The Church Mission Society (CMS) and Mid-Africa Ministry (MAM) have confirmed that they intend to integrate, with the first stage of the process to be completed by January 2001. A statement agreed by the governing bodies of both agencies was released on 28th July 2000.

According to the official announcement, the agreement will enable "the ongoing spiritual, cultural and organisational renewal of CMS and Mid-Africa Ministry" and development together of "a broader and stronger support base."

CMS was founded in 1799 and works in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as in Britain. Mid-Africa Ministry was founded in 1921 as the Ruanda Ministry, originally as part of the work of CMS. It is currently active in South West Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A major benefit of the merger will be a stronger UK-based Anglican platform for support of the churches of the Great Lakes region of Africa. This is an area where war, civil unrest and deprivation are inflicting a massive toll of suffering, displacement and death.

In their joint announcement, both agencies commit themselves to the development of mission "from everywhere to everywhere", and to the cross-fertilisation of ideas, vision and experience. It is also hoped the merger will facilitate expansion of the societies' work into other areas of French-speaking Africa.

Separate but similar negotiations are also proceeding between MAM and CMS Ireland.