Council for World Mission

12/10/2026

The Council for World Mission (CWM) brought together communications representatives from its six African member churches for the Africa Regional Communications Workshop, held from 10-12 October in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The three-day workshop provided a platform for participants to strengthen regional communications networks, exchange experiences, and explore opportunities for greater collaboration in sharing stories of mission across the continent.

A key focus of the workshop was the CWM Communications Strategy 2026–2028 and preparations for the organisation’s Jubilee journey in 2027–2028.

Participants explored ways to develop a unified Africa Regional Communications Action Plan, identifying practical commitments to strengthen regional collaboration, expand the sharing of news, testimonies, photographs, and videos, and encourage member churches to participate actively in the Jubilee.

On 11 October, participants joined the congregation of St Mungo’s United Church for Sunday worship, followed by fellowship and conversations with members of the local faith community.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening communications networks among CWM’s African member churches.

Participants also expressed their intention to continue conversations within their respective churches and explore opportunities for closer collaboration and coordinated communications as the CWM family journeys towards Jubilee.

👉 Read more about the workshop and its outcomes.

The Council for World Mission (CWM) brought together communications representatives from its six African member churches for the Africa Regional Communications Workshop, held from 10-12 October in Johannesburg, South Africa.

12/10/2026

Council for World Mission (CWM) General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum delivered three Cunningham Lectures at New College, University of Edinburgh, on 5, 7, and 8 October.

Under the theme, “What Does It Mean to Be Human? Slavery, Artificial Intelligence, Creation, and Mission,” Keum explored the interconnected challenges of technological transformation, decolonisation, and ecological destruction, calling for radical discipleship in response to the life-denying forces shaping today’s world.

Established in 1862, the Cunningham Lectures are the oldest endowed lecture series at New College. Founded in memory of Rev. Dr William Cunningham (1805–1861), the second principal of New College, the series has brought together distinguished theologians for more than 160 years to address major theological questions, including Christian doctrine, church history, human rights, global Christianity, and mission.

The lectures received appreciative responses for their engagement with contemporary theological and missional challenges.

Dr Alexander Chow commended Keum for combining academic rigour with practical experience of mission. He said the lectures offered important world Christianity perspectives “to challenge and inspire the next generation of theological scholars and practitioners”.

Rev. David Coleman welcomed Keum’s “fully creation-integrated approach” to mission, particularly his challenge to human supremacy and the separation of humanity from the wider creation. He also highlighted the connections between historical struggles against slavery and contemporary efforts to confront the injustices of the fossil fuel era.

👉 Read more about the lectures and his reflections on the future of mission.

Council for World Mission (CWM) General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum delivered three Cunningham Lectures at New College, University of Edinburgh, on 5, 7, and 8 October.

08/10/2026

Sixty-nine participants from all 12 Council for World Mission (CWM) member churches in the Pacific gathered in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, from 14-16 September for the CWM Pacific Regional Assembly.

United by a call to “Revision Mission” amid the challenges facing Pacific communities and inspired by the image of “One Vaka” — one canoe — the assembly affirmed that, despite being separated by vast distances and shaped by different contexts, Pacific churches remain deeply interconnected in God’s mission and are called to journey together.

Across three keynote addresses, Rev. Dr Matagi Jessop Vilitama of Ekalesia Kerisiano Niue challenged delegates to confront what he described as a regional “polycrisis,” encompassing climate change, geopolitical competition, militarisation, unfinished decolonisation, deep-sea mining, nuclear testing legacies, and economic dependence.

Youth and women’s panels brought vital perspectives. Young people were affirmed as the church of today, whose voices must help shape present leadership and decision-making.

Discussions during the women’s panel highlighted continuing barriers facing women in ministry and leadership, as well as the need for stronger mentoring and greater opportunities to lead.

Throughout the assembly, climate justice remained an urgent concern. Delegates spoke of rising sea levels, coastal erosion, nuclear contamination, deep-sea mining, and seabed destruction not as distant threats, but as lived realities affecting Pacific communities, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

These concerns were reflected in a Pacific Regional Assembly Statement drafted by participants.

As the assembly concluded by returning to the image of the Vaka of Life, participants renewed their call for Pacific churches and the wider CWM family to paddle together — honouring Pacific voices, protecting creation, empowering women and young people, confronting injustice, and widening the table so that all may participate faithfully in God’s life-flourishing mission.

👉 Read more about the CWM Pacific Regional Assembly.

Sixty-nine participants from all 12 Council for World Mission (CWM) member churches in the Pacific gathered in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, from 14-16 September for the CWM Pacific Regional Assembly.

07/10/2026

The Guyana Congregational Union (GCU) is putting reparatory justice into practice through an initiative designed to create economic opportunities and strengthen livelihoods for descendants of enslaved people.

During a recent engagement visit to Guyana, CWM Coordinator of The Onesimus Project (TOP) Rev. Wellington Mthobisi Sibanda met with the GCU team implementing the Onesimus Project – Reparatory Justice Revolving Fund.

The visit provided an opportunity to hear from those leading the initiative, assess its progress, and explore how the fund can continue to develop as a practical expression of reparatory justice within the missional life of the church.

The initiative reflects TOP’s growing emphasis on embedding reparatory justice within the life and witness of CWM member churches, rather than viewing it primarily as a programme or source of funding. In Guyana, GCU is contextualising that commitment through an approach rooted in economic empowerment and practical solidarity.

As the initiative develops, GCU hopes the Revolving Fund will grow into a sustainable mechanism through which young people and communities can transform entrepreneurial ideas into viable livelihoods, making reparatory justice not only a theological vision but also a practical pathway towards dignity, opportunity, and a more hopeful future.

👉 Read more about the initiative and CWM’s engagement in Guyana.

The Guyana Congregational Union (GCU) is putting reparatory justice into practice through an initiative designed to create economic opportunities and strengthen livelihoods for descendants of enslaved people.

05/10/2026

📢 Call for applications: Master of Theology in Theological Education for an Economy of Life

The School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is inviting applications for its Master of Theology, specialising in Theological Education for an Economy of Life (TEEL), offered in partnership with the Council for World Mission (CWM).

🌍 This online master’s programme seeks to develop alternative forms of theological reflection that critically engage with global systems that perpetuate economic and ecological injustice.

The programme equips students with knowledge and research skills to respond to pressing global challenges through interdisciplinary and contextual approaches, while exploring how religious traditions shape economic life and influence responses to justice, sustainability, and human dignity.

Who can apply?

The programme is open to:
• Candidates from CWM member churches
• Faith leaders from all faith communities
• Candidates passionate about developing alternative, life-giving theologies

📅 Application deadline: 30 January 2027

👉 Find out more and apply for the programme.

The School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is inviting applications for its Master of Theology by Dissertation, with a special focus on Economic and Eco Justice, offered in partnership with the Council for World Mission (CWM).

02/10/2026

Thirty-six delegates from 12 Council for World Mission (CWM) member churches in the Pacific gathered in Auckland, New Zealand, from 16 – 18 September for the Pacific Mission Support Programme V (MSP-V) Round Table 2026, strengthening their shared commitment to mission shaped by the realities and voices of diverse Pacific communities.

Held under the theme, “Discern, Design, Develop,” the gathering brought together general secretaries, mission enablers, project managers, and finance managers to deepen their understanding of MSP-V and translate regional mission priorities into practical action.

Central to the gathering was Talanoa, the Pacific practice of inclusive, open, and transparent conversation. Alongside worship and Bible study, Talanoa created space for participants to listen to one another, share experiences honestly, and strengthen the relationships needed for mutual accompaniment and accountability.

Practical sessions guided delegates through the MSP-V framework, Theory of Change, activity planning, proposal development, financial procedures, and reporting requirements. Member churches also presented emerging plans for peer feedback and guidance from CWM, while exploring possibilities for regional collaboration.

Thirty-six delegates from 12 Council for World Mission (CWM) member churches in the Pacific gathered in Auckland, New Zealand, from 16 – 18 September for the Pacific Mission Support Programme V (MSP-V) Round Table 2026, strengthening their shared commitment to mission shaped by the realities and v...

24/09/2026

The Onesimus Project (TOP) Core Group gathered in Kingston, Jamaica, from 18 to 21 September to reflect on how reparatory justice can be strengthened as a living movement rooted in truth-telling, repentance, repair, liberation, and restored relationships.

At the heart of the four-day meeting was a deeper question: how can TOP move beyond being perceived primarily as a programme associated with funding opportunities or compliance requirements and become embedded as a key pillar in the missional life of Council for World Mission (CWM) member churches?

This question shaped discussions on formation, church ownership, community agency, communications, and the need to demonstrate transformation beyond measurable activities.

CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum joined the meeting online on 19 September and delivered a keynote address calling member churches to recognise how the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to shape contemporary realities, including land, wealth, knowledge, migration, ecological vulnerability, and human dignity.

TOP Core Group Chairperson Rev. Dr Roderick Hewitt emphasised that the project should not be understood primarily in financial terms.

“TOP is not a financial reparatory instrument. It is much more than seeking to provide funds to those who have been wronged to soothe the conscience of CWM,” Hewitt said.

“Instead, this is a missional imperative to journey along with the descendants of enslaved peoples who continue to be victimised.”

The Onesimus Project (TOP) Core Group gathered in Kingston, Jamaica, from 18 to 21 September to reflect on how reparatory justice can be strengthened as a living movement rooted in truth-telling, repentance, repair, liberation, and restored relationships.

21/09/2026

Make sure you get your tickets to join us for the 2026 Cunningham Lectures 🎟️ Delivered by Rev'd Dr Jooseop Keum on the topic 'What Does It Mean to Be Human?: Slavery, Artificial Intelligence, Creation, and Mission', this lecture series takes place on 5, 7 and 8 October.

Register your place now 👇
edin.ac/4xaI3Bj

21/09/2026

The Caribbean and North American Council for Mission (CANACOM) celebrated four decades of ecumenical partnership and shared Christian witness with its 40th anniversary celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago, hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago (PCTT) and the Church of Scotland Trinidad (COST), from 11–13 September 2026.

The anniversary was marked by three main events: a commemorative luncheon at Pax House, where CANACOM began; a Faith and Climate Conference attended by approximately 250 participants, the majority of whom were young people; and an anniversary service at St. Ann’s Church of Scotland in Port of Spain.

Participants gathered at Pax House, where CANACOM was birthed in 1986, for an anniversary luncheon and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. CWM also received a plaque recognising 40 years of journeying together.

The celebrations culminated in worship at St Ann’s Church of Scotland, where Rev. Carlington Keen, immediate past chair of CANACOM and United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands minister, reminded the participants of God’s preserving grace and called on the church to renewed missional outlook.

The Council for World Mission (CWM) marked four decades of ecumenical partnership and shared Christian witness with the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission (CANACOM) during a Faith and Climate Conference and Anniversary Service in Trinidad and Tobago from 11 to 13 September.

19/09/2026