“Bridge for Africa.” That’s the motto of the Norddeutsche Mission. It reflects the organization’s purpose. The North German Mission in Bremen has a rich history. It started in Hamburg on April 19, 1836. Lutheran and Reformed missionary associations came together. They formed the Norddeutsche Missionsgesellschaft.
Initially, the North German Mission expanded its reach far beyond Africa. Missionary Carl Sylvius Völkner arrived in New Zealand in 1849. He served as a missionary. However, Māori people murdered him in 1865. This provoked a military response. The event became known as the Völkner Incident.
Later, the North German Mission narrowed its focus. From 1847, it concentrated on the Ewe settlement area. This was on the Slave Coast. Since 1851, the Mission has been based here in Bremen. In West Africa, it is known as Bremen Mission or Mission de Brême.
Cornelius Rudolf Vietor was a founding member in 1851. From 1868 to 1888, he chaired the board. Johann Carl Vietor, a West Africa merchant, also served on the executive committee.
In 1890, colonial powers divided the mission area. The British ruled the Gold Coast. The Germans controlled Togo. The North German Mission navigated this tension. In Togo, they prioritized the Ewe language. This maintained independence in schools. They also preserved local structures.
Inspector Franz Michael Zahn led the mission from 1862 to 1900. He was known for his critical view of colonialism. His successor, Schreiber, took a different approach. From 1900 to 1924, Schreiber was less critical of colonial powers.
During World War I, French and British forces seized German Togoland. They detained 52 mission employees. After dividing the territory, they prohibited mission support to communities. However, contact with Bremen remained.
Western powers’ occupation led to West African church independence. By 1914, the church had 11,000 members, 14 pastors, and 237 teachers. In May 1922, local representatives met in Kpalimé. They declared the Evangelical Ewe Church’s unity. Pastor Robert Kwami became its first leader.
Between 1923 and 1939, the North German Missionary Society sent people again. A sibling partnership gradually replaced the one-way traffic. Robert Kwami gave 150 lectures in northern Germany. This sparked racist campaigns. The “Kwami affair” gained international attention.
After Togo and Ghana gained independence, churches requested help. In 1961, the North German Mission sent employees to Togo and Ghana. They did not act as missionaries. In 1980, four German churches merged. In 2001, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Togo and Ghana became equal partners.
The North German Mission helped develop the Ewe language. Missionaries created a script from Latin letters. They translated the Bible and schoolbooks. Johann Bernhard Schlegel translated the four Gospels. He printed them in 1861. By 1913, a complete Bible edition was available. Diedrich Hermann Westermann created a dictionary with over 15,000 words.
Today, the North German Mission includes six partner churches. These churches are in Germany and West Africa. The mission focuses on holistic development. It supports schools, hospitals, and agriculture. It promotes women’s programs and youth welfare. The North German Mission embodies its motto. It builds bridges for Africa.