Council for World Mission (CWM) is gearing up to launch The Onesimus Project (TOP) at Vender Kemp Memorial Church in Bethelsdorp, South Africa on Aug 23, 2022, coinciding with the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. Member churches and partners are invited to view the event, which will be live-streamed on the CWM YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/CouncilforWorldMission) from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM South African Standard Time.

In CWM’s commitment to an equal partnership of churches in mission since its inception in 1977, it has acknowledged that its journey of transformation from its forbearer London Missionary Society (LMS) is incomplete without addressing its historically racist mission understanding and practice.

True to its commitment to justice, mutuality and equality, CWM will repent and offer an Act of Confession to African and African-descended peoples for the past and present sin of racism during this gathering.

It is also set to release The Bethelsdorp Statement on 23 August, laying out an act of confession, a commitment to reparative action, and a call spurring churches and mission organisations with similar legacies on to just action.