Shapes of Partnership

Partnerships between churches in Malawi and in Europe, North America or Australia take many different shapes. They come about in different ways and are uniquely grown to fit the needs and gifts of both parties of the partnership. That is how we are able to mutually encourage one another. If it is any other way, it is not a true partnership. Sunday, I was blessed to participate in a partnership that begin with a Malawian family living in the US and has grown into a blessing on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the 1990’s the Malinde family of Malawi moved to Urbana, Illinois so that the husband and wife could pursue doctorates in education. Being good Presbyterians, they joined a church in their new community and began to plant the seeds of partnership, by being part of the congregation. Grace taught Sunday school and David was an elder. Their children grew in faith as they were involved in Sunday school and youth fellowship. When the Malindes’ studies were completed, they prepared to return to Malawi, but the question was how to continue the contact with their church family in Urbana. A partnership with a church in Malawi was the answer. There was one forming in the area of Domasi Teachers’ College. This seemed a logical connection and so the partnership was forged. The two congregations worked together to help establish the Jeanes CCAP, to elevate it from a prayer house to a full congregation. That was done in 2001.

This past Sunday they celebrated the church’s 10^th anniversary. A group from Urbana came for the festivities. I was invited to join them as the PC(USA) representative. Of the 8 who came, only one had been to Malawi before, but several of them had been friends with the Malinde family when they lived in Urbana. It was a great reunion when Grace came to join them for worship. David died a few years ago and Grace is retired and living in Lilongwe, but she wanted to be present for the celebration. That made the time special of everyone. Both churches have pastors who began at their respective churches just 13 months ago, so they are new to the partnership. After this visit, they are deeply committed to the partnership. In the last 10 years, together, the congregations had worked to complete the church building for Jeanes, but more than that, they have reached out to the community surrounding the church building. Together, they had provided 620 shallow wells around Domasi and beyond. That represents clean, safe water for thousands of people. More than 120 students have benefitted from a scholarship program they have administered together. Small businesses have been started through a loan program that the two congregations oversaw. Many children have received mosquito nets and protection from malaria because of this partnership. Faith has grown in both congregations because of their working together on such projects and seeing God’s hand of provision. Sunday was a great time of celebration.

Each partnership nets different results because the needs and the gifts are different. But some things remain constant in all of them. The mutual respect and appreciation that grows as they work together, the friendships that are formed and the bond of Christian love that holds all of this together are the same in all the partnerships that exist. These are the greatest blessings of partnership. That was the testimony of this Sunday and the witness I hear each time I am blessed to be a part of a partnership celebration. God intended us to be partners in ministry, not isolated churches doing our own things. Praise God for these partnerships, as unique as each of us are in the Kingdom.