Around 70 delegates and guests from the 30 member churches and mission associations of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East will come together for the EMS General Meeting from 19 to 21 November 2026 in Bad Boll, Germany.

Hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, the General Meeting will take place at the Evangelische Akademie Bad Boll (Protestant Academy Bad Boll) and bring together church leaders, representatives, and partners from across the EMS fellowship to strengthen their common witness and shape the future direction of the organization.

“We are honoured to welcome our international guests. Their visit is a visible expression of the close relationship between the member churches of EMS and our regional church. We look forward to meaningful and enriching encounters and are grateful for the opportunity to engage in ecumenical dialogue and fellowship with them,” says Bishop Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl from the hosting church.

A Fellowship of Hope

The central focus of the 2026 General Meeting will be the adoption of the EMS Agenda 2026-2031, which will guide the fellowship's work and priorities over the next five years. The meeting will therefore be held under the theme:

“Hope: Developing EMS as a Fellowship of Hope for People and the World.”

In a time marked by war, polarization, economic uncertainty, and climate challenges, delegates will reflect on how Christian hope can inspire faithful action, solidarity, and transformation in their diverse contexts.

Keynote Address

The keynote address will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Rima Nasrallah van Saane, Senior Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut (NECB), the EMS member church in Lebanon.

In her keynote address, Rev. Dr. Rima Nasrallah van Saane will offer a theological reflection on Christian hope, exploring its challenges, biblical foundations, and practical expression in the life and mission of the church.

Preparatory Meetings for Delegates

Ahead of the General Meeting, EMS will host two preparatory gatherings for delegates.

From 16 to 18 November 2026, young delegates aged up to 35 will meet in Frankfurt for the Youth Pre-Meeting, providing a dedicated space for exchange, reflection, and preparation.

A pre-meeting for women delegates will take place on Wednesday, 18 November 2026, from 7:00 p.m. onwards in Bad Boll, creating an opportunity for networking, mutual encouragement, and discussion ahead of the General Meeting.

As the highest decision-making body of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity, the General Meeting plays a key role in shaping the fellowship's common vision, strategic priorities, and shared witness in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East