The Challenges of the Autonomy of the Baptist Mid-Missions Churches: The Case of the Community of Independent Baptist Churches in the Central African Republic

Authors

  • Dongobada Romaric Didacien A PhD candidate at Africa International University, he holds a Master of Divinity in (Missions) and a bachelor's degree from Bangui Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Central African Republic

Keywords:

Evangelization; Intercultural mission; Missionaries and Mission Work; Central African Republic.

Abstract

This paper examined the challenges of the autonomy of the Baptist Mid-Missions (BMM) offspring churches, specifically those of the Community of Independent Baptist Churches (CIBC). BMM, an American missionary society, entered Oubangui-Chari in 1921. The Pioneer missionary, William Clarence Haas, was eager to proclaim the gospel in the heart of Africa. As soon as Clarence and his co-workers arrived, they set up mission stations for the mission work. Soon after, Haas died, but the mission continued. The missionaries of the BMM planted churches and trained the national auxiliaries but at a low intellectual level, making them unqualified to face the prevailing ecclesiastical challenges. On the social level, the missionaries founded hospitals and schools that sadly are not a reference today. The CIBC churches were granted autonomy in 1995, after the last split with the National Association of Baptist Churches almost 74 years after the establishment of the BMM in Oubangui-Chari. In the face of leadership, evangelism, and financial challenges, CIBC must become aware of its missional role according to Matthew 28:19–20 church's mission 1:8.

Author Biography

Dongobada Romaric Didacien , A PhD candidate at Africa International University, he holds a Master of Divinity in (Missions) and a bachelor's degree from Bangui Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Central African Republic

He is a Lecturer of Missiology at the International Baptist Seminary in Bangui (CAR) and a part-time lecturer of Theological English at the Bangui Evangelical Graduate School of Theology.

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Published

2024-05-24

How to Cite

Dongobada Romaric Didacien. (2024). The Challenges of the Autonomy of the Baptist Mid-Missions Churches: The Case of the Community of Independent Baptist Churches in the Central African Republic. ShahidiHub International Journal of Theology & Religious Studies, 4(2), 1-16. Retrieved from https://shahidihub.org/shahidihub/index.php/ijtrs/article/view/221