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
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.