Deputies

During the Synod of 1996 the Mission Deputies (MDSA) in South Africa were appointed as a structure to facilitate the cooperation between the mission and supporting churches in South Africa as well as the supporting churches in the Netherlands.

The purpose of the MDSA is to ensure equality in the distribution and allocation of funds to the various mission churches. Furthermore, the MDSA facilitated collaboration between the various mission churches through the sharing of information during formal information sessions and strategic meetings.

The MDSA has no say in the operational activities of any of the mission churches, but is held accountable for funding and reporting to those churches supporting the mission work in South Africa. Thus, part of their functioning includes investigating mechanisms to increase the funding base for mission work in South Africa. Together with this function they are responsible for the multi-term budgets emanating from the strategic plans of the mission churches.

Broadly speaking, the MDSA facilitates cooperation between the following bodies:
     • Church Councils of Maranata (responsible for mission work in Soshanguve), 
        Mamelodi (responsible for mission work in Nellmapius) and 
        Cape Town (responsible for mission work in Belhar, Leiden and Wesbank); and 
     • All cooperating churches in South Africa and the Netherlands.

The MDSA comprises:

The MDSA is currently working toward expanding the funding framework for mission work in South Africa. Any persons interested in more information may access the following document: 
     • Mission work in South Africa: Possibilities for collaboration

The Mission Deputies South Africa promotes national missionary cooperation through hosting the national information sessions. Each year a different mission field is selected during which their specific issues, highlights and pitfalls is shared with everyone within the South African Church Federation. The MDSA also attempts to participate in the missions’ operational and strategic plans. Information is also shared through the distribution of Newsletters and the following documents have been distributed: 
        • Newsletter Vol 1 2005 
        • Newsletter Vol 1 March 2006

The MDSA asks for your continued support through prayer. Anyone within the Federation is welcome to share their knowledge and experience with us, and we would welcome closer participation from supporting congregations.

The MDSA has as focal points for the coming year: 
     • Increasing the financial base for mission work in South Africa 
     • Arranging the visitation of representatives from the Netherlands 
     • Formulating the multi-term budgets taken from the strategic plans of the mission churches.