The AVM is currently being registered as a public benefit organisation in Germany. This goes hand in hand with a restructuring of the organisational leadership. AVM founder Dr. Jim Harries steps back from executive responsibilities, while still serving on the governing board. The AVM will now be led by an executive board consisting of three people:
The new Executive Team
Dr. Marcus Grohmann (Director), is to be assisted by Deborah Bernhard (Deputy Director) in leading the new executive team of the AVM (Alliance for Vulnerable Mission), with Maria Richter as Secretary.
Marcus, currently a postdoc researcher at the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, engaged deeply with vulnerable mission concerns in his recent PhD. In his publications, he frequently expounds on the vital need for vulnerability for the future of Christian mission, especially that going out from the West. Marcus, a German, who speaks isiXhosa in Bible teaching ministry, has lived in South Africa since 2016 with his wife and two young children.
Deborah, a US-American who is living in Germany, builds on 11 years of life-changing experience as a missionary in Thailand (1999 to 2011), and long-term experience subsequently of leading a team promoting groundbreaking innovations in South East Asia. “When we embrace those we are trying to reach with the gospel, it involves becoming like them in terms of language and culture, so that they may follow Jesus in their own way, must not just assuming them to be like us,” suggests Deborah. She believes, Buddhists can accept Jesus as Saviour without having to leap into a ‘Western’ identity. Deborah uses Shan, Thai and German languages in her ministry.
Maria, German, long served in intercultural and reconciliation ministry, focusing at different times on South Korea and Rwanda. She works as a physicist in Dresden, Germany.
The new team are looking to extend networking relationships, seeking opportunities to share about the AVM’s work. Raising awareness for the need for Vulnerable Mission both through equipping ministry practitioners as well as through relevant contributions in the field of missiology will remain their priority. They are convinced that more Christians of Western backgrounds ought to engage people entirely using indigenous languages and local resources in intercultural ministry.
Founder in new role
Jim Harries, who has chaired the AVM since its founding in 2007, will continue by chairing the AVM’s governing board, guiding the new team from his over 36 years of practical missionary experience in East Africa. Reduction in his responsibilities in the AVM will enable him to concentrate more on grass-roots outreach, primarily focused on theological education, and most likely, more time put into publishing books and articles.
Celebrating the transition
This transition in the life of the organisation and in leadership will be celebrated in a special, invite-only virtual event on 6th February 2025. It will be a possibility to (re-)connect, be inspired and give thanks to God for the Alliance for Vulnerable Mission’s next chapter.
To suggest a person to be invited (you may suggest yourself), please email celebration@vulnerablemission.org.
A new season: What the AVM has to offer
A fresh new website now makes it easier to connect and engage with AVM activities as regular webinars for ministry practitioners, a monthly Bulletin, attendance at conferences as well as academic and other writing will continue to mark the work of the organisation. Marcus and Deborah as well as others who are part of the AVM network can be invited to teach seminars or courses on Vulnerable Mission to colleges, mission agencies and churches (to enquire about possibilities, send an email to info@vulnerablemission.org).