“These are global issues we share together!” said several participants in webinars by the Networks of Mennonite World Conference.
The two education networks (GAHEN* & GAPSEN*) and GASN* held online workshops the first quarter of the year to resource their members.
*Global Anabaptist Higher Education Network (GAHEN)
*Global Anabaptist Primary/Secondary Education Network (GAPSEN)
*Global Anabaptist Service Network (GASN)
Education that shapes for solidarity
For GAHEN, Santiago Espitia Fajardo of Colombia spoke on “Faith, Peace and Education: Anabaptist theological education in the Colombian sociopolitical context.”
For Colombia, an ongoing challenge for the country, and the church, is migration. This reality, among other socio-political and economic challenges shapes theological and ethical education at the seminary as it seeks to equip leaders for the church and society.
The Anabaptist tradition conceives of the church as an alternative community that embodies new forms of social, political, and economic relations, said Santiago Espitia Fajardo. This community is not only for spiritual experience, but also to practice relationships grounded in love, justice, solidarity and mercy.
He also spoke about taking an ecumenical perspective that promotes the recognition of Christian unity amidst the diversity of churches and theological traditions.
Santiago Espitia Fajardo is director of Seminario Bíblico Menonita de Colombia (SBMC), a theological education institution of the Mennonite church of Colombia (IMCOL).
Meeting today’s challenges
Members of GAPSEN learned together in a webinar entitled “AI support of Anabaptist schools in lesson planning.”
Arnold Driediger of the August-Hermann-Francke network of schools in Germany was the presenter. He shared a model for AI-supported lessons planning.
“We want not only to reach the minds of the students but also to touch their hearts,” said Arnold Driediger.
“Transforming the landscape of international development through innovative business solutions to poverty” was the title of GASN’s webinar. Omoneka Oyier of MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) presented on MEDA’s program plus model of development in the Global South.
The Networks were formed to create a space where leaders in church agencies can meet across geographic and linguistic barriers. Through the Networks, leaders have opportunities for teaching and learning relevant to their field within an Anabaptist framework.
See the MWC website (Get involved → Events → Webinars → All Network webinars) for more information on upcoming webinars.