Renewal 2028 is a series of events commemorating the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement. Each year, local churches host the event in a different region of the world.
Renewal 2028 Events:
2025
2024
Ever-transforming, together we live Jesus
Saturday, 6 April 2024 7:00 19:30
1ª Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas do Boqueirão – Cruz Verde, Curitiba, Brazil
2023
Jesus Christ, Our Hope
25 March 2023
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
South Abbotsford Church, Abbotsford, B.C., Canada
This is the sixth in a series of annual regional events that will culminate at MWC Assembly 18 in 2028.
A time of worship, singing and testimonies from the global church.
You are invited to join in worship with global leaders of Mennonite World Conference for a celebration of the annual MWC Renewal event. Learn more about MWC, sing songs from the global church, hear testimonies of hope from different countries, and join in prayer for brothers and sisters in the faith from around the world. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow.
You can also watch the live stream if you are unable to join in Abbotsford. (Find your time here.)
2022
Renewal
– Holy Stadium, Semarang, Indonesia
Assembly closing service
2021
“Believe and Be Baptized”: A global conversation on baptism
– online
As we look ahead to the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement, the Faith and Life Commission will host webinars in June 2021 focused on baptism.
We are happy to announce that Renewal took place as an online event in 2021, focused on the theme of baptism and the recently-published final report of the Trilateral Dialogue on baptism. (Read more)
The interactive webinars will provide teaching and offer opportunity for discussion about this central practice in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition.
Renewal decade commemorates 500th anniversary
2020
Jesus Christ, our hope
– Abbotsford, B.C.
In 2020, we were forced to cancel the Renewal event scheduled for Abbotsford, B.C., Canada, because of the global pandemic.
2019
“Justice on the Journey: Migration and the Anabaptist story”
– Iglesia Vida Abundante, San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica, Saturday, 6 April 2019
“The Anabaptist tradition invites us to be faithful followers of Jesus and His Gospel, especially in the midst of global crises such as wars, destruction, violence and injustice… where many people must leave their homes and migrate. It is for this reason that on this occasion we are examining the theme ‘In pursuit of Justice’,’” Maykol Luis García Morelli said.
2018
“The Holy Spirit transforming us”
– Kisumu, Kenya, Saturday, 21 April 2018
A day-long public conference on the theme “The Holy Spirit transforming us” took place 21 April 2018 in Kisumu, Kenya. The gathering explored how Anabaptist-Mennonites around the world have understood the Holy Spirit in the past, and how the Holy Spirit animates our global community today.
Anabaptist-Mennonite speakers reflected on the theme, with opportunities for all participants to join in worship, singing and discussion. The gathering takes place in connection with meetings of the MWC General Council, Networks and Commissions.
This is the second in a series of annual regional events that will culminate at MWC Assembly 18 in 2028.
An invitation to Renewal 2018: The Holy Spirit Transforming Us
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes” (Psalm 133:1–2).
On behalf of the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC), I welcome the entire Mennonite World Conference family to our country, Kenya, for the meetings of the MWC General Council and Networks, and to Kisumu on April 21 for the Renewal 2018 gathering. “Let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise” (Psalm 95:1–2). Your visit to Kenya during this time is considered to us as a special favour from God.
KMC is a Protestant church, rooted purely in the Anabaptist faith. We have been one of the member churches of the Mennonite World Conference since our beginning more than half a century ago. The conference serves a population of some 11,000 converts from different ethnic groups in Kenya (Luos, Maasai, Kalenjin, Luhyas, Saboat among other tribes). The Kenya Mennonite Church is divided into seven dioceses led by bishops and by a national executive council chaired by the bishop moderator. The conference currently has 60 ordained ministers, with 40 pastors and 20 deacons.
We thank God and Mennonite World Conference for granting the KMC Conference the great opportunity to host this global event that will bring together people from all nations into our country. Renewal 2018 is purposed to be an opportunity to celebrate, critique and renew the theological tradition that has shaped the member churches of MWC, and engage in broader conversation with other Anabaptist related groups and the broader Christian church.
We say thank you for coming and God bless you!
—Bishop Philip E. Okeyo, Moderator, Kenya Mennonite Church
2017
“Transformed by the Word: Reading the Bible in Anabaptist Perspectives”
– Augsburg, Germany, 12 February 2017
The gathering, which occurred some 500 years after Luther’s famous appeal to sola scriptura launched the Reformation, explored how Anabaptist-Mennonites around the world have engaged Scripture in the past…and how Scripture continues to be relevant in our global community today. The gathering took place in connection with meetings of the MWC Executive Committee and Commissions.
Click here to read more: Renewal 2028 testimonies
Voices of MWC on Anabaptism:
Elisabeth Kunjam, India
“Why am I an Anabaptist? While I live and worship in an interdenominational setting, I love the fact that Anabaptism challenges me to be a radical follower of Jesus Christ: to serve, not to be served; to seek reconciliation, not retaliation; to love; and to witness.
Richard Showalter, USA
I am an Anabaptist because those who led me to Jesus and discipled me were Anabaptists and I am convinced that Anabaptism is essentially a faithful expression of New Testament Christianity. In short, Peter, Paul, and Lydia were ‘Anabaptists’ of the first century.”
Adi Walujo, Indonesia
“I’m an Anabaptist because it’s the way as a Jesus follower, as my understanding Anabaptists live as Jesus lived.”
Francisca Ibanda, Democratic Republic of Congo
“I am an Anabaptist because I was touched by their Bible teachings and their doctrinal principles.”
Marc Pasqués, Spain
“I’m an Anabaptist because it is a Church committed to peacemaking, love and dialogue. And also because it is a church proud of its history, but that doesn’t close itself with traditions because of its radical nature.
Danisa Ndlovu, Zimbabwe
“I am an Anabaptist because Scripture is foundational for my faith and conduct. Christ for he was and is, the model for my spiritual journey in this life.”