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Global Ministries contact: Marianne Collar
Telephone: 317-713-2574
E-mail: mcollar@dom.disciples.org
Web site: www.disciples.org/dom

GLOBAL MINISTRIES NAMES INTERNATIONAL AWARDS OF AFFIRMATION

INDIANAPOLIS- Global Ministries will honor six recipients with International Awards of Affirmation at the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly in Charlotte, NC. These awards will be presented on Saturday, October 18, 2003, at the Global Ministries International Dinner. The presence and witness of Global Ministries partners continues to inspire and encourage the mission and vision of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. The Global Ministries Awards of Affirmation are conferred every two years to individuals, churches and institutions around the world engaged in prophetic ministries in which even their own lives may be at risk. These recipients are among Christians around the world who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to risk obedience to God.

This year, Global Ministries recognizes the following: The Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola, Dr.Zakaria Ngelow from Indonesia, Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Shengjie Cao from China, and United Reformed Church and Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela. The Awards of Affirmation are chosen by the area executives and the co-executives of Global Ministries. Awards were also presented at the United Church of Christ's General Synod in July 2003 in Minneapolis, MN.

For International Dinner ticket information visit www.disciples.org/dom. Tickets can be purchased on site at the General Assembly for $25.00.

Africa- Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola
We celebrate the ministry of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola in upholding the Gospel of Jesus Christ during 27 difficult years of war. Established in 1881 by missionaries who were sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, this church has played a major role in promoting education. Today, some of the best educated leaders in Angola come from the Evangelical Congregational Church, including Dr. Jose Chipenda, a well-known ecumenical leader in Africa. Despite tragedies related to the loss of life of some of its ministers and lay leaders, the church has managed to grow and establish new work in many parts of the country. Today, joining with others, the church is continuing its commitment to actively work for peace in Angola.

Southern Asia-Dr.Zakaria Ngelow
Dr.Ngelow is Principal of the Eastern Indonesia Theological Seminary in Makassar, Indonesia. His ministry has been shaped by his passion and commitment for religious harmony and peace. With his family and others, Dr.Ngelow has witnessed, and been a victim of violent religious conflicts since childhood. His region of Indonesia has experienced intense fighting between the Muslim and Christian communities in the last few years. Dr.Ngelow has been very active in bringing together leaders from these groups and from the Buddhist and Hindu communities as well. At the seminary and in local churches, Dr. Ngelow works with these interfaith colleagues toward peace, harmony and reconciliation. The Award of Affirmation is presented to Dr. Zakaria Ngelow for his tireless efforts to build understanding, good will and trust in human community, and for demonstrating with such faithfulness the meaning of Christian love.

Middle East-Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
The Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East shares with Global Ministries a special relationship of history and mission. The Union, formed in 1924 as a consolidation of the Armenian Evangelical movement which began in the 1820's, is comprised of congregations whose beginnings intersect Common Global Ministries' mission history and is rooted in the longer history of Armenian Christianity. Located in seven countries (Egypt, Geece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Australia), the congregations and institutions of the Union have persisted in mission and in presence through the Middle East's political and social strife. Armenians are especially proud that Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as the official state religion in 301 A.D. Having recently celebrated 1700 years of orthodox Christianity in Armenia, the Armenian churches are proud of their heritage and look forward to many more years of celebrating and responding to Jesus' call. Through its many contributions of ministry and service in the Middle East, the Union upholds that call and is a steadfast presence and witness to Christ's message of hope and reconciliation in a troubled region.

East Asia and the Pacific-Rev. Shengjie Cao
The Rev. Shengjie Cao graduated from Nanjing Union Theological Seminary in 1953 and served St. Peter's Church and Grace Church in Shanghai as an evangelist. During the Cultural Revolution, she was sent to do labor in a factory for ten years. In 1980, she began serving as Associate General Secretary for the China Christian Council, and Chief Editor of the Chinese New Hymnal. She was ordained a pastor in 1988. Then, in 1991, as the Vice President of the China Christian Council, she expanded women's ministries, helped draft the Chinese Christian Church Order and study on the self-propagation of the Gospel. She now serves as President and Acting General Secretary of the China Christian Council, and also is currently Chairperson of the Shanghai Christian Council, Vice-President of the National YWCA of China, and Vice-Head of the Society of Religious Studies in Shanghai. The Award of Affirmation is presented to the Rev. Shengjie Cao for her life of Christian service, leadership, and contribution to the Church in China, and to the world ecumenical movement.

Europe-United Reformed Church
The United Reformed Church was formed in 1972 by the union of the Congregational Church in England and Wales, and the Presbyterian Church in England. In 1981, it was joined by the Reformed Association of Churches of Christ and the Congregational Union of Scotland. Today, it continues to express its deep commitment to the visible unity of the whole Church in more than 1700 congregations throughout England, Scotland and Wales, nearly one-third of which are united with other denominations. Through ecumenical and agency partnerships, this church works diligently to promote justice and peace for all of God's creation. We honor this church for continuing to courageously and persistently witness for peace among nations - particularly in the post-September 11 world - as evidenced by its recent critique of the British government's support for war as something other than a last resort. The Rev. Richard Mortimer will receive this award on behalf of the United Reformed Church.

Latin America and the Caribbean- Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela
The Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela has been at the forefront of the struggle for human rights in Venezuela for decades. It works with the poorest of the poor and has always been a voice for the most marginalized population of Venezuelan society. Ministering for decades in the isolated Guajira indigenous lands, the church has worked to bring justice for the Protestants, and economic and political justice for all sectors of the population. Most recently, church members have been working to help bring about better housing, education and medical care for the most humble communities in the country. A faithful advocate and giver of care, this church has been, and continues to be, a "voice in the wilderness" crying out for justice. Bishop Gamaliel Lugo will receive this award on behalf of the Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela.

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