Partnership between Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany ends after five years

The Union of Evangelical Free Churches (Baptists) in Germany and the Baptist Convention of Malawi (BACOMA) celebrated the end of their five year partnership with a worship service during the German Union’s Annual Assembly in Kassel from 4th – 7th May. Representatives from both unions reported how they experienced the “partnership in the gospel” (Philippians 1:3-6) – the official theme of the cooperation.

The partnership has been an opportunity of learning across cultural boundaries, of growing together in the Christian faith, of shared experiences, and reciprocal enrichment. The foundations of this partnership have been expressed in multiple ways throughout the past five years – with mutual visits, joint projects, and partnerships between individual congregations.

BACOMA President Rustin Kalenga said that Baptists in his country could learn something from their brothers and sisters in Germany with regard to the role of women in the church: “In Germany you have many women in leadership positions. This is a difficult issue for us.” As an example Kalenga pointed out that many women are in leading positions in Baptist churches in Germany, as well as the former general secretary of the German Baptist Union, Regina Claas, who is now serving as a missionary for EBM INTERNATIONAL where she is providing leadership training in Malawi and South Africa.
One aspect of the partnership was an exchange of professors and teachers between the German and the Malawian theological seminaries. Among the German teachers who taught in Malawi were Sara Holmer, a Master of Theology graduate of the seminary in Elstal, and Dr. Michael Rohde, former professor of Old Testament in Elstal.

Sara Holmer, who taught Old Testament classes at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Lilongwe, said she was impressed how Christians in Malawi live their faith. She said she was deeply moved by the chapel services that the students regularly organised: “They shared their faith with each other in a very practical and authentic way.”

Kuno Gerst from the Baptist church in Kirchheim (Teck) mentioned the joint work sessions of German and Malawian Christians at the BACOMA Balaka Farm. Despite the language barriers, participants developed a deep bond in Christ with each other. The Malawians were especially encouraged by the fact that the “mzungu”, the white people, carried out the same jobs as they did, Gerst said. For Gerst this example demonstrates one of the central principles of the partnership: to have fellowship on an equal footing. EBM INTERNATIONAL representative Fletcher Kaiya emphasised that the joint work at the farm symbolises the good work that Christ began in his disciples (Philippians 1:6).

Rustin Kalenga preached at the worship service. He stepped in for partnership coordinator Vincent Chirwa, who was ill. During his short sermon Kalenga drew similarities between the experience of the people of Israel in the Old Testament and Christians in Germany and Malawi today: “We can pray for each other and help one another in practical ways because in our union in God we share the same goal.”

The general secretaries of both unions, McGlyns Nyalubwe and Christoph Stiba, expressed their gratitude for the work of the past five years. Nyalubwe pointed to the various areas of cooperation, including the partnerships between individual churches, which Ulrich Wagner coordinated on behalf of the German union. Christoph Stiba described the encounters through the partnership as a lasting blessing: “Even though our official partnership ends, the relationships, joint projects and prayers for one another remain.” Partnership coordinator Volker Bohle supported this conclusion when he said: “Partners became friends!”

Photos: David Vogt
1. McGlyns Nyalubwe, Christoph Stiba, Thomas Klammt
2. The closing worship service