We are one

Evangelism rallies, energetic music and dancing all day; witnessing, altar calls with a dozen respondents. Praying is loud, through tears or joy. You can feel the enthusiasm.  

I was heartily welcomed by the Mennonite Brethren church in DR Congo to celebrate their 100th anniversary in August 2024.  

The multiday event was held in a big new church built across from the MWC member church’s headquarters in Kikwit, Kwilu province, an eight-hour drive over 500 kms from Kinshasa.  

But the distances did not deter: people gathered.  

Some 2 500 people packed the large church to celebrate the anniversary of CEFMC (Communauté des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo) in 5 hours of worship service.  

Bishop Daniel Onashuyaka Lunge of the ecumenical Église du Christ au Congo (ECC) gave a sermon on unity – an ever-present challenge for church communions around the world.  

CEFMC, an MWC member church, has its challenges but also many gifts. 

The leaders of CEFMC wants to see the church become self-supporting but also to create healthy partnerships. They pray for pastors and evangelists to spread the message.  

They are dealing with trauma from colonialism and a culture of mistrust resulting from systemic corruption in government systems.  

The need for qualified leadership in the church is acutely felt; not only for education but also to practice countercultural servant leadership that is not tempted toward corruption, tribal divisions and ego-driven displays of power. 

The vast geography of the resource-rich country creates both riches and hardships. Protracted violence, especially from armed rebels in the East, sends displaced people to all corners of the country and beyond.  

I presented Antoine Kimbila and CEFMC with a plaque of commemoration on behalf of the global family. To remind them they are part of this large global family who shares their joys and struggles. 

And they have a lot of gifts to share with our family. 

The emotional vibrancy of their connection to Jesus is a gift. Even through an hours-long church service, their faith is palpable. 

Their practice of community is a gift. Church members welcome displaced people from the East with open arms. They listen and share strategies for trauma healing. They offer food and even take refugees into their own homes. 

Their faith is a gift. In the West, once we have money, we build. In DRC, when there is a vision, they begin to build, praying patiently and trusting for what is needed to continue.  

Their baptisms are a gift. For some, conversion entails a significant turning away from another way of living. In their baptisms and beyond, they live out a strong sense of being saved. 

When I visit churches, I always say, “I can greet you in the name of César García (our general secretary), but not in the name of MWC because then you would be greeting yourself. You are MWC.”  

Then I take a picture with the gathered people waving at the camera as they greet the other 1.5 million believers who are MWC.  

My being there is a sign of their part in this bigger global family. That is why these in-person visits continue to be important in a time of Zoom meetings.  

As I taste the dust and the heat and feel the joyful spirit of faith and hope in Jesus alongside these believers on the other side of the world, we are both reminded that we are one. We are worth each other’s time. We are tied together in this global family of faith.  

—Henk Stenvers, from the Netherlands, is the president of MWC (2022-2028).