Establishment of WHDWM
The Western Hemisphere Department of World Mission (“WHDWM”) was set up in the year 1981 and has been entrusted with the responsibility of promoting evangelical work in the Western Hemisphere. Prior to this, we had a Department of World Mission who is responsible for the world mission work through the world. As the work expanded, it was deemed necessary to divide the task of World Mission into two distinct regions, namely, the eastern and western hemispheres for the following reasons:
- to create a more concerted effort and a greater focus on the work of evangelism in the respective regions.
- to allow for better utilisation and mobilisation of resources within the respective regions.
- to enable a more effective and efficient conduct of the world missionary work.
Garnering the support of the various GAs and CBs in this region, the WHDWM organizes itself to support the work in the newly pioneered areas and to reach out to new areas. Working closely with the various departments in the International Assembly, it is able to continue to pioneer into new areas.
Organisation
Its organization structure is simple. The various GAs and CBs in the Western Hemisphere come together to support the Western Hemisphere Department of World Mission headed by a department head appointed by the IA Exco. Its main area of work is to pioneer into & support newly developed areas. It will also support various GAs and CBs when called upon to do so.
WHDWN Structure & Other Aspects of Mission Work
All General Assemblies and Co-ordination Boards in the Western Hemisphere would collectively form the Working Committee of WHDWM.
• The pioneering areas and new areas would come within the jurisdiction of the WHDWM.
• Although the collective responsibility of the pioneering areas is entrusted with WHDWM, the respective General Assemblies and Coordination Boards were each given the task of caring for specific pioneering areas.
UK GA - Africa
US GA - Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, Beliz
Central & South America CC - Argentina, Brazil, Foz, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador
European CC - Germany, France, Greece, Austria, Italy, Spain
European CC Care Team - Hungary, Georgia, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland
Canada CC
Russia Ministry Committee
South Africa Ministry Committee
Role
• In pioneering areas – to assist the responsible Mission Committee of the pioneering area and provide the necessary resources, direction, and guidance.
• In new areas – to explore and exploit new opportunities for gospel outreach.
• In existing countries – to assist in the divine plans of the local area and provide the necessary resources when called upon.