MORAVIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION

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HISTORY
The history of the Moravian Church Foundation starts in the first half of the eighteenth century when two German tradesmen leave their homes and travel overseas to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. They are members of the Moravian Brethren.

Leading and inspiring members of the Moravian Brethren are Jan Hus (1400) and Jan Amos Comenius (17th century), the first Moravian bishop. But it is Ludwig Graf von Zinzendorf who leads the members of his flock to countries far away where they are supposed not only to preach but also to provide for themselves as tradesmen, according to the Paulistic principles.

In 1735 the first Moravian or Hernhutter group arrives in Paramaribo, Suriname. Many more will follow, many will not survive the climate and tropical diseases but some will be successful, both as a preacher and a tradesman. 

Thus on June 28, 1768 three Hernhutter or Moravian brothers sign the purchase deed for a building in the centre of Paramaribo, Suriname, one of them being Christoph Kersten, under whose name a tailoring and drapery trade are conducted.

The building serves as a residence for the Brothers and Sisters remaining in Paramaribo and houses the tailoring business as well. Shortly both living quarters and business need more room and  the growing congregation is in need of a church building which is festively consecrated on May 31, 1777.
The first shop of Kersten's in the Steenbakkerijstraat 1768 The Kersten shop in 2008

 
The Moravian Church has become one of the most influential religious and social institutions in Suriname. C. Kersten & Co. has grown not only to one of the country's largest enterprises, but has also created possibilities and circumstances to establish other Moravian businesses on several continents. Today the Moravian Church has churches in more than 20 countries all over the world, united in the Unitas Fratrum ("United Brothers") and periodically meeting in Unity Synods.

By establishing the Mission Anstallt in 1894, the Unity Synod started the process of separating Church and Business. In the course of the twentieth century various adjustment were made to stress this principle.

All Unity enterprises have been transferred to one foundation, now known as the Moravian Church Foundation. The establishing of MCF Business Enterprises (2006) as a separate entity is the ultimate consequence.

MISSION

The objective remains unchanged: income from the enterprises is used to finance activities for the benefit of the Moravian church and its social activities.

It is a resolution of the Moravian Unity Synod that the Moravian Church Foundation is to support the Moravian Unity in the following order of priority:

  • Support to theological training.
  • Support to the Moravian Church in Suriname for economic, educational and social activities.
  • The Unity Archives in Herrnhut by means of an annual grant.
  • Support for Unity undertakings in South Asia, for the Moravian Rehabilitation Centre Star Mountain near Ramallah (West Bank) and for the Unity Fund.
  • Any other projects the Unity Board deems eligible for financial support.