Our mission begins with the world, ministering among those who do not yet know the good news. As new groups of believers spring up, we work to strengthen churches and empower leaders. Then, as new mission societies emerge from these circles of churches, our relationship culminates in a collaborative partnership to send more workers.
The seven core commitments that advance this mission are:
- To bring glory to God
- To form Christ-centered churches at home in their cultures
- To unite word, deed, and being in one seamless whole
- To be constant in prayer
- To be filled with the Spirit
- To be ‘strangers and pilgrims’ within this world
- To be founded on the Word of God
Tanzania, 1930s
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The beginnings
In September 1894, a group of 12 young men met in a farmhouse east of Lancaster, Pa., with the goal of promoting missions. They named their organization “Home Mission Advocates”, which was officially incorporated in 1916 as Eastern MennoniteBoard of Missions and Charities; the popular name Eastern Mennonite Missions was adopted in 1993. The work was largely local in the beginning; the first overseas missionary went to Tanzania in 1934.
Today
Presently, a 65-member board and 11-member Executive committee guides the work of 65 staff and over 300 workers* in global witness and service in over 30 countries. Richard Showalter has served as president since 1994. EMM workers are involved in forming churches, training leaders, peacemaking, community development/capacity building, and more. Funds also assist with housing, food, clothing, medicine, equipment for hospitals, peacemaking, and education around the world.
*This figure includes workers appointed by both EMM and another agency.
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Explore the scope of EMM's work:
Long-term sending
Short-term sending
Relief and development
Associated ministries
English class, Lithuania, 2003
Ethiopia, 1972
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