Mission Synod
The Mission Synod is the highest decision-making body of Mission 21. And it is even more than that: the Mission Synod brings together people from different cultures and denominations across four continents. Delegates from our partner countries deliberate, discuss, and celebrate global fellowship.
The majority of the mission synod takes place online and on special occasions also on site. Then the synod days are accompanied by public events. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know us and our international guests better and to foster fellowship. You will find up-to-date information in our agenda. We cordially invite you to the events!
On this page you will find all the information on how the Synod is composed, which organizations support the work of Mission 21 and brief information on the current and previous Synods. You can find more information about the upcoming Synod and those of previous years on the page Mission synod current.
The Mission Synods Since 2023
The Synod sets the strategic framework for Mission 21’s work, but also discusses the specific situations and concerns of people in the partner countries. Since 2023, the approximately 40 delegates from four continents have been meeting online.
The Synod 2026 took place online on Thursday, June 25, and Friday, June 26, 2026. The focus continued on the topic of decolonization, with a presentation by Indonesian professor and expert in intercultural theology Septemmy Lakawa on the situation in Papua. Another topic was the development of Mission 21’s strategy. At this synod, the Evangelical Mission in Kwango was also approved as the sponsoring organization. Since Mission 21 has concluded its work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the EMIK has also decided to withdraw from Mission 21.
The Synod 2025 took place on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4, 2025 - again online. The focus was on the topic of decolonization, with an enlightening presentation by Prof. Karla Koll and lively discussions. You can find a detailed review of Synod 2025 in the News.
The Synod 2024 was held from June 27 to 28, 2024. In addition, the "Youth Summit meets Alumni Day" event took place on June 29 and on June 30, the outgoing President Johannes Blum was honored at the Festive servicewhich concluded the synod week. More information in the News
The Synod 2023 took place from Thursday, June 29 to Saturday, July 1, 2023. Personal encounters were possible at the public closing mission service. You can find a review of Synod 2023 and the closing service in the News.
Structure
The Mission Synod is the highest decision-making body of Mission 21 and is made up of elected representatives of the continental assemblies and the supporting associations.
Once a year, its delegates from four continents, chosen on a basis of parity, negotiate the direction of Mission 21's international work. The synod is a place of encounter and exchange - whether present or online.
The Mission Synod decides on the strategic direction, the longer-term goals and also the financial planning of Mission 21. In addition, it approves the annual report and annual financial statement and decides on the framework budget for the following year. Gender parity and equal youth representation are sought in the Mission Synod. The deliberations take place in English.
Supporting associations
Founded in 2001 by five mission agencies, Mission 21 is now supported by two agencies—the Basel Mission (BM) and the Herrnhut Mission Switzerland (HM)—as well as by the four continental assemblies. The Evangelical Mission in Kwango (EMIK) decided at its 2026 synod to withdraw from Mission 21 (see above). It had supported the work of Mission 21 reliably and with dedication since 2001.
Basel Mission
The Basel Mission is the largest supporting organization of Mission 21. It was founded in 1815 and opened the mission seminary in Basel one year later. In 1821, the Basel Mission sent out the first seminarians: to the Caucasus. In 1828 the mission began work in Ghana, in 1834 in South India and in 1847 in South China. In 1860, the large mission house was built in Basel, which continues to be owned by the Basel Mission. Today it is the headquarters of Mission 21, and the Basel Mission also operates the "Odelya" Hotel in the building. The construction of the mission house was financed at the time primarily by the pietist merchant Christoph Merian-Burckhardt.
From its approximately two hundred years of work in Africa and Asia and its involvement in Latin America since the 1970s, the Basel Mission brings numerous relationships to Mission 21. The Basel Mission supports the work of Mission 21. Part of this support is earmarked for the scientific care and processing of the archive of the Basel Mission. Mission 21 continues to maintain the extensive archive of the Basel Mission. It includes a wealth of historical text, audio and photographic sources as well as historical maps.
► to the website of the Basel Mission
The Basel Mission was an institution with strong German participation. In 1954, the Basel Mission German Branch, e.V. (BMDZ) was constituted in Stuttgart. Since then, cooperation has renewed and deepened, now between BMDZ and Basel Mission as well as Mission 21.
Herrnhut Mission
As a work of the Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine, the mission came into being in 1732 under Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf. The mission areas became independent church areas (provinces) of the "Brüder-Unität". Today, the churches of the Brüdergemeine are committed to helping people on the margins of society, in cooperation with Mission 21. In Switzerland, the Herrnhut congregations, called societies, stand behind this work together with a large circle of readers of the Watchwords and other friends. Through Mission 21, the Herrnhut Mission maintains relationships especially with Tanzania, Palestine and South Africa.
Continental Assemblies
In Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, the partners of Mission 21 organize themselves in the Continental Assemblies (CAs). All four CTs are full members of Mission 21 and send delegates to the Mission Synod. This South-North exchange is complemented by regular South-South meetings: The continental assemblies of Africa, Asia and Latin America hold a large conference every three years, in which all partner churches and organizations may participate with up to three delegates. Here they can exchange information about program and project work as well as current challenges of the individual partners. Women's organizations and youth representatives discuss common problems and possible solutions in a preliminary conference.
