Christian Engineers in Development has started exploring collaboration opportunities with like-minded organisation Engineering Ministries International.
EMI and CED share the same faith, values and aims. We both aim to share our Christian faith while helping the poorest communities in the world with technical skills.
The next step in the growing relationship between EMI and CED will take place at the CED 40th Anniversary AGM and Open Day on Saturday 4th October 2025 when Meg Collin and Genevieve Leake will attend and introduce themselves and EMI.
Please pray that the relationship between EMI and CED will grow and produce fruitful outcomes for the poorest communities in the world. It seems possible that the first overseas collaboration will be in Uganda where both organisations have been working independently for some time.
EMI was founded in the USA at about the same time that CED was founded in the UK. EMI started a branch in the UK in 2007.
In practical ways we have different approaches. EMI has grown larger than CED and now works in many countries around the world. They do not have members in the way that CED has members. They have staff in their sending countries who are self-funded, and they employ 300 people in 12 countries where they aim to serve the local communities. CED is almost entirely volunteers working from home. Unlike CED, EMI has some involvement in emergencies.
The first recorded meeting between EMI and CED was in 2012 at ICE London and we agreed to cooperate. In 2024 Jonathan Cox of CED had a good conversation with Meg Collin of EMI at their stand at David’s Tent. In November 2024 Rob Wakeling attended an EMI meeting online and later Rob attended an EMI meeting in Sheffield hosted Genevieve Leake of EMI. This was one of their biannual regional networking events to connect Christians in the built environment. In May a meeting of the two organisations was held online. Four key members of each organization attended and introduced themselves. There were several suggestions for collaboration.
Soon after the meeting, Nigel Heeler of CED approached EMI in Uganda with the help of Stephen Douglas, the UK Director of EMI. An online meeting was held with Daniel Propst, Research and Development Manager for EMI Uganda. This led to a meeting with Jason Chandler online in Colorado.
Both organisations can now share experiences and refer to each other when there are opportunities to do so. Each organisation arranges Tech Talks or Presentations online and we could encourage CED members to attend EMI events.
As we get to know each other better, we hope our friendship and fellowship will grow. It is encouraging to those involved in both organisations when we meet together, share our experiences and plan for the future.
For further information about EMI (UK and worldwide), see the EMI website and please use their general email address info.uk@emiworld.org if you would like to find out more.
Rob Wakeling
