Our International SOMA Family

SOMA is an international family. We are bantamweight; able to make quick response; have relatively unencumbered structures. Let me introduce you. We have national bodies in nine countries: Canada, USA, Ireland, UK, Uganda, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. Of the nine national directors, eight are priests; two are women, and only a handful work full-time in ministry.

We have two full-time Associate Directors, one of whom is clergy. Another clergyman is an honorary Associate Director. Two SOMAS’ employ full-time administrators, both laywomen. The combined budgets for all of the SOMA’s are modest indeed, perhaps the size of a moderately-sized Episcopal Church.

These nine SOMA’s are linked collegially with each other under the umbrella of an International Board comprised of seven Bishops; twelve clergy; two laywomen; one layman and includes the National and Associate Directors. The officers of the Board are: Chairman, the Rev. David Harper from New Zealand and rector of a church in the USA; Vice-Chair, the Rev. Trevor Pearce from South Africa; Treasurer, Mr. Keith Chua of Singapore; and Secretary, Mr. Richard Hines from the USA. These four officers along with two elected National Directors, the Rev. Don Brewin and Mrs. Edwina Thomas, serve at the Executive Group of the International Board and are empowered to make decisions as necessary for the good of the international family.

Together we planned to deploy 83 mission teams in 2002. Sometimes trips are rescheduled or cancelled for various reasons. Donors include individuals and churches. Hundreds of persons pray for this ministry, including the individuals who go, intercessors for specific mission teams in the field, and the SOMA bodies who work to send. Hundreds of churches have participated in this ministry and many have formed flourishing relationships with the global church outside of the SOMA mandate. Partnerships between churches, dioceses, and friendships between individuals are all a legacy of which SOMA is proud.

In 1986, Mrs. Jeanne Harper, the wife of SOMA’s founder, the Rev. Michael Harper, was given a vision: a net stretching over and covering the entire globe. Each intersection “knot” that joined strands was glistening with gold. God has certainly honored that vision.

We know and believe that SOMA is all about relationships. We value trust, collegiality, service, and partnership. We value you and your support of our ministry.