CHICAGO, IL (November 17, 2006) \u2013 A historic and first-ever meeting took place two weeks ago, involving the mission departments of the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden (MCCS) and the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).
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\nRepresentatives of the two groups presented overviews of their respective mission projects and activities, as well as the mission goals and objectives of the two organizations.<\/p>\n
World mission of the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden was represented by Bertil Svensson, mission director; Emanuel Furbacken, regional secretary for the Middle East; Rut Lind\u00e9n, development cooperation controller; Bertil Wid\u00e9n, regional secretary for Europe and Latin America; Peter W\u00e4rnelid, regional secretary for Africa; and Els-Marie Carlb\u00e4cker, development cooperation coordinator.<\/p>\n
The ECC Department of World Mission was represented by Curt Peterson, executive minister; Byron Amundsen, director of administration and finance; Dave and Wendy Mark, regional coordinators for Latin America; Dave Husby, who with his wife, Ronna, serve as regional coordinators for Asia; Dave and Judy Dolan, regional coordinators for Chinese Ministries; and Pete Ekstrand, who with his wife, Cindy, serve as regional coordinators for Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been meetings between the directors of world mission for both churches, as well as various occasions when different regional leaders have met, but this was the first planned meeting of the entire team of world mission leaders,\u201d said Ekstrand.<\/p>\n
Peterson and Svensson provided overviews of world mission initiatives of their respective denominations, sharing information about their organizations and sharing their respective world mission goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mission statement of Covenant World Mission is to facilitate intercultural mission around the world and partner with churches and international believers,\u201d Peterson shared during one session.<\/p>\n
Svensson noted that his world mission statement calls for \u201ca church for all aspects of life that offers redemption and healing through the encounter with Jesus Christ.\u00a0 We have four main focuses: evangelism, church development, peace and reconciliation, and the building of a just society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the presentations by the two world mission leaders, the regional coordinators of each denomination provided brief overviews of the ministries within their regions. ECC regions include Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Chinese Ministries; MCCS regions include Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Discussion sessions followed, addressing key questions and issues involving mission activities around the world:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is the nature of partnership in the world today?
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What does it mean to a partner with a national church?
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The phenomena of local church initiatives and their impact on our ministries.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strategies for holistic development – what we are currently involved in, and how these work out in different areas.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The possibility of a collaborative strategy in some areas of the world, and issues to consider if this were to be pursued.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is the impact on people\u2019s lives – how have lives changed?<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was an outstanding meeting and I learned a lot about what the Swedish church is doing,\u201d Ekstrand said. \u201cMeeting the MCCS world mission coordinator for Africa provided the opportunity for us to discuss strategies we are pursuing in Africa, as well as the challenges that each of us face \u2013 many of which are the same. We also considered areas about which we would like to correspond in the future and brainstorm about bigger-picture issues of providing an opportunity for the leaders of the Covenant churches in Africa to meet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this meeting, I learned of the upcoming celebration of the 125th anniversary of the MCCS\u2019s ministry in Congo (Kinshasa), scheduled for January 12-14,\u201d Ekstrand continued. \u201cAs a result of meeting my Swedish counterpart, we will be able to work together to connect Congolese immigrant populations in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a really important time to come together and gain deeper understanding,\u201d Husby added. \u201cThe opportunity to dig deeper was significant. I realize that they want to work with us and we with them. Their emphasis on peace and reconciliation and focus on justice is a challenge to us to learn from them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The aspect of cooperation was stressed by Mark as well, who finds it helpful to have counterparts in the Swedish church join in discussions with national churches that will help everyone through difficulties in relationships. \u201cThe same for when we join in some of their discussions with national churches,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
An encouraging enthusiasm for mission caught Peterson\u2019s attention during the meeting. \u201cI saw a desire for growth in the Swedish Covenant Church, and I think it is a new day, a great opportunity to be supportive of each other,\u201d Peterson reflected. \u201cWe want to keep in touch, talk frequently with each other, help each other through challenging relationships, and seek to learn together how to do mission better. I appreciated the positive response in the engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Svensson echoed similar sentiments. \u201cThe historic meeting between the leaders of the international mission of the Evangelical Covenant Church and Mission Covenant Church of Sweden was for better coordination around the world, both regarding where we work and how we work. It is good to learn from each other and while doing that, we give a good example to others on how to build the Kingdom of God together. During my years as mission director of MCCS, I have had good contacts with my colleagues in ECC, a contact that has improved over the years. Through the meeting in Chicago, I was happy to see that also the regional coordinators from both churches were able to experience the same fellowship. From MCCS, we want to thank our hosts and God for this historical event which is not the last, but the beginning of an exciting future together in mission.\u201d<\/p>\n