The Call - Winter 2022

The Call

ISSUE 20 WINTER 2022

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PASSING ON. THE BATON. Meet CMS people in mission raising up a new generation of leaders in Latin America

YOURINES L PRAYENRSIDE IS I e2 See pag

THE C ALL IN AC TIO N

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CH URCH MI SSI O NSO CI E T Y. O RG

WELCOME TO THE CALL AND PRAYERLINES Once again, in this issue we have combined The Call and Prayerlines into one magazine, as we are still working remotely amid COVID-19 restrictions.

We know that some of you prefer a smaller format Prayerlines separately, so we have made that available online. You can download and print a separate Prayerlines A5 booklet at churchmissionsociety.org/prayerlines

The Call is a platform for global voices in mission. In these pages you will get to know people from around the world who are joining in God’s mission in a variety of ways. By sharing their stories, insights and reflections, our goal is to give you hope that God is still at work in our world and to inspire you to put your own mission call into action, if not with Church Mission Society then with someone – but preferably with Church Mission Society.

IN THIS EDITION 04. Mission news

What God is doing through your prayerful support.

08. Passing on the baton

Church Mission Society Watlington Road, Oxford, OX4 6BZ

CMS people in mission raise up much-needed new leaders in Latin America.

T: +44 (0)1865 787400 E: info@churchmissionsociety.org

10. A wave of women

Indigenous women in northern Argentina have been putting love into action.

churchmissionsociety.org

14. A starter for ten

Meet some of the new students on the Africa-focused MA route with CMS.

/churchmissionsociety @cmsmission

If you have any comments about The Call, please contact the editor: the.call@churchmissionsociety.org. Opinions expressed in The Call are those of the authors, not necessarily of Church Mission Society.

Church Mission Society is a mission community acknowledged by the Church of England. Registered Company No. 6985330 and Registered Charity No.1131655 (England & Wales) and SC047163 (Scotland).

Also part of CMS: The South American Mission Society, Registered Company No. 65048 and Registered Charity No. 221328 (England & Wales); The Church Mission Society Trust, Registered Charity No. 1131655-1 (previously 220297). Registered and principal offices of all above entities: Watlington Road, Oxford, OX4 6BZ.

16. Mission spirituality

Ian Adams reflects on stability through times of change.

18. Building peace

Meet Bisoke Balikenga and read about peacebuilding in eastern DR Congo.

20. How to…

CMS advocates share how they keep mission on the agenda in their churches.

Cover photo: Local partners Agustin and Teresa Maidana train indigenous leaders in Paraguay

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WELCOME

A NEW YEAR, A RENEWED VISION FOR CMS A special message from CEO Alastair Bateman

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e long to see our world made new through the love of God as we follow Jesus to the edges.”

In 2022, this will become Church Mission Society’s new vision and I’m pleased to be able to share it with you now.

This vision is the culmination of many months of organisational soul-searching, prayer and conversation as I and several other several CMS staff worked together to discern CMS’s mission call for this generation. It was a process that involved considering the future, but also returning to CMS’s roots, recognising that in many ways we are still asking the same question as our founders in the late 18th century: “What is the best way to share the gospel with people?”

During this time, our attention was drawn to Mark 4, where, standing at the shores of Galilee, Jesus says to his followers, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.” So they get in a boat, face a powerful storm – which Jesus calms – and arrive in a place that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable for Jesus’ disciples. Suddenly they encounter an extremely disturbed man, who lashes out at Jesus – but Jesus calms

the storm within him, too. He asks his name, he heals him… and then he gives him work to do: tell others what has happened.

Jesus transforms a man known as a demoniac into a disciple. And he gives him a part to play in his unfolding story of redemption. As a result of this encounter, the good news of Jesus spreads further than his first disciples initially imagined.

When we look at Scripture, we see that Jesus spent much time with people on the fringes, and in the coming years, this is where CMS wants to be too. Our plan is to focus on making disciples of Jesus at the edges – in places and spaces where you might not expect to find them or where those who are there need our support. We want to get in the boat and join Jesus on extraordinary disciple-making ventures, both overseas and over the road. In a sense, this is not really a new call for CMS; those of you who have been part of the CMS family for a while know our heart for crossing

boundaries, yet in the 21st century we are thrilled to be able to say that we undertake this calling as part of a global community of brothers and sisters in Christ in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and the UK. In the coming months, you’ll see and hear us talking more about working among people at the edges.

To reflect our renewed vision, our look will be changing, and our publications will be reshaped. This is officially the last edition of The Call; the next magazine you get from us in spring will have a new title! I’ll be sharing more specifics about our vision and purpose then too.

We will also continue to produce our prayer guide. This magazine includes prayers for February; a guide for March and April will be sent at the end of February.

Speaking of prayer, we all know that navigating change can be challenging. Can I ask you to please pray with us as we look to move further towards the edges in our work? Pray that we will continue to trust God to lead us onwards.

“We long to see our world made new through the love of God as we follow Jesus to the edges.”

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MISSION NEWS

Green light for fostering service Late last year, ReVive, a charity running safe houses for abused and at-risk children in Brazil, was given permission to launch a fostering service in Olinda, northeast Brazil. Here, public awareness of fostering is very low.

Former mission partners Andy and Rose Roberts opened the first ReVive safe house in 2014 to house girls aged 5 to 15 who had suffered trauma and abuse. But Andy and

Rose’s vision was ultimately to close down their safe houses, believing children should be brought up in families.

Now, the team at ReVive is visiting churches and talking with the local community, searching for prospective foster families and hoping to begin placing children with families in March 2022.

Tony Lewry, ReVive’s fostering coordinator, says, “Our hope is that by 2030 fostering is the primary form of full-time childcare in the city.”

ReVive children’s charity in Brazil can begin a fostering service alongside safe houses

Bishop’s recognition for mission community

ultation to Over 100 people joined an online cons mber Nove in o Cong DR in explore peacemaking

Making new disciples in a context of conflict In November 2021 CMS-Africa and CMS organised a conference bringing together more than 100 participants to explore peacemaking and discipleship, focusing on DR Congo.

The conference was hosted by the peace centre started by CMS local partner Bisoke Balikenga in Bunia, eastern DRC (see p. 18).

Participants (including bishops, youth departments and Mothers’ Union representatives) joined from 4

the dioceses of Aru, Beni, Boga, Butembo, Goma and Kamango in DRC, as well as from the Anglican University of Congo and the peace centre. Representatives of a number of other organisations from the UK and Africa also participated.

The consultation provided an opportunity to share experiences and explore how best to move forward in disciple-making in conflict contexts as part of bringing God’s peace. With translation locally into French/Swahili and online into English, all participants could contribute and learn from one another, as well as pray together for peace.

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Missional community Sacred Space, started by mission partner Andrea Campanale (below), has been awarded a Bishops’ Mission Order (BMO) in Southwark diocese.

Andrea started Sacred Space Kingston in 2005 to reach out to people who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. Since then it has become a missional community and been recognised as a Fresh Expression of Church.

Sacred Space was awarded a BMO in November of last year, acknowledging and endorsing the community as part of the mission and ministry of the diocese (rather than just one parish), under the authority of the bishop.

In order to receive the BMO, Sacred Space created a constitution and electoral roll and ensured they were compliant with the diocese’s safeguarding policies.

Regional manager role relocates Early this year Joan Watsulu Busolo, based in Kenya, will start work as the new regional manager for Africa at Church Mission Society.

Following Steve Burgess’s retirement as regional manager last year, CMS sought a manager to be based in centraleastern Africa, to work with our people in mission, CMSAfrica and our other strategic partners more closely.

Joan brings a wealth of mission experience in Kenya, Uganda and throughout East Africa and is excited to serve and worship God through this role. She has lots of team and project management experience from serving in director roles in both faith-based and humanitarian organisations. She also has much experience of working in communities, including among indigenous peoples such as the Maasai, Kipsigis and Kisii of Kenya, as well as working with other international organisations.

CMS international director Andy Roberts comments, “All of this will help her bring people together, catalysing mission movements.”

NEWS IN BRIEF Congratulations!

Congratulations to mission partners Kailean and Kim Khongsai for winning a London Faith and Belief Community Award in the nature, health and wellbeing category for Wolf Fields, the community green space project they started and lead on behalf of A Rocha UK.

Pioneer training

A remarkable reunion A young woman in Sri Lanka, Ash (name changed), is among 20 young people who have received life-changing support over the last few months from Asia-CMS local partner Nevedita Jeevabalan (left) and the team at LEADS, an organisation that works extensively with abused or vulnerable children.

Ash grew up convinced she’d been an unwanted mistake. Her father died before she was born and her mother disappeared when Ash was just three months old. Ash grew up in a child development centre.

At age 17, Ash met staff from LEADS who remarkably were able to find her mother. Ash’s mother travelled miles on foot and spent the night in a bus station to get to Ash as soon as she could. “I didn’t abandon you – I lost you,” Ash’s mother explained. After Ash’s father died, her mother was forced to beg on the streets and one horrible day, she couldn’t find Ash. Realising that she hadn’t been unwanted, Ash’s heart filled with love.

During a stay at LEADS’s therapeutic centre, she learned valuable life skills and continued to grow in confidence.

Nevedita’s vital work is jointly supported through a partnership between CMS and Asia-CMS.

Congratulations are also due to the first cohort of the St Albans pioneer mission leadership training hub, who have received their letters of commissioning.

Meeting Jesus This summer, four young people in Ukraine were baptised in a local river, reports Alison Giblett, who has been a mission partner in the country for several years. We are also delighted to hear from local partner Wilhelm Polikhronidi in Tel Aviv that two men who have struggled with addiction have decided to become followers of Jesus. And in India, a local partner who must remain anonymous has shared with us that a man he has been meeting with has also decided to follow Jesus – this man’s wife had been praying for him for many years!

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WORLD VIEWS

FRAGILE APPEARANCE, YET DEEP RESILIENCE Mission associate Michelle Hays reflected on transitions as she and her family prepared to relocate from Colombia in late 2021.

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ast month, I found myself walking around one of the university campuses of Medellin, waiting for my daughter to come out of a science workshop.

While I meandered through the university grounds trying to make sense of the campus map, I noticed that many of their trees had orchids growing on the trunks. Colombia, and in particular the Andean region where we live, is famous for its thousands of orchid species, but I, being naturally black-thumbed, have never attempted to grow my own at home.

I mistakenly thought of them as ultra delicate, but I have learned that most tropical orchids have the capacity to be transplanted onto tree trunks and can even grow on things like power lines or telephone poles. So, while these orchids are deceptively fragile in appearance, they are curiously resilient in substance. As we are about to uproot ourselves again after eight years in one place, these adaptable orchids got me thinking about the transitions that have already begun for our family and that will pick up speed soon.

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To be honest, just saying the word “transition” out loud is like slipping a heavy lead vest of dread around my heart. If you could choose your future like choosing an entree on a restaurant menu, I would always order security and stability with a generous side of control, and steer completely clear of unpalatable menu items like uncertainty, waiting and trust. But here we are, at a crossroads again, sure that we are meant to go somewhere new. From what I remember about moving internationally, it involves a LOT of work, both in the practical task-list sense and in the unseen work of caring for everyone’s emotions. Amid all the work and general upheaval, there were two truths that carried us through our past moves: 1. We could build a home anywhere if God had led us there and 2. He would be faithful to care for us no matter where we landed in the world. I feel sure that these two truths will continue to anchor us.

In Medellin these last eight years, we have experienced God’s love, protection and provision in a place that at the outset was admittedly less

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familiar, less comfortable and less safe than anywhere else we had ever lived. Somewhere along the way, what was once simply foreign has become meaningful and beautiful to us. We have watched God work in the lives of our students and friends here, at times flabbergasted by their stories of how God has healed and sustained them in the face of difficulty, loss, poverty, injustice and/or violence.

Our own experiences paired with theirs solidify our confidence that God will continue to guide us and care for us in whatever our next steps may be. We trust that God will be our constant when everything else changes around us.

Already we find ourselves beginning the process of being transplanted, carefully pulling up the eight-year-old orchid roots that have held us in place here in Medellin. At the same time, we are dreaming about what it will look like to grow strong and healthy roots in a new ministry location.

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Prayerlines “I give thanks to our God for providing for CMS through the prayers and giving of people like you.”

FINANCE UPDATE

Finance and corporate services director Charlie Walker shares his last update before moving on to pastures new.

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his edition of the finance update comes with a heavy heart, because it will be my last. In mid-January I will be starting a new role as managing director of Clean for Good. I will continue to be in touch with CMS, as Clean for Good is a CMS-founded social enterprise.

I have loved my time at CMS, especially working with the wonderful finance and corporate services team and the senior leadership team. I am very grateful to them for the friendships we have developed.

I have also had the privilege of working closely with our trustees, and CMS has some of the best: their scrutiny, encouragement, wise counsel and sheer commitment to CMS have been a joy to observe and learn from.

In regards to the 2021–22 financial year, I am delighted to report it is going well and at this stage we are forecasting a small

surplus position on our general fund. This has come through a variety of factors, with donation income on budget, generous legacy gifts and some significant areas of expenditure being lower than budget because of COVID-19 restrictions. Our total income, including all restricted income, is also likely to be higher than in previous years – though some of this is ringfenced for specific upcoming costs.

I go with much to give thanks for – not least you, CMS’s incredible supporters, without whom we couldn’t be involved in all that you will read about in this magazine. While there are still medium and longer-term sustainability challenges, I give thanks to our God for providing for CMS through the prayers and giving of people like you.

T 1 FEBRUARY // NORTH AFRICA “Please pray for opportunities to bless and share good news with those we meet,” write mission partners M and H. Pandemic restrictions have eased and M is now taking out trekking groups in the mountains, H is able to have more contact with the women in their town and they are re-establishing contact with remote villages.

W 2 FEBRUARY // BRITAIN Pioneer Rachel Cama, doing a BA in pioneer mission leadership, moved to Shrewsbury in September with her husband Alex to start a Christian community house for prison leavers, partnering with the charity Yellow Ribbon. Pray for the right men to join the community: people who are motivated to commit to the community and who want to go deeper with Jesus.

Th 3 FEBRUARY // EGYPT Pray for local partner Habeeb Kamal as he travels to different villages in Egypt to preach the gospel. Pray for listening ears and open hearts, and for opportunities to open up for Habeeb to travel internationally again and share the gospel with more people.

F 4 FEBRUARY // NORTH AFRICA P and S relocated to North Africa last year, where they are supporting a network that equips Muslimbackground pastors and local Christians through discipleship and leadership training. As they continue to settle in to their new context, pray for new connections and language learning.

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COVER STORY Long-awaited training in northern Argentina took place in November 2021

WEEKEND FOCUS Saturday–Sunday 5–6 February

LOVE HEALS

By Anna and Chris Hembury, who are sharing life with people on the margins in Hull and helping them to connect with each other and God Before Christmas, a new lady, Sam (name changed), came to our sewing collective, Orts. She grew up in the care system, her home/relationship situation is hard and complicated, and she struggles daily with her mental health.

At Orts, she was seen, heard, accepted and gently welcomed into another kind of relating and being related to.

The third week Sam came, she said, “I didn’t want to come out today but I knew I had to come here. I’ve only been here twice, but it lifts my mood and it sees me through the rest of the week.” People need human connection, interdependence that allows each person to be both giver and receiver, to sense God’s shalom wholeness in the midst of our brokenness. Only love can heal.

Recently Sam said, “As it gets nearer to Wednesday I get real excited, and then when Wednesday comes and I come to Orts it feels like coming home.”

Pray for Sam, for God to continue PRAY to lead her into life and healing and wholeness, and for others to come to Orts and find 8 community there, too.

“THE FUTURE WILL DEPEND ON THEM” For many years people in mission have walked with indigenous groups in the Chaco regions of Paraguay and northern Argentina.

Now communities stand at a crossroads, as older leaders pass the baton to new leaders who will face new challenges.

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hese communities have been some of the most sidelined, with Amerindian Indigenous lands, culture and their very existence at risk. People in mission translated the Scriptures into local languages, but more importantly, they have valued these communities as those created in the image of God. Indigenous leaders have been raised up, including assistant bishops (and CMS local partners) Mateo Alto and Crisanto Rojas in northern Argentina. But in recent years a number of pastors have died, leaving an urgent need to raise up younger leaders.

Future leaders will need to navigate being part of two cultures, as connections are increasing between the indigenous and urban communities. Mission partner Nick

Drayson, Primate of the Anglican Province of South America and Bishop of Northern Argentina, notes, “There are some excellent young leaders who are fully conversant in both cultures, and the future will depend on them.”

LEARNING LEADERS In the Diocese of Northern Argentina, a mixture of Wichi leaders, mission partners and Criollos (local people of European descent) have been running training for those preparing for ministry as deacons or presbyters. However, leadership training was very difficult during

the pandemic with border closures and limited access to technology or mobile signal.

In late 2021, the trainers were finally able to run a session that had been planned for July 2020. Almost 100 students signed up from 23 congregations, most between 30 and 50 years old, a third women. Despite the gap between sessions, 31 (out of 41) students invited after completing three previous years of training returned.

The training sessions balance three areas – character, Bible knowledge and ministerial experience. However, mentoring from pastors in the students’ own contexts provides vital support for learning.

Mateo Alto has not been able to connect with leaders online or by phone very much. Yet this created space: “The lack of meetings has allowed me to pass lots of time talking to the younger leaders about their responsibilities and what it means to lead God’s church.”

BRIDGING THE GAP Gaps also exist between rural and urban church communities, and local partner Marcos Humacata represents a new generation looking to bridge them.

Marcos leads a team planting an urban church in Salta, northern Argentina. When Marcos arrived, his perception was that it was now time to focus on the urban church – given the long history of the church in the Chaco, he was under the impression that there wasn't much more to do there.

A visit to the Chaco shifted Marcos’s perspective as he met Christians and realised that they are all part of the same church. Initially when Marcos was

Agustin Maidana and Gustavo Flores train church leaders in indigenous communities

invited to join in delivering training for indigenous leaders, he questioned what he had to share with the indigenous church. Yet he has been reminded that, just as in the urban church, “We need people able to share life with love. Jesus shared, ate with and was among people, alongside them – he demonstrated love. We need to understand people’s way of life. What are the empty spaces in the heart where Jesus needs to be?”

Marcos reports, “I received feedback commenting on how important the training and fellowship time were for them, but even more seeing how the gospel creates a bridge that unites us despite differences.

“There are many challenges, but I see how our Lord uses this connection to strengthen ties between the indigenous church and our church here in the city.

It encourages us to serve and love each other as brothers in Christ.”

PROGRESS IN PARAGUAY In the Anglican Church in Paraguay, indigenous churches presented an official request to work towards indigenous leaders in more senior roles.

As a result the vicar general, CMS local partner Agustin Maidana, is training leaders in indigenous communities and aiming to see closer working between urban and indigenous churches.

Agustin, his wife Teresa and another couple, Gustavo and Rebecca Flores, have been travelling to four different communities to run training. Rebecca trains people to lead Sunday schools, while Teresa runs sewing workshops.

Agustin and Gustavo focus on leadership training: deacons,

Marcos Humacata, a church plan ter in Salta, builds bridges with indigenous chu rches

pastors and pastoral assistants participate in a three-year programme, with attendance recorded to ensure that participants have taken part in 95 per cent of the courses. Agustin explains that this is part of an emphasis on the importance of commitment from those who seek positions of leadership.

High levels of illiteracy pose a challenge. Of those currently training, around 95 per cent would not have finished primary school. Agustin observes that, “academic training as a base can help to bring about holistic change and vision for something wider.”

Another challenge is sharing the vision among urban churches, “for them to see the Chaco as a place for ministry and mission.” Agustin continues, “One of the main things the urban church could learn from indigenous churches is the simplicity and depth of their faith in the Lord.”

GIVE

CMS people in mission raising up new leaders need your support to meet this urgent need.

Go to churchmissionsociety.org/call2022 THE C A LL – W I NTE R 2 0 2 2

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FEATURE STORY

AN UNSTOPPABLE WAVE OF WOMEN Despite growing pressures, hundreds of indigenous women in northern Argentina are stepping up and putting their faith and love into action for their communities.

Left: Gathering in community is hugely important to AMARE members in northern Argentina Middle: AMARE women participated in the Mothers’ Union “No more 1 in 3” campaign Right: Radio broadcasts helped AMARE leaders to reach women during lockdowns

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hat began with a handful of women in northern Argentina in 2016 has grown into a movement of more than 1,400 women across the Anglican Province of South America.

AMARE (affiliated with the Mothers’ Union) seeks to gather women and help them experience and understand God’s love for them and how important they are, so that they can love and serve others. (Matthew 22:37–39 is foundational.) When women become members, they promise to bless their families, churches and communities, with forgiveness and reconciliation also integral.

AMARE stands for Anglican Women’s Group Renewed in the Spirit. The acrostic describes its mission: Animar, to encourage, Motivar, to motivate, Afirmar, to affirm, Renovar en el Espiritu, to be

renewed constantly in the Spirit.

The greatest membership is in rural areas of the Diocese of Northern Argentina, among the Indigenous peoples. One Wichi woman, Isabel Vilte (died 2020), was an inspirational leader who blazed the way for women.

Having been part of Mothers’ Union under the leadership of early missionaries, contact was re-established around parenting programmes. Women had continued to pray for their families, with many feeling perplexed about guiding their children in a changed world. Women were encouraged to begin AMARE as a local identity to give them a voice and dignity.

NAVIGATING A NEW WORLD Indigenous communities face increasing Western influence.

Families feel this acutely – parents

are ill-equipped to guide their children in interacting with unfamiliar culture and technology.

Traditional skills are sidelined and parents feel powerless as they see their way of life eroding.

AMARE parenting facilitators have held training groups to help parents navigate this new world.

One parent saw this as, “a great blessing… [it] helped us feel good, it shows us how to live each day as family.” Yet facilitators increasingly faced discouragement, with lack of time or acceptance in their communities, and challenges with materials and language limiting their effectiveness.

In early 2020, 28 AMARE training facilitators (including Wichi and Toba) came together to evaluate the training, consider the challenges facing families and develop strategies to increase outreach. Facilitators adapted the

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Prayerlines format to connect better – and some held a group soon afterwards that greatly helped parents and carers.

CHANGED CHALLENGES As 2020 progressed, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the picture for AMARE. Prior to the pandemic, gathering in community was hugely important and members undertook uncomfortable journeys, slept on church floors and accepted uncertainty around food to be together. So, with tight restrictions on movement and gathering, how could they connect?

Part of Mothers’ Union’s rhythm is a daily “wave of prayer”, and in the AMARE WhatsApp group (with members across South America), the pandemic prompted women to begin posting and praying daily at noon. This was intended to sustain the group during the early days of the pandemic, but it continues more than 18 months later.

To reach those they couldn’t visit, mission partner Catherine Le Tissier reported, “[women] are finding creative ways of keeping in touch and caring for those in need. Some of the AMARE women have started a regular radio programme, which allows for a much wider sharing of news, testimonies, teaching and prayer, and reaches all those not able to go out during lockdown.”

LOVE IN ACTION The heart of AMARE’s vision is to put love into action. Prior to the pandemic, as well as supporting parents, praying and visiting the sick, members ministered to young people caught in addiction, were involved with health education or helped in Sunday schools. The anniversary of AMARE each year sees members offering to pray for the authorities, and visiting local hospitals and schools.

During the pandemic, the enforcement of restrictions in some areas was heavy handed. Both indigenous and Criollo communities

feared being taken away to enforced quarantine in unsanitary conditions if it was suggested there was a case of COVID-19. Yet still, the women of AMARE found ways to put love into action. Sent to an isolation centre, Wichi members took time to talk and pray for others at the centre who were scared.

Catherine continues, “Two leaders of AMARE, Gladys and Mirna, continue to attend to all those who call at their door, looking for prayer or support. I am full of admiration for those amazing leaders who continue daily to be there for others, despite their own challenges.”

JOINING GLOBAL VOICES In addition to serving their own communities, the women of AMARE have joined with others around the world in the Mothers’ Union “No more 1 in 3” campaign against gender-based violence. In 2020, AMARE women spoke out on social media and took part in web-based events focused on eradicating abuse and violence towards women. In 2021 they reached out into their communities with prayer diaries and more information. Their presence was widely appreciated, as domestic violence and abuse are rife.

AMARE has also grown an online presence with a YouTube channel that is home to resources including workshops, Bible studies, Wichi hymns and prayers. Many members have mobile phones to access online material. In one rural Toba community, AMARE women gather around a laptop to listen to recorded workshops.

Catherine comments, “One great blessing of the pandemic has been the way the women have responded to keeping in contact, especially through prayer, across different countries and churches.” The wave continues from woman to woman across cultures and continent, as remarkable, resilient indigenous and urban women continue live out their name: “AMARE! I will love!”

M 7 FEBRUARY // BRAZIL Jimmy and Katia Rocks are sharing Jesus with others, church planting and helping others to do the same. They write that lots of people have been touched by the presence of God when their church has prayed for people out on the streets. Pray for many to come to know Jesus.

T 8 FEBRUARY // ARGENTINA After many years’ mission in Latin America, Nick Drayson and Catherine Le Tissier feel deeply about the need for future leadership in the Latin American Church. Pray for them as they look to hand over their roles of Primate of the Anglican Province of South America and provincial coordinator of AMARE in the next few years.

W 9 FEBRUARY // GUATEMALA Providing pastoral support for mission workers in Central America, mission partners Mark and Rosalie Balfour’s desire is to promote self-care and sustainable, healthy patterns of ministry. Pray that Mark and Rosalie live this out themselves as they invite others to step into this freedom.

Th 10 FEBRUARY // CHILE Alf and Hilary Cooper are based in Santiago, where Alf is auxiliary bishop and rector of Trinity Parish Church. Alf now holds a daily radio programme that has helped start a Christian conversation with the nation. Pray for God to use Alf’s words to help people connect with the gospel.

F 11 FEBRUARY // ARGENTINA Local partner and church youth leader Gaston Perez is involved in one-to-one discipleship within his church. Please pray for the church to keep growing in the area of discipleship, develop a network of disciples who make other disciples, and for the Lord to continue transforming their lives through his Word.

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A shepherd in a rural area, dedicated to his sheep

WEEKEND FOCUS Saturday–Sunday 12–13 February

THE GOOD SHEPHERD By local partner Luis Vizcarra, who coordinates pastoral care in Arequipa, Peru I currently have the opportunity to visit several different families in parts of rural Peru who are dedicated to raising sheep.

Every year, shepherds eagerly anticipate the lambing season. When the precious lambs are finally born, some of them are very sadly rejected by their mothers, even to the point of suffering painful blows from the mother’s legs.

When the shepherd sees that a lamb has been rejected by its mother, he takes care of the lamb by giving it milk from a bottle and giving it a sheltered place to rest. When it grows up, it knows the voice of the shepherd and listens to his call.

We have a heavenly father, who, like a caring shepherd, always welcomes us with open arms no matter who has rejected us and who, despite our sinful condition, wants us to grow up to know his voice and follow him.

Pray for Luis in his ministry, PRAY for him to show people the heart of the Good Shepherd through his pastoral work.

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13 Map: vecteezy.com © Orhun Evcimen

FEATURE STORY

A STARTER FOR TEN Meet some of the first students on CMS’s new MA pathway, focusing on the African Christian diaspora.

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hey hail from diverse locations: England, Kenya, South Africa and the US – but they’ve come together on CMS’s latest course offering, a new MA pathway that focuses specifically on African church history, Pentecostalism, African traditional religions and apt themes such as race, colonialism and migration.

At the beginning of this academic year the pathway launched with ten students, led

by Dr Harvey Kwiyani, who grew up in Malawi and has spent the best part of the last 20 years exploring the work of African Christians in the diaspora.

We asked four students to share what motivated them to pursue this area of study and their experience of the course so far.

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FERTILE GROUND FOR GROWTH Angela Rena Collins Itzstein returned to studying after a long gap. An African American living in the UK, in mid-2021, she was still dealing with her emotions from the events surrounding the unlawful killing of George Floyd in her home country. She felt challenged in her understanding of the motivations of such hatred and racism towards a group of people based on their skin colour. While digging deeper into Black Christian history on another course, she heard about CMS’s new MA pathway.

Intrigued, she signed up.

According to Angela, the diversity of the student cohort in thought, experience and background makes fertile ground for growth.

As children and families team leader, Angela is the first person of colour in leadership at her church, which is predominantly white. The importance of this isn’t lost on her. Her desire is for the Africa MA pathway to help build her background knowledge and confidence, and give the Church tools for healing, change and revelation of the love of Christ to help bridge the gap between races.

CRUCIAL CONTEXTUALISATION One of Angela’s classmates is Rachel Karanja, a CMS local partner involved in holistic mission and community transformation through a variety of projects in Kenya.

Rachel was interested when she saw the new MA pathway on

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Top left to right: Angela Rena Collins Itzstein, Gowi Odera, Rosie Hopley and Rachel Karanja are part of the first cohort of students on CMS’s Africafocused MA route

14–18 FEBRUARY 2022

Prayerlines CMS’s website, but she didn’t think she would pass the entry interview, nor could she afford the fees. But she stepped out in faith and applied.

She passed her interview and God provided the money – before she knew it, she had begun her studies, joining online from Kenya.

Rachel finds CMS’s African MA pathway, unique in its African contextualisation, is a good fit for African-background learners, having been designed specifically with them in mind. This makes it easy for students to apply what they have learned to their own contexts on the African continent and across the diaspora. Starting at the beginning, the first module addresses the foundation of African Christianity, belief and practices – something Rachel would love both established and up-and-coming African theologians to be grounded in.

“ISN’T CHRISTIANITY THE WHITE MAN’S RELIGION?” Rosie Hopley was asked this question during her former work with women in prostitution in Bristol. She signed up for CMS’s new MA pathway in part because she feels she needs the tools to build a compelling response.

Like Angela, Rosie is also returning to formal study after a long gap. For over 30 years, Rosie has been receiving teaching from Western and European-/US-focused teachers and contexts. However, based in Bristol, where almost 200 different countries of birth

are represented and close to 100 different languages are spoken, she recognises a need to hear more Black, African and Middle Eastern voices and allow them to shape her theological learning too.

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY Gowi Odera, currently involved in church planting, heard about the course from Harvey himself.

For six years, Gowi and Harvey had already been in conversation about gathering people who have been serving and leading Christian movements and inviting them to share their experiences. As the MA pathway took shape and became a reality, Harvey kept Gowi informed and encouraged him to apply.

Now, a couple of months in, Gowi finds his studies have stirred up a curiosity that has started him on a journey of discovery and reflection on African expressions of Christianity past and present.

For Gowi, the best things about the course are the varied content, the teaching and the class interaction – people who are serving in African contexts now have a space where they can share and learn together.

Perhaps best of all, Gowi is already applying what he has learned in his own context.

M 14 FEBRUARY // S. EAST ASIA K and T and their four children returned to the UK last year after several years in South East Asia, where they worked to build up the church and served in prison ministry. Pray for the family as they readjust, for a house and the right job for T.

T 15 FEBRUARY // SOUTH ASIA Mission partners B and K are working to raise awareness of and prevent human trafficking. As they train local organisations in safeguarding, pray for the training to be effective and help people to keep safe those who are vulnerable. Pray, too, for the Holy Spirit’s clear guidance for B and K.

W 16 FEBRUARY // NEPAL Late last year, Andrea and Andrew Young returned to Nepal and can again provide pastoral care to United Mission to Nepal workers in person. As they re-establish the flat below theirs as a space for prayer, pray for it to become a useful place for time with God, retreat, counselling and community.

Th 17 FEBRUARY // SRI LANKA

JOIN

Could CMS’s pioneer training be for you?

If God has called you to do something a bit different, we can offer a dynamic, supportive learning community (in person and online), where experienced practitioners are ready to help equip you for groundbreaking and sustainable mission. Find out more at pioneer.churchmissionsociety.org

Local partner Russell de Alwis is church relations and training coordinator at LEADS, an agency that works with abused and traumatised children. In a time of ongoing pandemic restrictions, Russell asks for prayer as the team at LEADS continue their work of raising awareness and stopping child abuse before it happens.

F 18 FEBRUARY // S. EAST ASIA A and L, working in addiction recovery and special educational needs provision respectively, write that things have been opening up again after pandemic lockdowns. As church and Celebrate Recovery groups resume meeting, pray for people’s hearts to be ready and open to what God wants to do.

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MISSION SPIRITUALITY

By Ian Adams, mission spirituality adviser at Church Mission Society

STAY WITH US Stability and momentum . through change WEEKEND FOCUS Saturday–Sunday 19–20 February

STAY WITH US

By Ian Adams, mission spirituality adviser at Church Mission Society The Emmaus story is such a gift, particularly whenever we are feeling perplexed or disoriented.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:28–29 (NRSV) In response to their request, the asyet-unrecognised risen Jesus goes in to stay with the disconsolate disciples.

There will be days and seasons when all we can pray is “Stay with us.” And this will be enough. His presence will be all we need. The risen Christ will come in and will stay. So, may “Stay with us” be your prayer today – for yourself, for others, for the world.

Risen Jesus, stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.

Amen Email: ian.adams@ churchmissionsociety.org 16

I

t can feel as if the ground is constantly shifting beneath our feet. Culture and climate, politics and work, church and relationships – all seem to be in states of rapid and continuous change.

This can be a disconcerting experience. And it is tempting to look back and yearn for times past. To take the road back to where we have been rooted before. To hunker down, and to fold in on ourselves.

But instinctively we know as Christ-followers that such a path is rarely the one to be taken.

Rather, we are called, as beloved of God, to live with forward momentum, open-handed, open-hearted, as some small gift to the world. To be people at home in changing circumstances.

How then are we to live when the ground is constantly shifting beneath our feet?

The Emmaus story (Luke 24:13–35) may be a guide to us in this task.

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognising him.

Luke 24:13–17 (NRSV) Cleopas and another unnamed disconsolate follower of Jesus are taking the road back. Seeking some reassuring stability, returning to the place they know.

Going back to the familiar.

But unrecognised by them, the risen Jesus draws alongside them on the road.

How encouraging for us. Whatever path we are on, whatever direction, however downcast we may be, we can imagine the Christ drawing alongside us, asking if we might allow him to walk with us, to talk with us.

The disciples tell him their story. It is one of loss and anguish. And a key moment comes when they declare: But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…

Luke 24:21 (NRSV) That phrase “But we had hoped” conveys so well the pain of enforced and unwelcome change. And its presence in the Gospel story as told by Luke suggests that it is an important principle for us to note and speak of our discomfort. The non-appearance of whatever we had hoped for is not to be ignored. It needs to be recognised, spoken of and allowed space to be.

When that happens, in trust, a new thing becomes possible.

The story unfolds, the stranger opening up the deeper truths of the events the disciples had witnessed.

The disciples are drawn in; we can sense that their view of what has happened may be changing.

But what will happen when they reach their home?

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:28–29 (NRSV) Even as they come to the destination that they imagined would give them stability, the disciples

intuitively understand that they need another source of stability. The place is not the thing. The stranger’s presence is what they need.

Stay with us.

And he stays with them.

And it is as he breaks bread with them that he is revealed to them as the risen Christ. He is their source of stability, their source of life.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him…

Luke 24:30–31a (NRSV) In times of great change – even of loss and of anguish – our source of stability and life can ultimately only be the risen Christ. Other things bring comfort of course. Place, people, work and recreation are great gifts and need to be enjoyed and celebrated. But this story suggests that as Christians it is ultimately the risen Jesus who we need – his words burning within us, his presence sustaining us.

It is important to note here that the Emmaus story implies that the risen Christ’s presence may usually be experienced as fleeting. … and he vanished from their sight.

Luke 24:31b (NRSV) A glimpse of the risen Christ, the story implies, must usually suffice. That will be enough. Having recognised their source of stability, the disciples sense renewed momentum.

That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem…

Luke 24:33a (NRSV) Their life of following Jesus enters into a new era – that of witness to the risen Christ. They tell of what has happened to them on the road, and of how he was revealed to them as bread was broken and shared.

How then are we to live when the ground is constantly shifting beneath our feet, when all seems to be in a state of rapid and continuous change?

As tempting as it may be to return to our sources and places of comfort, the Emmaus story suggests that the risen Christ alone who can provide us with the stability and momentum for which we yearn.

Unseen he draws alongside each of us. May our prayer – however unknowing – be one of faith.

Stay with us.

Images taken by Ian Adams

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APPEAL FOLLOW UP

“THE DEVIL DOES NOT LIKE PEOPLE TO BUILD PEACE…” Thank you to all who gave to our Christmas appeal.

We are thrilled that you gave over £46,500 to help CMS people in mission like Bisoke Balikenga in DR Congo to share the peace of Jesus even amid violent conflict.

W Photo: Bisoke Balikenga has led peacebuilding seminars for church leaders, displaced people and local government leaders

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orking with the Anglican Church in Congo, Bisoke started a peace centre in Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri province in eastern DRC. Ituri is a region rocked by tribal fighting.

Thousands of people have fled attacks in their villages and travelled to Bunia in search of relative safety – with 200,000 displaced people now in the area.

They are in desperate need of food, water and shelter, and are deeply traumatised. Many women and girls who arrive at the peace centre have suffered sexual violence, and been rejected by their families as a result.

As the fighting spreads, the peace centre is now at capacity.

Bisoke and his team provide clean

drinking water, food, soap and help with medical bills where they can. Trained counsellors also help people cope with their trauma.

People like Regina, who lost eight children before her remaining daughter was kidnapped. Through counselling and prayer, Bisoke says, “She now prays for others, and is really transformed even though life is not easy for her.”

Bisoke reports that people are finding faith in God, even amid turmoil. In late 2021 Bisoke was preparing to baptise 20 people, with the bishop coming to confirm 22 more.

Bisoke says, “Praise the Lord for his work – even though we have great challenges, God is transforming his people. We are happy that more are giving their

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lives to Jesus.”

Bisoke comments that those attending a discipleship course each week “are vulnerable people and they are still suffering, but everyone is taking the decision to do God’s work”. As they grow in faith, people are improving relationships with their families and then others in the community.

21–25 FEBRUARY 2022

Bisoke is also concerned for the next generation – and in August he led a service specifically for children at the peace centre. He tells us, “The children were so happy it was their day. Many of them are orphans whose parents have been killed….

They have seen many bad things and they went through our programme of counselling. Now they love to come to church. They sang about building peace and some of them gave testimonies, which was so hard.

They asked all the people to love one another.

“Hearing what the orphaned children were saying through their songs, the adults were moved to tears. The children asked the adults, ‘Please, we need peace in order to have a positive future. Adults need to make peace, and we need to pray and trust God to give us peace.’

Finally they said we cannot have peace when we still don’t love one another. They would like to visit other children with their message of peace and unity.”

Bisoke is committed to equipping people who have undergone trauma and violence to break the cycle and work for peace. At special peacebuilding seminars, he says, “More people came to Jesus and asked forgiveness. The seminars help participants not to pursue revenge, but they are going to forgive those who did bad to them. Some are saying that they will not seek revenge but they are going to build peace. We need to pray for them.”

Early in November local government people from different tribes came together for a peacebuilding seminar. Bisoke comments, “Now we can see our centre is not only for the Anglican Church but for the whole community.”

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The community have suggested that a radio station would be a good way to reach more people with a message of peace.

Bisoke is not alone in seeking peace in this area. In November, CMS-Africa and CMS organised a multilingual online consultation involving over 100 people from the dioceses of Aru, Beni, Boga, Butembo, Goma and Kamango, as well as from the peace centre, the Anglican University of Congo and local and international organisations.

The theme was “making new disciples in a context of conflict”, and participants considered how to work together to raise up followers of Jesus who will work for desperately needed peace.

Even in seeming darkness, Bisoke is seeing the hope of Jesus and shares, “We are so happy that more displaced people are becoming the tools of building peace and talking about the Word of God.” With fighting coming closer and closer to the centre, he says, “We are running more risks because the devil does not like people to build peace with the help of our God. God is helping us a lot.”

With your continuing support, CMS people in mission can continue to work together for peace in communities torn apart by conflict, helping people to reflect Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

GIVE

CMS people in mission continue to share the peace of Jesus. Help them today at churchmissionsociety.org/call2022

Prayerlines M 21 FEBRUARY // DR CONGO In November, CMS and CMS-Africa held a two-day online consultation on making disciples in conflict zones, bringing together over 100 participants from churches, NGOs and universities as well as CMS. Pray for the group to learn from what was shared and move forward in disciple-making in conflict contexts as part of bringing God’s peace.

T 22 FEBRUARY // UGANDA Tom and Verity Clare are based in Arua, where GP Tom works to improve the health of locals and refugees while Verity mainly focuses on looking after their four sons. Pray for God’s direction for Tom with regard to improving chronic disease management and community health education.

W 23 FEBRUARY // SUDAN For over 12 years, politics has divided Nubian and Arabic church communities in the Diocese of Kadugli. Local partner Hassan James, assistant bishop, is bringing the communities together through peacebuilding workshops. Pray for open hearts and for the Church to lead the way in working towards peace.

Th 24 FEBRUARY // DR CONGO Patricia and Peter Wyard are based in Aru, where Patricia, a palliative care doctor, teaches and supports local medical staff, while Peter teaches students preparing for ministry and offers training in Aru diocese. Pray for Patricia as she focuses on raising the profile of and strengthening palliative care.

F 25 FEBRUARY // UGANDA “Pray for the New Hope trauma healing group trained by ACROSS,” writes local partner Sam Malish, who runs trauma healing groups in refugee camps, distributes trauma healing content through audio players and equips others to run trauma healing groups. Pray for the trauma healing content to reach those 19 who need it.

HOW TO…

KEEP MISSION ON THE AGENDA Across the UK, CMS church advocates work very hard to keep local and global mission high on the agenda within their churches. Our church relations team spoke to some advocates to find out how they do that.

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MS advocates work in different ways in different contexts – but always to enable congregations to understand better what God is doing in mission around the world.

BERYL HOWARD ST STEPHENʼS HIGHTOWN, LIVERPOOL

WEEKEND FOCUS Saturday–Sunday 26–27 February

SEND A PRAYER We invite you to write to us with a prayer request and we will count it our privilege to pray for you: info@churchmissionsociety.org

M 28 FEBRUARY // EGYPT Mission partners Joe and Sarah are sharing the gospel in the Arab world through church ministry, teaching English and training teachers in a local school run by the church. They write that through recent events, the church has been able to include Muslim background believers as part of the wider Christian community. Pray for these seeds God has sown to bear fruit and for more open hearts.

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When Ruth Hulser, a former CMS mission partner, retired three years ago, Beryl’s church was keen to link with another CMS mission partner.

After a time of discernment, they carefully prepared and shared with the congregation about Olinda, Brazil, where Becky and Evaldo Reid Rodrigues seek to give vulnerable girls a hope and a future. Having established greater understanding about their location, St Stephen’s linked with Becky and Evaldo. Each week an update on their work is included in the parish online notice sheet and they are included most weeks in the intercessions at church. In this way, the focus on the work is continuous, and people feel included. Keeping mission on the agenda is seen as a part of the church’s culture, so people can see and understand more about God’s world.

ROBIN DAWSON ST THOMAS’ BRAMPTON, CHESTERFIELD Robin Dawson, a long-term supporter of CMS, is part of St Thomas’ mission committee, who seek to bring mission into the congregation’s focus every second month. This may involve a visiting speaker, but currently the mission spotlight is on different aspects of CMS’s work, including mission partners Paul and Sarah Tester in Peru, with whom the church is linked.

In addition to visits from Paul and Sarah, the mission committee has organised mini events to encourage people to engage with mission. On one occasion they held a Prayer and a Pint for Mission event at the church centre’s coffee shop. They have also organised a Christmas tree festival, with a tree featuring the work of CMS. And one year the children from a local school made Christmas decorations, which they exchanged with decorations made by children from a school in Lima.

The congregation took the link to heart, and when Jenny Green moved back to the UK in 2014 to continue working with CMS in Bradford, they were glad to continue their support. The urban context of Bradford was as much of a crosscultural window for Fishbourne, a leafy rural village, as Uganda had been. on When Jenny Green mpt Bra ’ mas Tho St at d The mission noticeboar connections sion mis retired in 2020, Jenny of file pro the e rais helps to (Blamire) approached the PCC about supporting new CMS mission partners. They agreed to begin a link with Daniel and JENNY BLAMIRE Sarah Brito Medeiros, working at the ST PETER & ST MARY ReVive project in Brazil, which Jenny FISHBOURNE, CHICHESTER had read about in CMS publications – beginning a new chapter of mission.

Jenny Blamire first got involved And how has the link impacted the in supporting global mission while church?

Jenny reflects, “When we were worshipping at a large church linked raising funds to build a new church with partners around the world. Jenny hall, it seemed an impossibly large and her husband then moved to St amount. But Jenny Green came to visit Peter & St Mary Fishbourne, a much and told us about smaller church with how they had raised no global mission all the funds needed links. After asking to build Potter’s around she found Village medical that there would be centre. I thought, interest in supporting ‘if God can do it in mission in Uganda.

Uganda, he can do it Jenny felt CMS would here,’ and he did!

Within two or three be a good match and was delighted years we had the money we needed.” when the PCC were enthusiastic about

“… if God can do it in Uganda, he can do it here”

linking with CMS mission partner Jenny Green, who was then working at Potter’s Village, Uganda.

Jenny Blamire is the CMS advocate at St Peter & St Mary Fishbourne, Chichester

DIANA STAMMERS BRADWELL CHURCH, MILTON KEYNES Until recently, Bradwell Church has been linked with CMS mission partners K and T, who have just returned to the

UK from many years of service in South East Asia. Bradwell are committed to both local and global mission, with a particular heart for Christians facing persecution. They always want to make sure their priorities are well balanced between providing practical support for people in need and seeing that God’s Word is spread through mission.

Diana says that in these mission partners, her church felt that they were supporting people who, through action and teaching, were bringing the gospel into the community where they were.

And for the Bradwell congregation, “sending” their mission partners was a way of expressing their faith and help, as part of a much bigger chain of support. It was a way for the congregation to be a part of very important ministry. In turn, through link letters, emails and visits, they were inspired and encouraged to know how God is working in another part of his world.

CONCLUSION So, what does it take to keep local and global mission on the agenda in your church? A heart for mission and a proactive approach. Our advocates share a clear conviction that God is at work here and everywhere, and they encourage their congregations to participate in that work – in prayer, practical action or financial support – right where they are.

JOIN IN

If you would like to know more about being a CMS advocate in your church, contact the church relations team at churchrelations@churchmissionsociety.org

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COMMUNITY NEWS CHURCH MISSION SOCIETY STAFF AND PEOPLE IN MISSION CHANGES CMS STAFF CHANGES

PEOPLE IN MISSION CHANGES

WELCOME TO:

MISSION PARTNERS ENDING SERVICE:

Faith Ellis, communications and social media assistant (September); Corrina Earl, conferencing and reception assistant (September); Colette Elliott, HR and recruitment assistant (November)

D and H have ended service after 22 years at the Christian Medical College hospital, Vellore, in India.

H has headed up the development office, raising funds for the hospital and training administrative staff.

D, a rehabilitation physician, has been training staff and students and supporting people with disabilities.

CHANGES:

Ray Alexandre stopped working as conferencing and reception assistant but continues with communications support (September)

Catriona and Stephen Bennett, with Hannah and Rachel, have served for four years at Gahini Hospital, Rwanda.

FAREWELL TO:

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2022 At High Leigh, Hoddesdon, Herts

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MISSION PARTNERS BEGINNING SERVICE:

Lindsey and Steve Poulson will be returning to continue serving in Honduras, reaching out to young people at risk.

Andy and Kati Walsh are heading to Brazil, where they will work alongside Jimmy and Katia Rocks in outreach in disadvantaged communities in Florianopolis.

I and S will be moving to South East Asia, where they will be engaged in church and community work.

Find out more about the CMS community at churchmissionsociety.org

PMC TASTER DAYS 2022 Get a flavour of the spiritual practices and practical tools involved in Partnership for Missional Church.

Wednesday 9 Feb 10am–12pm Thursday 10 Feb 7–9pm

For more info please contact Jane Fulford, T: 01189 695039, Mob: 07764 947495 E: jane.fulford@btinternet.com

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K and T and their family are ending service after 16 years serving in South East Asia, doing church work and engaging in prison ministry.

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David and Heather Sharland: David has served as an agriculturalist for 40 years in Tanzania, DR Congo, South Sudan and Uganda. Heather joined him in 1999, having already worked in Sudan, Swaziland, Thailand and Kenya, and has been

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Hannah Burnham, key relationships manager (September); Leanne Saint, church mission project manager (October); Bruna Chiaratti, HR administrator (October); John Orchard, church relations adviser (December); Charlie Walker, finance and corporate services director (January)

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doing community health work.

For more info visit: churchmissionsociety.org/events

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PIONEER MISSION LEADERSHIP TRAINING

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IN-PERSON ONLINE TUESDAYS 24 MAY AND 21 JUNE 2022 MONDAY 28 FEB 2022 AT CMS HOUSE ONLINE VIA ZOOM: 1–2.30PM

Zoom link will be sent out once booking has been confirmed.

10AM–1PM

Booking is essential. Coffee at the start and a bagged lunch provided.

TO BOOK EMAIL: pioneer@churchmissionsociety.org 24

pioneer.churchmissionsociety.org