Seven groups join in “new” Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission

Seven African and North American church leaders signed a Joint Ministry Agreement for AIMM June 3, in a meeting here convened by Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM) and facilitated by Mennonite World Conference staff. The signing ceremony, which created a new and innovative vehicle for mission, was a high point in the week of formal and informal international meetings.

The four African churches joining the new venture include the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso, the Mennonite Church of the Congo, the Evangelical Mennonite Church, Congo, and the Mennonite Brethren Church of the Congo. The three North American groups signing on included the Evangelical Mennonite Conference with head office in Steinbach, Man., Mennonite Mission Network, mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Church Canada Witness. MBMS International, mission agency of the Canadian and US Mennonite Brethren conferences, did not sign on at this time but indicated their intention to join shortly with particular interest in Burkina Faso

The inaugural meeting of the AIMM International Central Council is tentatively scheduled for Burkina Faso this fall, to be followed immediately by initial meetings of the various country-based Partnership Councils.

In the new arrangement, (1) final decisions concerning program and budget for each Partnership Council will be made in the country in which the mission activity is to occur rather than in a North American board room, (2) African conferences will be full and equal partners in these decisions, (3) North American congregations will benefit from a new accessibility to missionaries and African churches, and (4) the size and cost of the AIMM central office will be significantly scaled down.

—Dave Dyck