Evangelical Mission Worldwide (EMW)

Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW), known in English as Evangelical Mission Worldwide, is a German umbrella and specialist association for Protestant mission and ecumenism. Headquartered in Hamburg, it was founded on 19 September 1975 by the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) as the Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland (EMW). In 2021 it adopted its current name, Evangelische Mission Weltweit, to reflect its global orientation. The organization brings together twelve Protestant mission agencies, five missionary associations, five free churches, and the EKD itself, forming a network that coordinates ecumenical, missionary, and development-related cooperation with Christian churches and communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. It also works to raise ecumenical awareness within Germany. EMW operates as both a Dachverband (umbrella organization) and a Fachverband (specialist association), providing theological expertise, networking, and administrative support to its members and associated organizations. Its work is structured around four units: Theology & Ecumenism, Theological Education, Communication, and Service & Administration. The organization is governed by a members' assembly that meets annually to set guidelines and priorities, and a 15-member board elected every six years. Since 2018, the board has been chaired by Landessuperintendent a.D. Dietmar Arends of the Lippische Landeskirche. A director leads the office and reports to the board and members' assembly. EMW's activities include coordinating mission partnerships, supporting theological education in partner churches, publishing materials on mission and global ecumenism, and advocating for peace, justice, and the integrity of creation. It addresses contemporary issues such as mission and colonialism, church and racism, and interfaith relations. Through its publications and media, it provides resources for congregations and individuals engaged in global mission. The organization is a member of international ecumenical bodies and maintains partnerships with churches worldwide. The history of EMW is rooted in earlier German mission coordination bodies, including the Deutscher Evangelischer Missionsbund (founded 1885) and the Deutscher Evangelischer Missionstag (1933). The East German Arbeitsgemeinschaft evangelischer Missionen in der DDR (founded 1964) merged with its West German counterpart on 25 September 1991. EMW's founding in 1975 came amid debates about mission practice, colonialism, and the role of evangelical mission agencies. Today, EMW continues to serve as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among its diverse members, promoting a holistic understanding of mission in the 21st century.

The Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW) traces its origins to earlier German Protestant mission coordination bodies. In 1885, the Deutscher Evangelische Missionsbund (DEM) was founded, which after World War I became the Deutscher Evangelische Missionsausschuss. In 1933, amid conflicts between mission societies and the German Christians, the Deutscher Evangelische Missionstag (DEMT) emerged with the Deutscher Evangelische Missionsrat (DEMR) as its executive committee. These were the immediate predecessors of EMW. After World War II, the division of Germany led to separate developments. In East Germany, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft evangelischer Missionen in der DDR was founded in 1964. In West Germany, discussions about mission theology and practice intensified in the 1960s and 1970s, with criticism of colonialism and imperialism in mission. Some evangelical mission societies, seeking a biblically oriented understanding of mission, formed the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelikaler Missionen (AEM) in 1969 and withdrew from the DEMT. On 19 September 1975, the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) founded the Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland (EMW). Hans-Heinrich Harms was elected as its first chairman. The first members' assembly took place on 13 May 1976, where Martin Lehmann-Habeck was installed as director. On 2 January 1977, the office in Hamburg began its work. Following German reunification, the East German Arbeitsgemeinschaft evangelischer Missionen in der DDR merged with its West German counterpart on 25 September 1991. In 2021, the organization was renamed Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW) to reflect its global scope and commitment to worldwide ecumenism. Throughout its history, EMW has been involved in publishing activities, theological reflection, and facilitating partnerships between German churches and churches in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It has addressed issues such as mission and colonialism, racism, and interfaith dialogue, adapting its work to changing global contexts.

• 2021

  Organization renamed Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW).

• 2018

  Dietmar Arends became chair of the board.

• 1991

  East German Arbeitsgemeinschaft evangelischer Missionen merged with West German counterpart on 25 September.

• 1977

  Office in Hamburg began work on 2 January.

• 1976

  First members' assembly held on 13 May; Martin Lehmann-Habeck installed as director.

• 1975

  Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland (EMW) founded by the EKD Synod on 19 September.

• 1969

  Arbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelikaler Missionen (AEM) founded; some evangelical mission societies withdrew from DEMT.

• 1964

  Arbeitsgemeinschaft evangelischer Missionen in der DDR founded in East Germany.

• 1933

  Deutscher Evangelischer Missionstag (DEMT) established with the Deutscher Evangelischer Missionsrat (DEMR) as executive committee.

• 1885

  Deutscher Evangelischer Missionsbund (DEM) founded, a predecessor of EMW.

Umbrella and specialist association for Protestant mission and ecumenism in Germany, fostering global partnerships and ecumenical awareness.

• Theology & Ecumenism unit

  Handles theological and ecumenical topics, networks, and projects.

• Theological Education unit

  Supports theological education in partner churches.

• Communication unit

  Manages publications, media, and public relations.

• Service & Administration unit

  Provides administrative and service support to members.

1. 1Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW) official websitemission-weltweit.de
2. 2Über uns - Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW)mission-weltweit.de
3. 3Gremien und Strukturen - Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW)mission-weltweit.de
4. 4Mitglieder - Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW)mission-weltweit.de
5. 5Wikidata entry for Evangelical Missions Agencywikidata.org
6. 6Wikipedia article on Evangelische Mission Weltweitde.wikipedia.org