churchmissionsociety
The CMS Story 2013
Hope Grows 2
Dear Friends, How should we view the past? If we believe in the goodness of our God then there is only one way to look at it, and that is with thankfulness. We don’t ignore the challenges we in CMS have faced this last year; not least we continue to face significant financial pressures. But as we look back on the last year there is so much for which we must thank our God: the significant numbers of people being trained on the pioneer mission programme; the impact that our mission partners, mission associates and Timothy mission partners go on making in often very challenging circumstances; the growing impact of our interchange partners: CMS Africa and Asia CMS; the many, many members of the CMS community committed daily to living out a life of mission; and the great generosity of so many individuals,
churches and trusts, which makes it all possible. This story of God’s goodness and faithfulness in the past should also fire us with hope for the future. Hope is growing across the world as the kingdom of God advances in so many ways. In Fear and Trembling, Søren Kierkegaard writes that, “Hope is a passion for the possible.” It’s that passion for what is possible - for the coming of the kingdom, in the power of the Holy Spirit - which drives us forward in CMS. So read this annual review with gratitude, and as you do so let it turn your thankfulness into growing hope: “for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
“Hope is a passion for the possible.”
Reverend Canon Philip Mounstephen, Executive Leader
A bear, a chair and a decade of care Returning mission partner Alison Fletcher reflected on 10 years of mission with Kiwoko Hospital in Uganda, where she helped build up the physiotherapy department:
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February 2013
Little Charles, acutely Alison with malnourished, lay in bed doing Mike, “a m an to be pr oud of” nothing. I took him a teddy bear. Two days later, he was talking to the bear and pretending to tuck it into bed. It was an eye-opener, seeing support and medical care, where they are how play gave him energy. This little boy free of judgement. They have humbled inadvertently changed the shape of the and challenged me; I realise how much physio work at Kiwoko. I witnessed many loss they live with every day. But in the young lives transformed through play. midst of this there is incredible strength One special group is the Afaayo kids’ club and hope. – HIV positive children. One day in 2003, Before I left, I visited Mike, one of the first we took them out to play for two hours to move from the teen clinic into the adult and quickly ended up with a monthly kids’ clinic. Mike lives alone. The only furniture club for up to 70 children and teenagers. in his main room is a chair and wooden Kiwoko now cares for HIV positive babies bench. It would be easy to feel sorry for through to adulthood. I hope that one of him. But a few years ago, he didn’t have my lasting contributions will be that these any furniture, was struggling to know what young ones have a place to come for to do with his life and saw little hope.
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February 2013
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x Today, he is a trained carpenter. The chair was made by his hands and I was delighted to have the honour of sitting on it. When I think of Mike, I don’t think of poverty, but a young man to be proud of. I have not been exempt from transformation. Living and working within one community makes it impossible to have a ‘work’ and a ‘home’ persona and I have learned the value of one flowing into the other. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn this firsthand.
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Amazing technicolour in council estate CMS members Russell and Sue Price are part of Church of the Holy Family in Blackbird Leys, Oxford. In 2012, a church member suggested they put on a community production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. “Many thought she was barmy, but we saw an opportunity,” said the Prices. In the end, more than 50 people from the council estate participated in the play. “Most had never acted and many had chequered pasts. We became like family.” Since the production in February 2013, the Prices have seen some cast members join the church, be baptised and continue in friendship. “We’ve discovered God has been working in these people’s lives for many years. Our job is just to join the dots and make the picture whole.” ch
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Ann-Marie, left, on
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It’s not every day that a CMS mission partner has a speaking engagement at the United Nations. Yet that’s precisely where Ann-Marie Wilson’s battle to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) brought her in March 2013. Ann-Marie spoke at the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women about the role faith groups can
play in stamping out FGM. She believes the church must help dispel some of the myths about FGM, which in certain countries is actually blessed by churches. FGM is a ritual currently practised in around 40 countries (28 of them in Africa) and affects three million girls and women each year. Ann-Marie pioneered 28 Too Many, a charity dedicated to eliminating FGM.
March 2013
Mission partner to UN:“Let’s end FGM”
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April 2013
Syrian refugee family baptised in Egypt After a missile struck and destroyed most of their street, a Syrian family of five fled their home to Egypt. There they found new life and were baptised at an Egyptian church led by CMS mission partners. “The family showed up at our church early in the year with nothing but a few bags,” said mission partner Adel. “They were welcomed into our congregation and we helped them find a flat and schools for the three children.” A few months later, the whole family asked to be baptised. Adel said: “What makes us excited is their love for God and their passion for other Syrian refugees. We would like to enable them to minister to refugees in whatever way God leads.” A new mission among Syrian refugees has now begun, with this family at the helm.
Archbishop of Canterbury becomes patron of CMS Archbishop Justin Welby said he would be “honoured” to follow in his predecessor Rowan Williams’ footsteps in this way. It was on a CMS placement in Kenya in 1974 that Archbishop Justin’s well-known love of Africa was kindled, according to biographer Andrew Atherstone. 6
Does it really matter... On 12 April 2013, CMS’s 214th birthday, we released a new film that asked, “Does it really matter if the world knows Jesus?” and answered that question through the telling of stories of CMS people in mission in Africa, Asia, the UK and South America.
Colette Barker and Faith Daughtery ran the Brighton marathon on 14 April, raising more than £1,500 for CMS mission. When asked why she chose to run for CMS, Faith, 18, said, “CMS might mean a future for me as I’m thinking of going into mission overseas.” Colette added, “I prayed while running, knowing the money I’m raising will help spread the gospel around the world.” Huge congratulations and thanks to all those who took on sponsored challenges and events for CMS during 2013.
April 2013
Young runners go the distance for mission
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May 2013
Church’s love for people with leprosy points community to Christ A church’s love for people with leprosy and blindness drew a community to Jesus in Tanzania. It all started when the pastor, Stephen Mbithi, attended a Vision Conference organised by CMS Africa. There he was challenged to take action to help his vulnerable neighbours. “Disabled people in this society aren’t welcomed,” explained CMS Africa director Dennis Tongoi (pictured above, left). “They are left to fend for themselves. The Arusha community has many people suffering from leprosy and sight problems – some people doubt they are fully human.”
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Pastor Stephen encouraged his church members to start seed projects – helping these marginalised people with household chores, growing food and other tasks. The community took notice. Dennis shared the story of a local child who died. Local people were astounded when Pastor Stephen’s church offered to cover the medical and burial expenses. “This gesture had a huge impact. Many asked how they could give their lives to Christ.” Vision Conferences are part of the Samaritan Strategy, which CMS Africa uses to mobilise African churches to bring about transformation in their communities using resources they already have.
Mum and daughter baptised in prison
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A young woman imprisoned for drug trafficking and her two-yearold daughter found freedom in Jesus behind bars in a Uruguay prison. This was thanks to the work of Timothy mission partners Rev Gonzalo and mily a Leticia Soria and their team at f ia or
La Trinidad Church, who visit the local prison weekly. “Baptism in prison was a unique experience,” Gonzalo said. “A dozen inmates accompanied Johana and her daughter and applauded as they were baptised.” After their release, they began attending a church north of Fray Bentos.
“Miraculous” justice for refugee woman in India A story from a CMS mission partner who must remain anonymous: I help with a small Christian organisation in Delhi. We do a series of empowerment workshops among women refugees, covering subjects such as self confidence, sexual harassment and refugee rights. Most of them are unemployed and are among the poorest in the area.
Mary is a widow in her 40s. She came here as a refugee a couple of years ago with her five children. She tried to find work, but this proved difficult and they couldn’t afford rent. One day Mary was befriended by a woman, Sarah, who offered to find a good job for Mary’s daughters (11 and 13 years old) and the girls left in good faith. Two weeks later, Mary met a girl who had been sent by Sarah to work as a housemaid. She was locked up, ill treated and escaped by jumping off the balcony. Alarmed, Mary went to the police, who
managed to rescue her daughters and several other girls, most of them under 16. Sarah wasn’t imprisoned. Mary, on the other hand, had a court case filed against her and her daughters were placed with the child welfare service. As a community, we prayed with Mary over the next few weeks. Miraculously, the girls were released and the court case against Mary was dropped! We don’t know why. Mary’s family and the community see this as an answer to prayer and take heart that despite their poverty they have God.
June 2013
However, when we incorporate biblical content and start talking about God, the women come alive and want to share how God has shown them his love.
Life didn’t suddenly improve for this family; they continue to live in poverty and in fear of Sarah’s reprisal. I cling to God’s promises that he cares for the oppressed, and that, in the words of one theologian, “God weeps with our pain.” 9
July 2013
Two pioneering projects celebrate 10 years of transformation Neema Crafts in Iringa, Tanzania and Jigsaw Kids Ministries in Manila, the Philippines, both commemorated a decade of sharing Jesus and changing lives among people who are often neglected or scorned. Both projects were started by CMS mission partners in 2003. Susie Hart started Neema with three deaf young men in a workshop, making paper products from elephant dung and Kate and Tim Lee started Jigsaw with a handful of children from Manila’s streets and their own children’s toys. Today Neema has trained and employed more than 100 deaf and disabled people in a variety of skills. It has grown to include a café, guesthouse and physiotherapy centre.
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“It’s an enormous privilege to give paid work and training to people who would
Disabled artisans at Neema Crafts
otherwise have no hope of accessing these things,” said mission partners Ben and Katy Ray, who are now leading Neema following the Harts’ return to the UK. Jigsaw provides for the basic needs of more than 1,200 street children. This work is overseen by Filipino Timothy mission partner Lendehl Sallidao, who says, “Together [through food, play time, prayer time and education] these children experience the love of Jesus.”
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Jigsaw Kids M
Twelve years, three mission partners, one joyous birth In a story that spans a dozen years and involves three CMS mission partners, a woman in Rwanda went from misery to motherhood.
After this, Vestine couldn’t control her bladder. Her boyfriend left her and she became an outcast because of the odour that surrounded her. Searching for a cure, Vestine eventually came to Gahini Hospital, where (former) mission partner Dr Adrian Shutt visited regularly to perform surgery on women with fistulas. It took three attempts, but Vestine was eventually restored to health. She frequently returned to the hospital with other young ladies seeking surgery.
r baby
Vestine and he
Mission partners Drs Bertha and Wim Schoonbee, who’ve been serving at Gahini since 2003, said, “We noticed Vestine receiving inner healing after years of rejection. “A young man soon noticed her gracefilled smile. They got married and great was their joy when she got pregnant.” It was the Schoonbees’ turn to help. “We planned a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. The Scho When the baby onbees gave its first healthy cry, Vestine praised Jesus with us!”
August 2013
Vestine was 17 years old when she went into labour 12 years ago. She lacked a fully developed pelvic bone and had prolonged labour with the baby’s head impacted in her pelvis. This caused tissue to break down and she developed a large defect between her bladder and vagina. The baby was stillborn.
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September 2013
Three years, four countries, 25 new schools Twenty-five new schools have been built in South Sudan, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda since 2010, thanks to the way mission partner and building consultant Garry Ion has been able to work alongside local African communities. “To see a project through to completion – a school where kids move from classrooms under trees, tarpaulin and thatch into new purpose made buildings – is priceless. This term of service (three years) I have witnessed this 25 times,” said Garry, who has been working in Africa for 19
School under a
tree in East Afric
years. He’s also worked on hospital wards and theatres, churches and dormitories. He says, “There are hundreds of local people involved in these projects.... To me no overseas aid agencies can take the place of this community participation. It’s a great privilege to know and serve alongside local communities who, despite isolation and material poverty, are able to achieve so much.” A chanc
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The third weekend in September
Fighting for factory justice Appalled by the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh, churches and agencies, including CMS, called for action with the Church of Bangladesh. The Church of Bangladesh Group – of which CMS is a member – gathered in Westminster to launch a campaign calling for global justice, wage justice and living justice for Bangladeshi garment workers.
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September 2013
saw attacks in both a shopping Photo: in depende centre in Nairobi, Kenya and nt.ie at a church in Peshawar, Pakistan. Though CMS people in mission in both countries remained safe, a number of friends and colleagues of people in the wider CMS family were caught up in the violence and some were among the dead. By coincidence, some CMS Africa staff were in Pakistan for a meeting with Asia CMS people in mission and the two groups were able to pray together and comfort ch, Peshawar each other during this tragic time. CMS mission partners All Saints’ Chur Caroline and Dick Seed ministered to students at Carlile College in Nairobi.
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A test of faith, a house of love fe Vive sa d The Re abuse r fo e s hou girls ploited and ex
An estimated 500,000 children are trapped in the sex industry in Brazil. On average, a girl forced into prostitution is sexually abused for the first time at age 10. Every eight minutes a child is raped in Brazil.
October 2013
These numbers are the reason CMS mission partners Andy and Rose Roberts decided to set up ReVive, a Christian organisation that aims to free exploited and abused girls, restore their lives and renew their hope. Part of the vision is a network of safe houses for vulnerable girls. Towards the end of 2012 Andy and Rose visited a house that would be suitable and spoke to the seller about ReVive. She became quite moved and took £10,000 off the asking price of £140,000. Thanks to generous supporters, ReVive had £80,000 in reserves. The Roberts needed to raise £50,000 in three weeks to purchase the house. “It was a real test of faith,” said Andy. Word went out and ReVive received £60,000 in donations. The house has since been refurbished and the first rescued girls have moved into a safe place where they can experience love, hope and healing in Jesus.
Pakistani Christians provide new school for village Two communities of young Christians in Pakistan helped build a primary school for a poor village community. Thirty-five children, including eight girls now have the chance to learn, said Aamir, the Asia CMS coordinator for Pakistan. “One community helped the village build a hut and a local person
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was equipped to run the school. The villagers pay Rs 200 per male pupil; girls attend free to promote female education. Another community provided a blackboard and a rug for students to sit on.” These communities are groups of young Pakistani Christians committed to sharing Christ’s love in practical ways. Asia CMS promotes this community network.
Shelter from the storm
The Possible World The Possible World, CMS’s new mission-focussed course for churches and small groups received ringing endorsements. The seven-week course delves into vital topics like injustice, the environment, hospitality and consumer culture and encourages Christians to offer both a challenge and hope to their communities. “It’s the first course where I’ve done something practical in response to it,” said a woman from Oxford. Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester and former CMS executive leader, chimed in: “This is a really relevant and practical course that helps followers of Jesus live as agents of social transformation within our culture.”
November 2013
In early November, one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded thrashed the Philippines, killing thousands and displacing millions. Philippines-based mission partners Charitas and Paul Cho and an anonymous mission partner couple assisted in relief efforts. This couple joined in with an international NGO team. “It was a humbling experience and a shock to see the severity of the destruction and the vast area it covered,” they recalled. “Yet, it was amazing and inspiring to see people’s resilience.”
Pioneers make great progress The Upper Room, a community in Cirencester that CMS pioneer student Kim Hartshorne (pictured right) helped found six years ago, had an exciting month. Five people were baptised and/or confirmed and a bishop’s mission order was conferred upon them, making the community officially a part of the Church of England. The Upper Room, which meets in the town centre, offers a space where people far from the edges of church can explore spirituality and get practical help with their struggles. You can learn more about the Upper Room on the new CMS pioneer film: www.pioneer.cms-uk.org
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December 2013
No place for a baby Advent gave mission partner Heather Sharland a chance to reflect on the birth of three babies: This year, the UK celebrated the birth of a royal baby. Every preparation was made for Prince George’s arrival; all the equipment was checked and medical staff were on standby. The princess had eaten a good diet, attended antenatal clinic and rested. We waited to hear that mother and baby were well. Meanwhile in Uganda another “princess” gave birth. She had no antenatal care, her diet was thick porridge and a few beans. Her daily routine included hard labour. We gave her a kit containing materials to help with the delivery. Then we waited to hear the news: a beautiful baby boy born safely, but sadly
named Anguyo which means “no place.” Our Ugandan princess is Mama G. She has been in Arua women’s prison for six months, where I have been helping teach an Alpha course for 50-70 women. Several women like Mama G have given their lives to Christ. It is sad to see young women in prison; 10 of them have babies with them. Yet they have such joy when they sing and listen to scripture. Their songs have moving words: “Our mothers and our fathers will forsake us but Jesus never will. Our husbands may abuse us, but Jesus never will…. He is with us always. He is with us in prison...” We have heard testimonies from those released from prison; they have gone to their local churches and testified how the Church came to them in their distress. This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, please pray for this baby boy, that he will know he has a special place in God’s heart.
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A heartfelt thank you to our CMS family for responding so faithfully to our Christmas appeal, both financially and through writing more than 1,000 messages of love to people in mission on Christmas star ornaments. We received more than £100,000 for this appeal, which was matched thanks to a generous supporter.
Hope grows in Hull A patch of rough ground strewn with shopping trolleys and overgrown with seven-foot-high brambles has been transformed into a community garden for residents of Hull to grow fruit, veg and hope in uncertain times. This transformation is the realisation of a long-held dream for mission partners Anna and Chris Hembury. “As reliance on welfare and benefits is dismantled, it is vital that communities like ours find new ways of overcoming their vulnerabilities together,” Chris said.
Community grows food and ho pe together
Local young people came up with the name Hope Grows for the garden. (Little did they know this would end up being the title for the CMS annual review.)
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Chris Hembury, rig
The Hemburys have been sharing Jesus’ love with children and families in Hull for more than a decade.
January 2014
“Having borrowed tools and blagged soil, membrane and scaffold planks off a local
building contractor, children, young people, parents and grandparents have all mucked in to help redeem the space,” said Anna.
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Mission partners: 161 Africa: 31 Asia: 37 Europe and Middle East: 49 South America: 29 In training: 15 Timothy (local) mission partners: 54 Africa: 7 Asia: 26 Europe and Middle East: 4 South America: 17
£2.9m
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Short-term volunteers: 23 Africa: 15 Asia: 4 Europe and Middle East: 2 South America: 2
Mission associates: 134 Africa: 44 Asia: 24 Europe and Middle East: 36 South America: 30 Pioneer Mission Leadership Training Course students: Foundation degree candidates: 20 Ordinands: 7 MA candidates: 8 Certificate candidates: 4 (Several others are taking individual modules) Cross-cultural exchange (Encounter) participants: 44 Projects financially supported: 131
2013 CMS Directors: Rev Canon Philip Mounstephen (Executive Leader), Mr Jonny Baker (from 01/01/14), Rt Rev Henry Scriven, Rev Joseph Steinberg, Rev Paul Thaxter, Mr Adrian White 2013 CMS Trustees: Mr John Ripley (Chair), Rev Dr Jonathan Brant, Mr Keith Chua (to 31/01/14), Rev Canon Patrick Coghlan, Mr Craig Hampton, Mr Peter Hyatt, Mrs Dione McDonald, Dr Salim Munayer (From 01/01/14), Mrs Shona Passfield (Retired 31/12/13), Rev Dr Jane Shaw (From 01/01/14), Rt Rev Martyn Snow (Vice Chair. Retired 31/12/13), Mrs Ann Tyndall, Rev Ian Wallace (Vice Chair from 31/01/14), Mr Mike Whitlam, Professor Ian Wingate Jones
People in Mission Numbers and Governance
2013 people and projects summary
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“Hope is a passion for the possible.” Søren Kierkegaard
Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ Tel: +44 (0)1865 787400 Email: info@cms-uk.org www.cms-uk.org CMS is a mission community acknowledged by the Church of England A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales, charity number 1131655, company number 6985330, registered office: as above. Group: South American Mission Society. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales, charity number 221328, company number 65048, registered office: as above. Church Mission Society Trust. Registered charity number 1131655-1 (previously 220297), principal office: as above.