In a region marked by the multiple crises of HIV/Aids, poverty, hunger, economic injustice and lack of good governance, the Southern Africa Alliance of Reformed Churches held its eighth conference in November 2002 on the theme "That all may have life in fullness".

The theme was chosen in order to initiate the region's 19 member churches into the gathering process for the 24th general council (Accra, 2004), and to help in redefining the raison d'être of Saarc. Delegates from 14 of these churches met in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the conference.

Churches as healing communities

The meeting began with Bible study. Maake Masongo led reflection on the story of the healing of a woman who had suffered from haemorrhages for 12 years (Lk 8.40-48), relating it to the many "unhealed situations" in which Saarc churches found themselves. This unnamed woman who touched Jesus understood incarnation, the word made flesh. To be healing communities, churches require courage, a clear focus and action.

Covenanting for economic justice

Bible study was followed by socio-economic analysis, in which Davie Malungisa, an economist, aimed at "unmasking the sources of pain and suffering" in the region.

Former Saarc moderator Russel Botman gave the keynote address, highlighting the role of economic injustice and exclusion and the violation of human rights in denying life to millions of people. Everywhere in the world, but especially in Africa, neoliberal economic globalization was having a negative impact on already desperate situations. Unemployment was expanding, albeit unevenly, and had very different consequences in the south than in the north. Growing unemployment generated a consciousness that was the polar opposite of a human rights culture. Add in the unresolved issues of land ownership and distribution and the devastating socio-economic as well as human effects of the HIV/Aids pandemic, and the agenda for Saarc churches was clear to see. Botman proposed the vision of the covenant as the foundation on which to build a Christian response. The biblical notion of covenant affirms the dignity of human beings and is the antithesis of neoliberalism.

The conference resolved to establish a special desk to help Saarc churches address economic injustice more effectively.

Fighting HIV/Aids

Muriel Mothibi, a minister in the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, led the discussion on the fight against HIV/Aids. Southern Africa is the world region most affected by the epidemic. In four countries - Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe - more than 30% of adults are HIV positive. The conference resolved to establish a taskforce to evaluate and advise on the churches' actions with regards to prevention, education, empowerment and care in the fight against HIV/Aids.

HIV/Aids presents a broad set of problems that even encompasses the socio-economic aspects of life. It will remain a priority for Saarc, with a focus on those things "that can be best done by a Reformed confessional body." This approach includes fresh studies on Reformed theology, worship and spirituality in the light of the HIV/Aids challenge.

New leadership

A new executive committee was elected, with Bukelwa Hans (Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa) - a member of the Warc executive committee - as the new moderator, and Felix Chingota (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian) as the vice-moderator.

Other members are: Simon Adams (Volkskerk van Afrika), Alta van den Berg (Dutch Reformed Church), André Cangovi, (Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola), Alina Mosebo Chabane (Lesotho Evangelical Church), Jeremiah Chienda and Billy Gama (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian), Ruth Khoza (Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa), Austin Mandebvu (Reformed Church in Zimbabwe), Muriel Mothibi, Tebatso Motlhabane and Philip Strydom (Uniting Congregational Church of Southern Africa), Mario Nyamuxwe (Presbyterian Church of Mozambique), and Peter Phiri (Reformed Church in Zambia).

The committee's immediate task is to synthesize the country plans of action into a programme of Saarc work for the next two years and to establish an appropriate structural framework for implementation. On communication, the conference resolved to create a website to link up the member churches and exchange information and news.

Reforming Saarc, forming ARCA

Saarc was formed in 1989 to link Alliance churches in southern Africa in the struggle against apartheid. Apartheid ended, but the churches stayed together to confront the many problems they face in common: today they number 19 churches in nine countries. Continuing and strengthening Saarc, administratively and financially, emerged as a major conviction of the conference.

Outgoing moderator Japhet Ndhlovu describes Saarc as "an asset and a magnificent creation in Africa". But now it faces a new challenge.

April 2003 is the target date for inaugurating the Alliance of Reformed Churches in Africa (ARCA), which will bring together all Warc churches in Africa in a single all-Africa structure. The implication for Saarc is that it would continue to exist, but now as the southern Africa conference of ARCA, on the same level as new east, west and central Africa conferences. Saarc would also offer its secretariat to the new organization.

The conference discussed this proposal, but was not ready to put it to the vote. The new executive committee would have to pick up the matter. All Saarc churches would be asked to state their views on ARCA in writing - prior to the conference four had indicated their agreement with the idea. A special conference would be called to make a final decision.

Hope for Zimbabwe, hope for Africa

Conference delegates expressed their thanks to the Zimbabwean hosting churches. They also voiced deep concern at the "desperate and unjust circumstances prevailing in our host country" and prayed "for the government and people of Zimbabwe to reach out together to the cloak of Jesus and experience the healing touch of his hand."

They ended with a statement of hope, based not on their own strength, but on God: "We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed... " (2 Cor 4.7-9)

Majaha Nhliziyo, Saarc coordinator