CMS and SAMS in historic merger

Members of the Church Mission Society (CMS) have voted overwhelmingly to integrate with the South American Mission Society (SAMS).

A Special General Meeting held in Oxford on Tuesday endorsed a resolution proposed by the Trustees of the Society by a 99 per cent majority.

The meeting is the culmination of over 18 months of negotiations to unite the two historic mission agencies.

SAMS President Bishop Pat Harris said following its vote in favour of the merger last November that the organisation would keep its name and continue in a different form as a regional partner of CMS in Africa, Asia and Europe.

During 2009 the two societies will work in close cooperation to create the new legal entity. The move requires a final vote by SAMS but in November the General Council of SAMS approved the merger in principle by an 84 per cent margin.

CMS General Secretary Canon Tim Dakin told the meeting that the move would create a “truly global mission society” and “bring a new injection of energy” to Christian mission.