Crisis Management Team

By Cliff Kindy, BDM volunteer reporting from Nigeria

Crisis Response Team Dec 2014
Disaster Management Team

Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Standing Committee has commissioned a seven-member Crisis Management Team (Team in what follows) to coordinate the church’s response to the overwhelming disaster that has engulfed EYN, especially in northeast Nigeria. Though the disaster has been years in developing this year, 2014, has been an especially difficult year for the church.

In April, Boko Haram abducted over 300 women students, 170 EYN, from their school in Chibok. Through the summer there were more attacks by Boko Haram in EYN areas of Borno, Ademawa and Yobe states. Then October 29th the EYN headquarters and Kulp Bible College had to be evacuated as Boko Haram ransacked Mubi and the surrounding area.

In August, Jay Wittmeyer and Roy Winter of the Church of the Brethren (COB) met with EYN Standing Committee and drew up a detailed response plan to the crisis. By November, though the framework of the plan remained valid, the crisis had grown immensely.

Carl and Roxane Hill, Co-Directors of the Nigeria Crisis Response were in Nigeria encouraging the process as the Team members were selected and Standing Committee commissioned them for the work. It wasn’t just a simple two-step plan that confronted the Team.

Their task included: 1) providing emergency feeding for tens of thousands of displaced, with a focus on EYN families, but recognizing the need to assist others where populations are mixed; 2) selecting leadership to carry out/coordinate an extensive trauma healing process for the church; 3) assisting with the re-establishment of an EYN headquarters, for this time near Jos, and a new setting for Kulp Bible College on EYN land; 4) organizing the return of thousands of EYN members from the refugee camps and the mountains of Cameroon; 5) settling refugees who would not return to their original homes onto newly purchased locations with homes, school, clinic and place of worship; with the intent 6) of quickly moving formerly displaced families from a dependence on emergency food to a position of being able to sustain themselves through jobs and farming; 7) expanding the peacebuilding work of EYN; and 8) carrying out regular advocacy with embassies and other potential partners in the relief efforts.

Implicit in this relief task was the vision to grow EYN as a national and international church. Developing the headquarters annex moved the center of the church to a location more easily accessible to the rest of Nigeria and neighboring countries. With Kulp Bible College near by that central accessibility for leadership training also holds true. When the return to Mubi is possible these new developments provide for increased opportunities for church growth.

In December both the COB and Mission-21 (formerly Basel Mission) made initial commitments to be partners with EYN in this immense undertaking. Mission-21 has been sending mission workers and financial support for EYN since Basel Mission merged with EYN in 1962, so this partnership is just a more explicit commitment to support the response to this disaster. One of the complicating factors for this three-way partnership is that the disaster continues with no indication that it might not grow.

Support from the Church of the Brethren is essential. Major fundraising will be required and many volunteers will be needed to walk with EYN in this process. It is a massive undertaking for all three of the partners.

Light encounter

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John 8:12-19

Question for reflection:

When have you been surprised by the simplicity of God’s work?


Prayer for the day:

O God, in whom no darkness prevails, bring to light all the places in which we hide from your grace. Empower us as those who carry your light into the world whose darkness too easily overcomes. Refine us with the heat of your loving light that we may live anew as citizens of the Kingdom of Light. Amen

 ~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Worth being awake

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2 Peter 3:8-13

Question for reflection:
What awakens you to the wonder, joy and presence of God’s new life in this Holy Season? How are you witnessing the “special things” of God?


Prayer for the day:

God of new life, open our hearts and minds to your holy presence as we wait and watch for your new heaven and new earth. Make us ever alert and responsive to the cries of the poor, the oppressed, victims of violence, and all who long for your way of peace and righteousness.  In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

~ Mary Jo Flory-Steury, Associate General Secretary

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Since you’re already awake

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Isaiah 49:5-15

Question for reflection:
How will you share God’s goodness and mercy today? Think of one concrete action through which you can be gracious on God’s behalf to someone who is not related to you – and the watch for an opportunity to do it!

Prayer for the day:
Merciful God, whose goodness follows us all the days of our lives, soften our hearts towards others so that we may remind them of you through our actions. In the name and example of Jesus we pray, amen.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word

Awakened to flee

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Matthew 2:13-18

Question for reflection:
Are there any circumstances in your life which cause you to fear for your children or grandchildren? How do you connect with this impulse to “take the children and flee?”


Prayer for the day:

Sheltering God, who promises there is no place where we can go that you are not, calm our fears and empower us to make choices which further your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word

Awakened to praise

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Psalm 148

Question for reflection:
What is your favorite scripture of praise? What is your favorite hymn of praise? Sing the hymn or read the scripture. Remember the words and to praise God as often as you are able today.


Prayer for the day:

Extravagant God, who lavishes us with beauty in nature and in human spirit, provoke in us words and actions which can only be interpreted as our praise to you. It is through Jesus we pray, amen.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word

After the angels

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Luke 2:22 – 40

Question for reflection:
What is extraordinary in your life these days? What are the ordinary tasks you must keep up with in order to facilitate enjoyment of the extraordinary? Are there any ordinary tasks which allow you to connect with God through prayer during the task’s completion?


Prayer for the day:

Wise God, who knit us together in our mother’s womb, focus our minds so that we are aware of the ordinary and extraordinary moments in life. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

 ~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word

Spoken

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John 1:1-14 (v.1)

Question for reflection:
How will you tell the world that God has always been here and always will be here?


Prayer for the day:

Dear God, help me to take this moment to think of the many ways you bless my life. Open my hands to display your grace with acts of peace and justice. Release my voice to praise you and tell your story. Amen.

 ~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Awake at this hour

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Luke 2:1-20  (vv. 10-11)

Question for reflection:
The angel described the child Jesus as Savior, Messiah (or the Christ), and Lord. What would these descriptions have meant for poor Jewish shepherds living in a country occupied by the Roman Empire? What do these descriptions mean for us? What makes the angel’s announcement good news?


Prayer for the day:

Glorious God, a child carries your revelation bringing salvation to all. Glory to God in the highest! Let the earth declare God’s amazing work. Amen.

http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/21911/Christmas-Sand-Drawing-3-Luke-2120

 ~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Out of the mouths of (mothers of ) babes

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1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:46-55
(1 Samuel 2:1) (Luke 1:46-48a)

Question for reflection:

In what ways would your life change if you express gratitude for one or two acts of God’s love noticed each day?


Prayer for the day:
God our rock, grant us the boldness to persist in prayer, confident in your abiding presence and love. Amen

 ~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.