A Present Church Standing in an Ongoing Crisis

These past months have been eye-opening months for me in the work I do in Morocco.

But what do I do exactly?

I am responsible for national communication of the Evangelical Protestant Church of Morocco (EEAM). I manage a team that is passionate about communication and we constantly try to communicate whatever information that is important in the most efficient and excellent way possible.

To understand the extent and complexity of this work, one must understand the EEAM’s structure. The church is present in 11 cities all over Morocco. From the South (Agadir) to the North East (Oujda), we have people who are gathering and worshipping our Lord in this beautiful community.

Each church has its own reality, a specific group of people, students, professionals, families, young people, older people, etc. For example, the churches in Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat and Fez, count more families that are established in Morocco. Whereas in Agadir, Meknes and Oujda, you will see a community mainly of students. Therefore, the priorities, the interests, the communication can vary from one church to another. As the person responsible for national communication, one of the challenges is to focus on what unites us all and to focus on it as much as we can, while trying to create this sense of us being a body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). By doing so, we think that it can amplify the atmosphere of community where we can complete each other and focus on what everyone can and is willing to bring to the table!

When it comes to the diakona of the church, I also ensure that the communication part of it is handled according to the board’s needs and whatever knowledge I have in this field.

I am thankful to God for this organization, this church, that is present in a time of an ongoing crisis here in Morocco: Migration. Daily, we are facing this phenomenon that is transpiring a high level of despair, of hunger, of scarcity…and also of hope.

During our first 4 months here, the church really wanted us (my husband and me), to know the complex reality of its existence throughout the  Kingdom of Morocco. We were surprised to see how each city has its own reality and challenges to face. Therefore, the work with the migrants, the communication style, the priorities, even their theology is not the same. It is quite a challenge to unify all of these churches.

One thing that unites us is that all 11 churches welcome people who are seeking asylum. We all are. Whether we come as workers, as students, as refugees, we are all seeking something greater than ourselves. We are coming from different countries and are reuniting around the Lord’s Table and live a real sense of community.

Imagine a church where its members not only find peace, but when they do, they provide help for their fellow sisters and brothers trying to crossover to Europe the same way the Biblical people of Israel, a nation we take as example for so many stages we go through in life, were walking towards the Promised Land. Their story is a story of hope, faith and courage!

And this is what gives me the strength to do my work here. Because Morocco is a kingdom at the crossroads of the global crisis of migration. Many people are desperate to find a better life. This is what I cling to when things are rough. We mustn’t forget that we are all part of the same family, a family where all members are welcomed and allowed to rely on one another.

Emmanuela Loccident serves with the Evangelical Church of Morocco. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.