Church of Sweden Mission.

The Church of Sweden Mission was founded in 1874 and has since then been the extended arm of Church of Sweden in its mission in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The first missionaries of Church of Sweden Mission went to South Africa and India in 1876. They were soon followed by others who set out for Zimbabwe, China and Tanzania.

The churches that were built up with the help of Church of Sweden Mission at the beginning of the 20th century are now independent and have their own leadership. During recent years the Mission has also established forms of co-operation with other churches and Christian organizations. One of the objectives of Church of Sweden Mission is to decrease the financial dependency of the churches with which it works and to increase the influence these churches can exert over the priorities of the Mission. The goal is mutual benefit and equality in relationships.

Reference: The Church of Sweden Mission, History (http://www.svenskakyrkan.se/skm/skmeng.htm). Accessed April 2002.

From the guide to the Records of the Church of Sweden Mission, 1973-1984, (University of Birmingham Information Services, Special Collections Department)