On Friday, September 13, 2024, the Basel Mission was transformed from an association into a foundation. Board members signed the foundation deed at the Mission House. The Basel Mission, which has been in existence for almost 209 years, thus completed one of the biggest restructuring steps since the transfer of operational activities to the newly founded Mission 21 in 2000.
The Basel Mission (BM), which has existed as an association since 1815, is today the oldest and largest supporting institution of Mission 21. With its transformation into a foundation, the management of the BM is taking account of the development of its association. The structures with a Board of Directors and Assembly of Delegates had become too cumbersome for the BM's activities. The Assembly of Delegates approved the conversion in June 2024, which has now been completed with the signing of the foundation deed by the members of the Board of Directors.
When the Basel Mission was founded, its purpose was stated as "to spread the word of God - far beyond Basel by founding a school and training and empowering young men for missionary service". - said Board President Karl F. Appl in his address on Friday.
The Basel Mission became one of the largest Protestant missionary societies in the German-speaking world. It underwent many changes and, in the second half of the 20th century, became increasingly oriented towards an international community of churches and faith-based organizations that also carried out development cooperation based on the Christian faith.
Handover of operational activities to Mission 21
The biggest step to date was the merger with four other mission organizations in 2000 and the spin-off of the missions' operational activities into the newly founded Mission 21. The Basel Mission remained the largest supporting organization and, as owner of the building at Missionsstrasse 21, also the "home" of Mission 21, so to speak.
Through regular contributions from rental income and the operation of a seminar hotel in the Mission House (now known as "Odelya"), the Basel Mission was an important financial pillar of Mission 21's work.
This support will also be continued by the foundation, emphasized Karl F. Appl in his speech. The Basel Mission wants to help "to carry forward the message of a philanthropic God who opens up opportunities for reconciliation, peace and justice". This also includes continuing to support Mission 21 with financial resources for its activities as an international learning community and in international cooperation.
Text: Christoph Rácz
