The city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, hosted the 11th General Assembly of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) from 14–19 September. The six-day event brought together delegates from UEM’s 39-member community across Africa, Asia, and Germany to forge a unified voice against discrimination and explore new opportunities for collaboration in the pursuit of peace.
The assembly was held under the theme, “The Beam in Our Eye: Discrimination in the Church and Diaconia,” inspired by Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:3. The gathering reaffirmed UEM members’ shared vision of reconciliation and their commitment to empowering women and young people. It also served as a renewed call for action against discrimination and sexual violence in all its forms.
CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum attended the assembly and presented his greetings at the opening of the event.
Expressing gratitude to Rev. Dr Andar Parlindungan, UEM’s general secretary, for the invitation, Keum commended the close and enduring partnership between CWM and UEM—one deeply rooted in common witness, mutual learning, and a joint commitment to God’s mission of building life-flourishing communities.
Reflecting on shared moments of solidarity, Keum highlighted how both organizations continue to dismantle colonial legacies and advance transformative mission. He likened CWM and UEM to “companions on the road,” united in their commitment to building communities where the gospel is embodied in word, deed, proclamation, and diaconia.
Calling the assembly’s theme a “clear challenge” to all delegates, Keum urged deeper self-reflection:
“It is a call to self-examination before critique of others, to confession before judgment, to transformation before proclamation,” exhorted Keum. “Discrimination, whether based on gender, race, caste, class, disability, or sexuality, contradicts the gospel of Christ and distorts the diaconal mission of the church.”
He stressed that true diaconia is inseparable from justice. Quoting the well-known Swahili proverb Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu (“Unity is strength, division is weakness”), Keum reminded participants that while the church is called to unity, it must also embrace the diversity and gifts of all God’s people.
Keum closed by reaffirming CWM’s commitment to journeying with its partners to reshape church and society toward equality and equity, highlighting CWM’s work in gender justice, ecological justice, and economic justice:
“We believe that the church, as the body of Christ, must be the first to model communities where power is shared, dignity is upheld, and discrimination has no place.”
A key outcome of the assembly was the adoption of a comprehensive protection package against sexualized violence, underscoring UEM’s resolve that churches and diaconal institutions must be safe places offering protection and healing. The assembly reaffirmed its commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the empowerment of women and young people, resolutely calling for action against all forms of discrimination and sexual violence.
