5th Annual Gathering of AACM – 2025

Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity

The fifth gathering of the Afghan Ministers Association was held in 2025 under the theme “Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity.” This theme reflected a reality we had experienced many times over the years: God had brought together people with different backgrounds, personalities, perspectives, experiences, and ministries to be united in Christ amid their differences.

We knew that we differed from one another in many ways. Yet what had held us together was our shared faith in Jesus Christ and our common calling to serve the Afghan people. This unity in Christ brought us together from the beginning and continues to shape our path.

Highlights of the Gathering

This gathering continued the association’s “New Season,” a season in which we witnessed fresh developments, opportunities, and achievements. Over the previous year, significant events had taken place among Afghan ministry workers, and many new initiatives and partnerships were taking shape. We saw these developments as the fruit of the unity, prayers, and fellowship of past years.

Among the most significant milestones recognized and celebrated at this gathering were:

• The launch of a 24-hour Afghan Christian television channel, established to bring the message of hope and the gospel to Afghans.

• The formation of the Bible Society for Afghanistan, a new ministry supporting greater access to God’s Word for Afghans.

• The laying on of hands and formal confirmation of Brother Jawad as leader of the Afghan Ministers Association, along with the introduction and election of new leadership board members to continue serving in this new season.

These moments were important milestones for the association and signs of growth and maturity in a unity that had begun years earlier through prayer and fellowship.

Challenges

As in previous years, some of our dear brothers and sisters were unable to attend because of difficulties with travel documents and immigration restrictions. Their absence was deeply felt.

With the expansion of ministries and the emergence of new projects and organizations, there was also a greater need for coordination and cooperation among these ministries. Meanwhile, the review of the association’s bylaws continued, and important work remained to complete its organizational structures and plan for the future.

Outcomes and What We Took Home

One of the most beautiful parts of this gathering was celebrating the ministries that had grown and borne fruit through this unity. Each ministry had its own identity, approach, and focus, and there were many differences among them. Yet we all rejoiced to see that these ministries had emerged from a shared bond of brotherly and spiritual unity.

At the end of the gathering, we renewed our commitment to remain united in love, mutual respect, and cooperation despite all our differences. We prayed that God would preserve this unity and help us serve together, with all our diversity and differences, for the glory of His name.

The fifth gathering of the Afghan Ministers Association reminded us that true unity does not mean being the same. It means walking together in Christ, accepting one another, and moving together toward the purpose God has set before us.