CIM agencies explore "economic missions"

Platte City, Mo.

Thirteen of the agencies were represented when the CIM met Mar. 29 and 30 in Platte City, MO. While CIM's main task is fellowship and communication among the various agencies, part of this meeting's agenda was to fashion closer ties with Mennonite Economic Development Associates, which specializes in overseas micro-enterprise development.

With the help of economics and mission professors, the group explored how such economic development work could address poverty and further the growth of national churches.

Economist James Halteman related today's economic issues to those of biblical times, showing how development can play a role in transformational ministries. He explained how capital investment expands the economic base, enabling more of the poor to become self-sustaining.

Missiologist Samuel Escobar said a holistic view of mission calls Christians to share both spiritual life and material resources and to utilize spiritual, cultural and technological tools.

It was agreed that while mission agencies strive for all people to have an encounter with Jesus, it was also God's will that people come out of poverty. For organizations like MEDA, whose focus grows out of the specific skills of its members, a perceived obstacle has been that churches have not always fully accepted business persons as co-workers in mission.

"MEDA and the church have unlimited opportunities to help the urban poor by providing small business training and making available small loans," said MEDA president Ben Sprunger. "Creating work opportunities can be done in the name of Christ just as our mission agencies have offered health care, education and agricultural training."

"The most significant thing that happened was the building of relationships with people who are the CEOs of other mission agencies," said Garry Prieb, executive secretary of Africa Inter-Mennonite Missions.

John Lapp, outgoing executive director of Mennonite Central Committee, agreed. "The mission agency heads are continuing to build a community of mutual support and respect," he said.

Sprunger said strides were made toward bolstering cooperation between MEDA, Mennonite mission agencies and Mennonite churches overseas. Among the suggested areas of cooperation were: better connections and communication with national churches; educate the constituency in matters of economics and stewardship; plan joint pilot projects together; share and train personnel; and develop holistic projects together.

MEDA release

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