African peace church delegates meet for first-ever conference.

Delegates of Historic Peace Churches in Africa gathered for a first-ever conference in Kenya, Aug. 8-13, under the title "Watu Kwa Amani--People of Peace." Among the 100 participants were Quakers from Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, and Burundi; Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from Congo, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe; and 22 members of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). The EYN contingent included men and women, lay and ordained, young adults and church leaders. US Brethren attended from the General Board, Bethany Theological Seminary, and Manchester College. Ecumenical guests came from the National Council of Churches in Kenya, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, and the World Council of Churches.

"The identity 'peace church' has in the past not been central to many African churches, so taking on and reinterpreting the theological language of this historical tradition provokes much discussion," according to a release from conference organizers including Donald Miller, former general secretary of the Church of the Brethren; Scott Holland, associate professor at Bethany; and Dean Johnson, director of Plowshares at Goshen (Ind.) College. The struggle to respond with Christian nonviolence came up in report after report, indicating that a peace church identity is being forged anew in the midst of Africa's current testing and struggle, organizers said.

Brethren shared experiences of being a minority in northern Nigeria, where in some regions Muslims seek to impose Sharia law. "One of our pastors, who encouraged his congregation to find peace and not fight, had his church surrounded by Muslims on a Sunday morning," reported Bitrus Debki. "They set the church building on fire and shot all the people when they tried to escape, including the pastor. This is how it is for Christians in Kaduna State." Matthew Abdullahi Gali spoke from experiences in Kano State, in which his church was repeatedly burned. Adamu Buba described his background as a Muslim police officer who became a Christian. When churches are repeatedly burned, and Christians are attacked, some members of EYN call for revenge, the Nigerian Brethren said. "I am not a pacifist. I will not just be passive. I prefer to fight--but nonviolently!" said EYN leader Toma Ragnjiya.

Brethren in Christ delegates spoke of political violence in Zimbabwe. "Please pray for us as we work with this situation," exclaimed Patson Netha, from the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. "Churches represent one of the few remaining non-governmental entities the Zimbabwe government can talk to."

Cathy Mputu, a Mennonite, and Ramadhani Kokosi, a Quaker, talked about violence in Congo, where churches rely on prayer but also work at strengthening grassroots peace activities. Mennonite Pascal Kulungu shared accounts of conflict within the church. Siaka Traore, a Mennonite from Burkina Faso, and Quakers Phillippe Nakuwundi from Burundi and Cecile Nyiramana from Rwanda, reported on their churches' efforts to rebuild relationships after conflict and war.

"My peace depends on others' peace," said David Niyonzima, a Quaker from Burundi. "In Africa, people are basically communal. Restoration requires a whole village, and we who are members of the Historic Peace Churches must constitute a renewed village."

"Nigerian participants were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the gathering," said Merv Keeney, the General Board's executive director of Global Mission Partnerships. "The rich exchange with other Christians and churches who are also seeking to be faithful to Christ's calls to be instruments of peace and reconciliation, even when confronted with horrific violence, was in the words of EYN President Filibus Gwama, 'powerful and affirming.' Based on the comments that I heard, I believe that the gathering helped the Nigerian church to find its voice as a peace church."

The meeting ended with denominational discussions on what new work or focus may proceed from the conference. A letter was drafted to share with other Christian churches to enlarge the process of peacemaking in Africa.

Source: Newsline 09/03/2004
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