Prayers of gratitude and intercession

Testimonies from Latin America

Creation is immense, an extremely large painting. A quick glance from a distance shows us a single painting; however, when one approaches and observes very closely, we discover that this apparently single painting is made up of millions of tiny squares, and I am one of those tiny squares.  

I am an integral part of that great mosaic of God. Being part of God’s mosaic gives me security because in it I am spiritually contained and protected. 

The Apostle Paul said that the church is like the body, composed of many distinct parts, and all together the various parts form the whole body. Each part is important, even the little finger.  

The global Anabaptist family is the body of Christ, made up of many members, and all together we form a whole unit that is the big and beautiful picture of God.  

The first time I participated in an MWC Assembly was in 1984, in Strasbourg, France. I was a young leader then, and because it was my first experience, I understood very little about the significance of this one event. It was a meeting of our family scattered around the world. It was a party, where we celebrated with brothers and sisters from other parts of the world. Despite the cultural and language barriers, there was a great connection made visible in our shared worship, greetings or just a smile. 

For me, this experience with MWC is like what Proverbs 4:18 says: “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” The different events and relationships in MWC lead me to a better understanding that I am a part of the big picture of God.  

This understanding moves me to think and pray for our family scattered throughout the world. Their well being and their pain are also mine. I am reminded that I must not be selfish and think only about my part of the world, because beyond my world there are many other worlds that are also part of the great picture of God.  

That picture of God could also be compared to a building. When one stops and looks from a distance one observes a beautiful building, but as we get closer, we realize that this building is made up of thousands of parts. Some parts are large blocks like the pillars, and other parts are as tiny as the valve on the water tap. If that valve were to fail, we would immediately realize its importance and as quickly as possible we would look for a solution before the whole building is impacted. The large pillars and the tiny valves are all important to make a beautiful building. 

I want to see my life inside this immense picture of God. Perhaps I am only a tiny member, a small cell in this body. But I know that I am an equally vital part, so that God’s mosaic is complete and beautiful. 

—Juan Silverio Verón, Hermanos Menonitas Maranata, Asunción, Paraguay.

Testimonies from Latin America

The joy of belonging to the Anabaptist Christian family 

The possibility of mutual exchange and opportunities to share with the mosaic of brothers and sisters from the big picture of various Anabaptist churches contributes to affirming and cementing my faith, spirituality and personal identity as an Anabaptist Christian. Through these interactions, I have the opportunity to enrich my understanding of faith and to experience the presence of God in diverse and profound ways. 

A. Anabaptist theological perspectives:

I am exposed to a variety of theological perspectives and practical approaches to faith. This helps me broaden my understanding of the Bible, theology and the core values of Anabaptism. Through these interactions, I can deepen my faith and see it from new perspectives while challenging my assumptions or former ways of thinking.  

From my spiritual childhood in Anabaptism, I have grown to develop a secure personal Anabaptist identity.  

B. The community and shared testimony:

I appreciate the value of community and shared witness. Through the testimonies of others, I witness how different communities live their faith in unique and diverse ways, reflecting the “manifold grace of God” and the gifts and experiences that God has given to these believers, followers of Jesus.  

This encourages me to value and celebrate “plurality” in the church and to understand that unity in following Jesus does not imply uniformity, but harmony in the midst of our differences. 

C. Justice and reconciliation:

Through the diversity of experiences and perspectives, I am confronted with issues of justice and reconciliation.  

By interacting with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures and traditions, I am challenged to examine the power structures and injustices present in the world. This fuels my commitment to social justice and leads me to look for ways to build bridges and promote reconciliation amid our differences. 

D. An identity that is open and rooted:

I learn to appreciate and embrace my own Anabaptist identity while opening myself to diversity and interconnectedness with other traditions and cultures. I discovered that my identity is not in competition with other identities but is enriched and strengthened through dialogue and relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.  

This openness broadens my horizon and allows me to grow as a person and as a follower of Christ. 

The sharing and mutual exchange with a mosaic of people from our big world of diverse places, Anabaptist churches and communities are a blessing in my spiritual life. This broadens my understanding of faith, strengthens my personal identity and fosters a deeper commitment to justice and reconciliation. Through these shared experiences, I sense the presence of God more deeply, and am challenged to live my faith in a more authentic and committed way. 

—Carlos Avalos, pastor, Iglesia de los Hermanos en Cristo “Bellos Horizontes”, Managua, Nicaragua.

Choose texts (one or several) that work for your congregation in your context. 

Job 42:1-6 

Becoming a servant of a sovereign and just God 

Have we ever questioned the sovereignty and justice of God? It was not easy for Job to understand the situation he lived through, and he made it clear that he was angry with God. Later he repented of his attitude, and he recognized the great power and perfect justice of God. 

God is still sovereign over the bigger picture. Jesus said that anyone who would give up something for the kingdom of God would be rewarded. 

In my context, currently violence in all its forms has taken over all layers of Colombian society. I did not understand how far the mercy of God would go in my work to train people for a specific ministry with the suffering population (elderly people and migrants of all ages).  

• How do we hear God and see God when our eyes see the suffering of the migrants daily? 
• The widow’s torn heart? 
• The violence exerted on the orphan? 
• The fear of the pregnant woman who flees from the violent parent? 
• The abuse toward the young woman and the child who has been rejected? 

The call to the church is to take measures to reduce pain in all its forms in its context, forming a new people that sows peace, harmony, tranquility and truth. Those instructed in the Word of God are transformed in their hearts to make decisions by faith to remain in the light of the gospel. It is there that the text from Job comes to life, with eyes to see the care, the love and the mercy of the living God taking human form as it walks with the weak, the needy, the exiled, the ones who have suffered violence. 

The harmony of “my peace I leave you, my peace I give you: not as the world gives it, I give it” (John 14:27) is the treasure of a heart renewed and transformed by the power of the Word that feels the pain of sisters and brothers, and even gives its life for them. 

In my context, those who suffer (Venezuelan refugees and the elderly) invite us to accompany them, to be cared for in their pain by those who feel their affliction alongside them.  

Only Jesus Christ in us gives us the ability to walk alongside and accompany those who suffer. 

In my context, the elderly who are abandoned and the Venezuelan refugees are images that form a new cultural mosaic. These are people who enrich our culture by bringing in diverse visions, giving birth to new cultures. 

The main question of the book of Job does not go away: “Why do believers experience problems and suffering?” 

Would Job’s message have changed if God had not restored him to his former blessings? No. 

God is in control of the bigger picture. The journey of faith, even amid suffering, is the way of life. 

—Maria Del Rosario Peña De Melo, Iglesia Cristiana Encuentro de Renovación y Restauración, Comunidad Menonita de Riohacha, Colombia

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Psalm 8

Becoming part of God’s bigger picture 

This is the first psalm of praise in the book of Psalms, an entire song of praise and worship. 

This psalm declares the immense beauty and size of God’s creation, the earth and all the heavens. It helps us offer our praise and worship to God, whose glory is bigger than Creation (verses 1, 3, 5-8). God’s majestic sovereignty is revealed in two quite different ways: in the heights of heaven and in the dust of the earth. God’s picture is big. 

God reveals God’s majesty by defeating enemies through the weakness of children and infants. God displays God’s glory by using weak people to do God’s great work (verses 2, 4-6). God is still in engaged in displaying God’s glory through weak people like you and like me. 

David asks the same philosophical question that Job and many others ask (verse 4): “what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Rather than focusing on unfair suffering, David celebrates the fact that God has given us glory and honour beyond our deserving. God put us in charge of this world, not to abuse it, but to care for it, to protect it and to make the most of it, by becoming part of God’s bigger picture. 

—Arli Klassen, First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Canada.

John 10:14-16

Becoming part of God’s great panorama 

There are times when we wonder how God forms a specific people, starting with one person and their family in the Old Testament. God established a covenant with the patriarchs, with specific conditions that must be fulfilled for them to be the people of God.  

But what about the other people who are not born into this (blood) family that God has chosen? How is it possible to be part of the people of God? 

This is precisely what the gospel is about, “the good news” that tells us that through Jesus Christ we are all welcome to be part of this people of God, this family of God.  

God calls, and we respond.  

We come from different parts of the world, with different customs and languages and ideas, but with Jesus Christ we can be one, we are the people of God. Jesus Christ is our Guide, our Shepherd who goes before us to walk in the perfect will of God.  

Let us see how the Gospel of John shows us how Jesus is our guide and our shepherd, and who we are because of Jesus. 

What do we learn about the Shepherd, Jesus Christ? 

Jesus our Shepherd is good and kind. This is experienced by all, transmitting confidence to all the followers of Jesus. Jesus Christ loves everyone equally. 

Jesus our Shepherd knows the Father and the Father knows the Shepherd. We learn to know Jesus, the one we follow, and knowing that Jesus is well known by the one who sends Jesus also gives us confidence. A deep relationship between the two (Father and Son) is necessary and they are one. 

Jesus our Shepherd knows his sheep and his sheep know him. Of course, the Shepherd knows well the sheep that belong to his flock, and so do the sheep know him as their own Shepherd. The Shepherd spends time with them to get to know them well, and so that they can know him. Jesus Christ knows each person who follows him. He knows and understands each need or difficulty that his followers go through. 

Jesus our Shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. This willingness is true, even though they are not all “good” sheep or “good” followers. Jesus Christ gave his life and shed his blood to save all people. 

Jesus our Shepherd welcomes other sheep too. The Shepherd not only takes care of the sheep that are already in his fold; he keeps calling other sheep that are looking for a shepherd to guide them. He does not reject anyone and wants the other sheep to come to him because he gave his life for all of them. 

What do we learn about the sheep in the flock? 

The sheep get to know their guide, their shepherd. They do this by spending time with their leader and being willing to learn from him. It is only by knowing Jesus Christ, and following his example, that we can grow in our faith. 

What do we learn about the other sheep? 

All the sheep are welcome. The other sheep outside are apparently lost and need a home, someone to watch over them and must be brought into the flock. They are welcome in the family of God. 

The other sheep will also learn to be obedient. They will also learn to know their good shepherd as well as all the rest of the sheep in the flock. They will be part of the family of God.  

In summary: 

The people of God are the flock who follow Jesus the good Shepherd as their guide.  

Jesus the good Shepherd is the one who leads the people of God, who has gone in front as a model for us all. 

All the people of God follow Jesus by getting to know him and forming one people, and thus are one people within God’s will. 

—Mirta P√©rez, Campo Alegre, Convención Evang√©lica Hermanos Menonitas Nivacle, Neuland Colony, Paraguay.

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Ephesians 4:1-6 

Living in unity  

Goal: That the church understands the importance of living in unity. 

One of Jesus’ greatest concerns before his ascension was that the church, his body on earth, remain united. In Jesus’ final prayer, Jesus asked his Father that believers might be one, so that the world might believe his message (John 17:21-23).  

The effectiveness of Christian witness is directly related to the uniqueness of Christian unity. Throughout history, there have been many kingdoms, governments, coalitions, companies, societies and even churches that have divided and even disappeared due to lack of unity. Paul’s first point about the worth of Christian commitment requires unity among believers. Each congregation can only make an impact in the community when we walk together in the bond of peace.  

But it is difficult to walk in unity.  

A. Walking in unity requires disciplined attitudes. 

• Unity requires braveness and courage. (Ephesians 4:1, 1‚ÄØCorinthians 16:13) 
  • Illustration: Alexander the Great had in his army a soldier who was fearful, skittish and cowardly in battle. This soldier was named Alexander. On a certain occasion the king called him, and after talking to him for a while, quite angrily told him: “Change your name, or behave like an Alexander!” 
  • All those who call themselves Christians must behave as followers of Jesus Christ: being faithful to him, imitating him, obeying him, following him… or change your name; but do not say that you are Christian. 
• Unity requires humility (Ephesians 4:2, Romans 12:3, Philippians 2:3) 
• Unity requires gentleness and patience (Ephesians 4:2, Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 5:5-9) 

B. Walking in unity requires ceaseless attention (Ephesians 4:2-3) 

• We are asked to continually bear with one another in love; and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
• Unity requires being with my neighbour. It requires being supportive of my friends, such as putting up with their bad temper, their jokes and maybe‚Ķ their bad smells. 
• Unity requires consideration and diligence. It means acting with consideration to preserve unity and being diligent and quick to protect it. It means doing everything possible on one’s part to save unity. 
• We are asked to do these things because we are one in Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6) 

Application: 

• Do your actions and reactions enhance or destroy the unity of our church? 
• How can you do something concrete to contribute to the unity of our church? 
• Make the solemn decision that if something does not unify or build, you will not say it and you will not do it. 
• In this coming year, are we each willing to work at unity? 
• God created unity. It is our task to protect unity in the church.  

—Freddy Barrón, Iglesia Evang√©lica Menonita Boliviana ‚Äì Sina√≠, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Show the greeting videos to hear the connections with Latin American sisters and brothers (see multimedia resources) 

Show the MWC map to help people see the Anabaptists all around the world mwc-cmm.org/map 

At the start of the service light 5 candles at the front in different colours, one for each of the 5 continents, and light the Christ candle in the middle. During the service or at the end of the service there could be prayers for blessing the sisters and brothers in different regions of the world.  

“We know that we are part of a larger community, but sharing this Sunday leads us to live it concretely,” says Sylvain Lavoué, church board vice president at Église Protestante Mennonite, Villeneuve le Comte, France. The church celebrated Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday by using the testimonies and videos the worship resource provided by Mennonite World Conference.  

“Listening to the Bible verses read by our brothers and sisters in Burkina was rich in emotions. It was as though they were attending the celebration with us,” Veronique Lavoué, Église Protestante Mennonite. 

Photo: Église Protestante Mennonite braided fabric at their monthly Saturday Ecocreatif workshop. Congregants from age 6 to 62 formed the word “esperance” (hope) to decorate the church building. “The participants of the workshop felt more involved in the service through this work. That is always a challenge to involve children so that they feel part of the global church,” says Veronique Lavoué.  

“We thank MWC to lead us in wonderful and blessed celebration of Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday. This has surely united and encouraged us to grow as a global Anabaptist family,” says Ashish Milap, pastor of Bethel Mennonite Church, Balodgahan India.  

At Bethel Mennonite, Sunday worship celebrated the birthday of the Anabaptist-Mennonite church. Translated into Hindi, “How Mennonites came to be,” testimonies and prayers from the worship package were shared along with songs from Assembly.  

Ashish Milap, part of the international choir in Indonesia, chose the simplest songs. “I thank my church choir that with hard work they learned songs in different language on Saturday to teach congregation on Sunday”: “Cantai ao Senhor” in Portuguese, “Siyahamba” om Xhosa; “Dalam Jesus Kita Bersaudara” in Indonesian and “Kwake Yesu nasimama” in Swahili. “Church members said they enjoyed learning and singing new songs in different language.” 

Photo: Bethel Mennonite Church, Balodgahan India

Some 3 000 people from six IEIMA congregations in Cafunfo in Angola gathered to celebrate Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday together. Nine pastors from around the province received their ordination at the service. “The Lord was gloried by the songs, testimonies and offerings,” says Daniel Canganguela, presiding officer of Igreja Evangélica dos Irmãos Mennonitas em Angola (IEIMA). 

Photo: President of the national ordination commission Rev. Antônio Panzo (left) hands new ordinand Andre Mukanishi (right) his certificate.  

Celebrating AWFS is very important because it reconnects us from our grassroots as an Anabaptist-related church,” says Rev. Ndaba Nyathi pastor at BIC Bulawayo Central Church. “The church enjoyed the whole program of praying for one another and encouraging each other on social and spiritual challenges. Our faith of being in a global family is being refreshed through the Word and prayer items. 

The meeting in 2003 is still remembered for brethren accepting each other even from different cultures and colour. It left the message of love and peace amongst the Brethren in Christ. The praying and worshipping together brought some revival.” 

 

Iglesia Del Dios Viviente Rama, part of Convención Menonita de Nicaragua, celebrated the 498th anniversary of the Anabaptism movement with the Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday worship materials. 

Photo: Iglesia Del Dios Viviente Rama, Nicaragua

Pins on the map represent congregations celebrating AWFS. Is your church missing? Let us know: info@mwc-cmm.org. 

Anabaptist Word Fellowship Sunday 2023 Photo Album