The Department for Mission and Development (DMD) fosters communion in mission, deepening the understanding of communion and strengthening the practice of mission within and among the LWF member churches.
Mandate
DMD accompanies and assists churches, related agencies and other bodies within the communion in developing holistic ministries that engage in God’s mission for the healing of the world.
Core Tasks
DMD’s core tasks include:
- carrying out programs with the member churches related to mission and evangelism
- facilitating member church responses to community development needs
- strengthening member churches’ communication capacities
- advocating inclusive models of communion that ensure full participation of women and men, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities
- facilitating the development of Christian and theological education programs that respond to the needs of church and society today
- running leadership training, scholarship and exchange programs
How DMD Works
DMD carries out its work through:
- area desks and regional offices that respond to needs in each of the LWF regions and sub-regions
- global desks which address specific concerns of the whole communion
Programs
Regional Programs
The DMD area desks – based in Geneva – and regional offices address specific needs, church life issues and priorities in a given LWF region or sub-region. They coordinate and facilitate regional programs to put into action decisions made by LWF Assemblies. The area desks work together with the member churches, related agencies and ecumenical organizations.
DMD has area desks for Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean, and a regional office in the Asia region.
Africa | Asia | Europe | Latin America and the Caribbean
Capacity Development
With its capacity-development programs, DMD invests in the ability of the member churches to act as agents for transformation, empowerment and reconciliation in their efforts to address local, national and global issues.
- Communication Consultancy – focuses on skills, research and technical tools and resources for communication
- Comprehensive Capacity Development – targets needs for skilled leadership and staff and efficient planning and working methods
- Human Resources Development – includes specialized education, such as theology and language training, and assistance for persons with disabilities
Comprehensive Capacity Development | Human Resources Development
Project Work
LWF project work provides individual member churches with the assistance and access to resources they need to expand their ministries in advocacy, diakonia, evangelism and leadership development. DMD ensures coordination and assessment of project applications and fund raising to support approved projects, as well as accompaniment and monitoring during implementation.
Youth
DMD’s Youth Desk, based in Geneva, works with and for young adults, 18 to 30 years old, who are either youth leaders in their churches or agree to serve in their churches as multipliers based on their international experience.
LWF Youth strives to promote the full inclusion of youth and youth concerns in the life and decision-making of church and society in close cooperation with other relevant networks.
Governance, Mandate and Organization
DMD’s work is governed by the LWF Council through the Committee for Mission and Development.
LWF Committee for Mission and Development
For more information please contact:
Rev. Dr Musa P. Filibus, DMD Director
Mr Stefan Niederberger, Administrative Assistant
