#I am...that's why we are
an international community building project connecting spirituality with the “translation of faith values” into actions that fight poverty, support justice, and lay the groundwork for sustainable development as a global church.
Vision
The aim of the "#Iam" project is to create spaces for international encounters, shared learning and solidarity-based action: a holistic approach on poverty, sustainability and theological education with the aim of creating projects in partner churches to provide water, food and light/energy. As those who profess to follow Jesus Christ, it is designed to deepen the contemplation of the mystery of His true humanity and true divinity. The vision is to create a community of activists from the international and national partner churches of the ELM in order to generate adapted projects, based on a reflected theology in the local contexts that positively change the global community of churches and civil society.
Output & outcome for churches
The output for the global church will be a database of knowledge & inspirations, e.g. for small groups, Sunday school, devotions, sermons – as text, video & audio.
Enabling and encouraging transformative encounters between people by facilitating digital and personal connections
Creating a culture and atmosphere of multiplication to grow a movement
Encouraging and empowering "Kingdom of God activists" in the spirit of the "Missio Dei"
Process & timeline
The 3 phases of #I AM:
- Phase I (2025) builds the theological and spiritual foundation for Phase II.
- Phase II (2026) starts building the “database of knowledge & inspirations”
- Phase III (from 2027) translates faith into actions & projects
The project started in June 2025 with an online meeting of the first 8 international participants. More participants from the partner churches in Lower-Saxony / Germany are most welcome!
The work style of the international learning community is a mixture of online meetings (90 minutes each) and in-person workshops in Germany and Malawi.
- 2025 online: June 14, June 28, September 27, October 11, November 22, December 20.
- 2025 workshop in Germany: Nov. 30, - Dec. 8, 2025 (Hanstedt & Hamburg)
- 2026 online: January 14, February 21, April 11, June 13 (further dates for 2026 und 207 still to be agreed)
- 2027 workshop in Malawi: June 5 – 12, 2027
Target group #I am:
The international and national partner churches in Lower-Saxony / Germany of the ELM are each invited to nominate a delegate for phase 1 who has a particular interest in developing concrete projects in a theologically reflective manner - and thus becoming an activist in their own context. These delegates can be employees or volunteers from churches. Ideally, the delegates should be not (much) older than 28 years of age. Written and spoken English is a prerequisite for participation.
These participants from phase might also participate in phase II (or transfer the role to another delegated person). In addition, they are asked to nominate a second delegate with an activist mindset from their church to be involved in the project.
Background information ELM
The ELM project team - consists of Hannah Rose (ELM Secretary for Povery & Peacework), Rev Waldemar Rausch (ELM Secretary for Sustainable Development) and Rev Bradn Buerkle (ELM Secretary for Theology Education in International Church Partnerships).
