B a l a n t o n s z e m e s – European Baptist Mission (EBM) will be called EBM International in the future. That was decided at the recent EBM Council sessions in Balantonszemes/Hungary attended by more than 100 delegates and guests. The new name will underscore that the mission is active globally, and not only within Europe. The EBM divisions are named for the regions in which they serve: EBM-Africa, EBM-MASA (South America) and EBM-India.

The theme of the gathering was entitled: ‘The Church – God’s Dynamic in Mission.’ Michael Kisskalt, Lecturer for Mission at the Elstal Theological Seminary, Germany, reminded those present that the local church has been the instrument of world mission ever since the days of Johann Gerhard Oncken (1800–1884). Oncken was the founder of many Baptist churches in Germany and throughout Europe. A mission society can take over administrative tasks, but the local church itself remains responsible for mission. This division of duties always needs to prove itself in everyday life. Kisskalt called on churches to pray for missionaries, obtain contact with them, get informed and also to donate to their cause. Kisskalt himself was an EBM missionary in Cameroon from 1995 to 1999. He chairs the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) Division of Mission and Evangelisation.

Numerous delegates noted though that the EBM’s mission field is located not only on other continents, but also in the countries of its own European members. This missionary task needs to be accepted jointly and be responded to in both word and deed. One will need to support each other mutually.

Dervaray Voola, the representative of the EBM’s India aid, was visibly moved when he was also labelled a ‘missionary’ during discussions. This was new for him, for according to the Indian understanding, a ‘missionary’ can only be a foreigner sent to India. He thanked the delegates for accepting him as an equal partner.

EBM General Secretary Christoph Haus (Elstal near Berlin) reported that integration of the one-time Hans-Herter-India-Aid into EBM structures has been successful. EBM has been responsible for this ministry since the beginning of 2009. Haus added that the strain on EBM finances, evident primarily within its Africa division, has lessoned, but that all objectives have not yet been reached.

The EBM’s long-time Treasurer, Elimar Brandt (Berlin), was bade farewell after 18 years in this position and more than 30 years in various leading EBM functions. He thanked the EBM for encouraging and supporting him during a personal crisis. The German Urs Bruhn (Illmensee), who is also active in the EBF’s Finance Committee, was elected his successor. New, or newly-confirmed as members of the EBM’s Executive were the Norwegian Arild Harvik as President and the Dutchman John Sussenbach as his deputy. Other members of the Executive are Esther Fröhlich, of Switzerland, Linda Koroma of Sierra Leone, Janos Papp of Hungary, Günther Schwarzinger of Austria and the German Ulrich Wagner.

The EBF’s Vice-President, Hans Guderian (Berlin), brought greetings. He stressed the necessity of close cooperation on mission projects, especially in the Middle East, as that would strengthen the Christian witness there.

Twenty-six unions from Africa, Latin America and Europe are members of EBM. Its local and European staff look after 33 development and mission projects in Africa along with 12 more in Latin America and 38 in India.