Prayers of gratitude and intercession

Watch parties bring Assembly home 

“I think this type of ‘hybrid’ connectedness has great potential for strengthening the communion of Mennonite-related churches around the world,” says Ray Brubacher. 

Along with a planning team representing other MWC member churches in the region, Ray Brubacher organized daily watch parties in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, during Mennonite World Conference’s Assembly 17 in Indonesia, 5-10 July 2022.  

Taking part a little bit  

Each day, a different local church pastor served as “host” for the local event. When First Hmong Mennonite was host, the women’s group sold 500 homemade spring rolls to raise money for a ministry in Asia.  

Seventy people attended the opening event showcasing Indonesian culture at First Mennonite Kitchener. After a few days of an average of 20 in attendance, some 40 people gathered for the closing ceremony at Meheret Evangelical Church. This church of first-generation immigrants from Ethiopia was chosen to acknowledge the host country of the next Assembly in 2028.  

In Fresno, California, USA, Willow Avenue Mennonite hosted watch parties along with another two local congregations to screen plenaries, music and testimonies. Decorations from the local Mennonite Central Committee fair trade store adorned tables where participants enjoyed refreshments during a daily 90-minute gathering. On two days, they had a Zoom call with local church members who were in Indonesia.  

“It meant a lot of trying everyday – trying to find out if the Internet connection is working,” says Erwin Röthlisberger who watched Assembly sessions with Evangelische Mennoniten-Gemeinde Bern, Switzerland. “But it was nice to hear something from Indonesia and take part a little bit.” 

At Bethel Place, a retirement home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Henry and Marie Dueck coordinated watch parties in the common room.  

Bethel Place programming coordinator Melanie Camara helped the Duecks to set up the broadcast attended by 20-25 people – most of them retired missionaries, service workers or others with international experience.  

Due to pandemic activities, “we’re used to the idea of logging in,” says Henry Dueck. “We learned things and felt the connection again.”  

The international choir songs have become familiar, “so you can enter into worship,” says Marie Dueck.  

Steps to an international event 

Henry and Marie Dueck attended Assembly in Wichita (1978), Strasbourg (1984) and Winnipeg (1990) where Henry served as hosting coordinator. For Paraguay (2009) and Pennsylvania (2015), they also watched the sessions posted to YouTube. 

Henry Dueck recalls the “sea change” appointment of Million Belete from Ethiopia as MWC president in 1978. The first Assembly held in the Global South, “Curitiba (1972) was a step; Wichita was a step; India (1997) was a step” to a gathering that reflects all members of the international family.  

The strength of the Indonesia church, which first revealed itself to Henry Dueck in the 1960s was again on display. “It is eye-opening to see that camaraderie between groups doing significant interfaith dialogue,” says Marie Dueck. “You have those moments when you learn new things about that community [like Indonesia], and you realize, oh, that church has been there for a long time [GITJ and GKMI].”  

“It was nice to hear something from Indonesia and take part a little bit,” says Erwin Röthlisberger of Evangelische Mennoniten-Gemeinde Bern, Switzerland. He attended Assembly from his home in Europe.  

Videos from MWC’s Assembly Indonesia 2022 will begin to be posted on MWC’s website and YouTube channel starting in October.  

Until now, the plenaries and workshops were available only to registered participants. “We thank everyone who invested in Assembly by registering to attend online,” says Liesa Unger. “You took a risk to register for our first fully hybrid event. We are grateful for your patience with the unexpected.” 

Anyone can access the Assembly videos which will be rolled out gradually over the next months. See the Sufi dancers in Jepara; hear the testimony of harmony between a church and a mosque in Desa Tempur; watch Jeremiah Choi’s powerful testimony of faithfulness amid government pressure in Hong Kong, and watch workshops on creation care, Bible study and peace work.  

Assembly videos: MWC YouTube channel  

“MWC – Continuing the work Jesus began through worship, service, mission, and evangalism” (sic). These words are inscribed upon a wooden shepherd’s staff that J. Nelson Kraybill gave to president-elect Henk Stenvers 8 July 2022 as a symbol of Mennonite World Conference servant leadership.  

During the Assembly 17 worship service at GITJ Margokerto, the presidency of Mennonite World Conference transferred from J. Nelson Kraybill (2015-2022) to Henk Stenvers (2022-2028) at GITJ Margokerto, Indonesia.  

The congregation of GITJ Margokerto hosted a dozen MWC guests for four days during Assembly. Margokerto was one of the first colonies founded by Dutch Mennonite missionary P.A. Jansz for the evangelization of the region. 

Speakers for evening Assembly worship services were broadcast from a different satellite location each night to the main stage at STT Sangkakala in Salatiga, Indonesia, and to online viewers around the world. 

Incoming president Henk Stenvers has served a decade as Deacons Commission secretary, during which he pioneered Online Prayer Hour and played a key role in the coronavirus task force. He has served Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit (the Dutch Mennonite church) and the European Mennonites for almost 20 years. 

“We wholeheartedly supported Henk in the past years to travel a lot and serve in MWC…[and] express our continuing support,” said Miekje Hoffscholte-Spoelder, current chair of Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit. “We know that we are but a small part of Mennonite World Conference – a very interested part, however; with many projects and friendships in other countries.” 

“Our global church is deeply grateful for the ministry of Nelson Kraybill during these seven years,” says César García, MWC general secretary. “We will miss his pastoral heart, wisdom and willingness to serve unconditionally.” 

“Henk’s experience as a church leader in The Netherlands and his knowledge of the world church will be a great blessing in the years to come. It will be a privilege to work with him.” 

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*Today, there are three Anabaptist-Mennonite groups in Indonesia: Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ –Evangelical Church in the Land of Java) Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI –Muria Christian Church of Indonesia) Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (JKI –Indonesian Christian Congregation)

 

The GKMI synod office is “our home together” and a “house of prayer” for GKMI congregations. The GKMI synod had a longing: to invite the MWC executive committee, Commission secretaries, regional representatives, General Council, and MWC staff to “our home” for a welcome dinner.  

Since the beginning of June, we were preparing for this 4 July 2022 event. Approximately 70 people were involved.  

There was only one thing on our minds: to give the best we have, even in the midst of a lot of busyness and limitations. 

Although, the GKMI synod office building is still under construction, it was transformed for the guests. All existing shortcomings were not covered, but highlighted, so that guests could see how far the work has gone and what this building will look like in the future. 

The long-awaited day arrived. We were very excited (and nervous).  

When the 100 guests got off the bus, they were immediately greeted by our synod board. Pagar bagus and pagar ayu (ushers) – dressed in traditional clothes of many regions in Indonesia –provided hand sanitizer and guided guests to enjoy traditional snacks: serabi from Solo; risoles, a Semarang specialty; tea and juice.  

The Youth Commission of GKMI Sola Gratia accompanied by karawitan, a Javanese traditional music group from GKMI Lamper Mijen, performed the welcome dance, the Gambang Semarang Dance. Notably, Rev. Budi Santoso, pastor of the GKMI Lamper Mijen, played the bonang instrument in the gamelan.  

Our eyes sparkled with joy when we saw the excitement of the guests while watching it, even capturing it with their smartphone cameras. 

On the main staircase facing the pool, guests watched events in front of the chapel at the centre of the synod office. The performance of angklung, a musical instrument from West Java, played by GKMI Sola Gratia Sunday School children, punctuated speeches by the GKMI synod board and remarks from MWC president J. Nelson Kraybill (2015-2022). 

Mr. Undianto, a member of the GKMI Surakarta congregation and part of the GKMI synod office construction team, spontaneously gave offerings to Mennonite churches facing difficult times, accepted by representatives of the Mennonite church in Ghana, DR Congo and Bolivia. GKMI provided assistance through the Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit (Dutch Mennonite church) to Mennonite brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are victims of the war. And as stated by Rev. Amos Thang Chin, GKMI has also provided financial assistance to purchase food, medicine and medical equipment for around 450 church members who were forced to flee to the forest and live in makeshift tents due to the conflict in Myanmar. 

Under the shade of the night’s sky, the guests feasted on a dinner of Indonesian and international dishes, so that all could enjoy it. The meal was accompanied by soft music and lights, praises from GKMI worship and kulintang, a traditional Minahasa musical instrument, from the GKMI Sola Gratia Women’s Commission. 

Before the event closed, the staff of the synod office stood in the midst of the guests as traditional music with beats originating from Maumere, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara reverberated through the sound system, followed by an exciting lighting game. We danced the Maumere dance, joined by the guests who also danced with enthusiasm! 

“I have travelled to many places in the world, and I have never been greeted like this,” said J. Nelson Kraybill in his remarks, “The Mennonite brothers and sisters in Indonesia have truly wowed us with their extraordinary hospitality. Thank you!”  

His words, the smiles and laughter of the guests, and our dancing together were priceless. We felt like the child who brought five loaves and two fish to Jesus (Matthew 14:13-21). Although our offerings were homespun and not fancy, they were accepted. Jesus smiled. And he made it a blessing for many! 

At the event’s close, guests asked for the Maumere dance song…to dance together again! Praise the Lord!  

—Mark Ryan, “berita GKMI” magazine, Indonesia. Used with permission. 

With its national motto of “unity in diversity,” Indonesia proved a fitting host for the 17th Assembly of Mennonite World Conference – downsized by COVID-19 restrictions but full of joy, beauty and fellowship. 

In an outdoor venue at a Mennonite Bible college (JKI) on a mountaintop in the city of Salatiga on the island of Java, Anabaptists from 44 countries gathered 5–10 July 2022 for the global church reunion that’s held every six years — or seven, in this case, after a postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

A Christian celebration in a nation that is 87 percent Muslim, the event concluded with Sunday morning worship at the 12 000-seat Holy Stadium – home of JKI Injil Kerajaan, a Mennonite congregation that is one of Indonesia’s largest churches – in nearby Semarang. 

The pandemic long ago dashed hopes to fill the Anabaptist megachurch. MWC capped attendance at 1 000 because “we didn’t see how we could follow all the government’s rules that came with over 1 000,” said Liesa Unger, MWC chief international events officer. “Our biggest fear was not COVID itself but being shut down by the government.” 

On-site registration was 1 144 — 594 for the entire week and 550 for a day. Sixty-four came from the United States and 31 from Canada. At least 789 registered to watch the livestream individually or in groups around the world. 

The lack of MWC’s usual throng – the average daily attendance of 700 was about 10 percent of a typical Assembly – did not diminish the significance of getting a taste of what God is doing through about 107,000 Anabaptist Christians (from three synods: GKMI, GITJ and JKI)* in a Muslim-dominant and diversity-affirming nation. 

Religious harmony 

Didik Hartono, pastor of the GKMI congregation in Winong Village, told how his church and a neighbouring mosque live out Indonesia’s vision of religious harmony. 

The meeting places of the two faiths “seem to be as one,” he said, because a canopy extends across the street, connecting them. 

A video featured church and mosque members describing their friendship and cooperation as an example of “the ideals of Indonesia.” 

“May we all keep on building the brotherhood values and live in peace with everyone and also with ones who are not the same religion as us,” Hartono said. 

In one evening service, Sufi Muslim dervishes, or semazens, demonstrated the spiritual ritual of whirling. Wearing floor-length white frocks, long-sleeved white jackets and black felt hats, five men from Jepara’s Sufi Islamic community spun in circles, with arms raised, while women from the church sang and a band played. Sufism is a mystical form of Islam. Whirling is a meditative practice to draw closer to God. 

The Sufi religious dance was livestreamed from the Jepara GITJ congregation. Because the congregation works closely with the local Sufi community, the pastor wanted to invite Sufi participation, and MWC officials agreed, Unger said. 

The fact that the Sufi dancers were not present in Salatiga reflected the hybrid character of the assembly. Even on site, conference-goers became livestream watchers. To involve four congregations in Central Java that had expected to host visitors, MWC arranged for them to host parts of four evening services. Projected on a screen behind the stage, speakers and musicians at the remote sites reached local audiences and the main conference crowd. 

Disappointments 

Some conference-goers got COVID-19 and had to miss part of the Assembly. Everyone took a rapid test upon arrival. About 5 percent tested positive, but no one got seriously ill, Unger said. Everyone was asked to wear a mask at all times. 

César García, MWC general secretary, tested positive and had to quarantine for part of the week. Substitutes read the messages of two speakers, Salomé Haldemann of France and Willi Hugo Perèz of Guatemala. 

After more than two years of uncertainty and changing plans, organizers were relieved to pull the event off. 

At times, the Assembly itself seemed in doubt, said Paulus Widjaja, who chairs MWC’s national advisory committee in Indonesia. He’s grateful it wasn’t cancelled, but downsizing was a disappointment. 

“We were planning to have about 10 000 people,” Widjaja said. “We had hoped the president of Indonesia might come to the opening ceremony. We believed that if we invited him, he would come. Then corona came, and everything – poof!” 

Unger said: “I’m happy that we moved it by a year, because last year was the worst COVID time. India was in the media, but Indonesia was suffering even more.” 

Worship styles 

On Assembly’s four full days, conference-goers worshipped both morning and evening, with workshops and tours in the afternoon. An international ensemble led 45 minutes of singing to start the morning service and half an hour to open the evening meeting. 

Singers from around the world contributed diverse styles. On opening night, the worship team from the 18 000-member Jakarta Praise Community Church – one of several JKI congregations that are among the largest churches in all of Indonesia – brought high energy and rock-concert volume. 

Worshipers heard two featured speakers each morning and one each evening, plus other stories and testimonies, building on the assembly theme, “Following Jesus Together Across Barriers.” 

Each of the four full days focused on a different continent, and speakers addressed different aspects of what Anabaptists can do together: Europe, learning; Asia, living; Latin America, caring; Africa, celebrating. North America was featured in the opening service. 

Peace under consideration 

Many speakers offered personal views of events and situations in their countries and described how Anabaptists are seeking to bring peace and ease suffering. 

Jeremiah Choi, a pastor in Hong Kong, told of demonstrations and violence in recent years in response to the Chinese government’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s freedom. 

Many people are leaving Hong Kong for the United Kingdom, including 10 percent of his congregation, Agape Mennonite Church, “to seek a place of freedom and hope,” Choi said. But he has vowed to stay, to build the church and work for peace. 

“If you are facing an unpredictable tomorrow,” Choi said, “look up to God, and look to your calling.” 

Tigist Tesfaye Gelagle, a leader from Ethiopia, addressed the theme of celebration by asking how it was possible to celebrate amid the sins of war, hunger, racism, oppression of women and “when I am treated like a criminal at immigration in most countries. When I am treated as a terrorist. When I am at the mercy of my superiors. How can I enjoy and dance and worship?” 

Celebration is possible, she said, when we treat each other as significant. 

“Unless we are significant to each other, there is no celebration of togetherness,” she said. “Seeing significance in others crosses barriers. I can forget my pain if I am significant to you.” 

Salomé Haldemann of France suggested Europeans needed to be trained in peacemaking by those in the global church with experience resisting war. “Suddenly our theology and beliefs feel obsolete. A storm took over Europe, and our convictions collapsed.” 

“We affirmed nonviolence when our context was peaceful, but in the face of war we see nonviolent resistance as naïve and unrealistic,” said Salomé Haldemann, a graduate of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Anne Hansen of Germany read her address. 

Citing the tradition of calls to action at MWC Assemblies, she noted that in 1967 in Amsterdam, USA civil rights leader Vincent Harding called on Mennonites to “come alongside Black sisters and brothers in the freedom struggle.” 

In 1984 in Strasbourg, USA writer and professor Ron Sider encouraged starting a nonviolent peace force, which sparked the creation of Community Peacemaker Teams. 

“What does it look like to practice love of the enemy on a collective level in our time and place?” Salomé Haldemann said. 

“Maybe Mennonites could prepare for war resistance with an anti-military service, like a nonviolent resistance boot camp. It might be time for us to create a widespread training for church people to learn and practice the basics of civil resistance.” 

YAB (Young AnaBaptist) Committee member Ebenezer Mondez of the Philippines cited persecution in India and political violence in Myanmar as places where Christians are suffering but getting less attention than Ukraine. 

After praising Mennonites in Ukraine who are helping their neighbours through the hardships caused by Russia’s invasion – and commending those who have sent aid to Ukraine – he said: “I challenge us to do the same for our brothers and sisters in India and Myanmar. Let us learn more about their situation and how we can be the hands and feet of Christ in times of need.” 

“In times of trouble, we are the extension of God’s hand,” Ebenezer Mondez said. “The miracles of God come through us. This is what living together in times of crisis looks like. We forget about our differences and disagreements, and we find our common goal for peace. Truly, crisis and hardship bring out the best in us.” 

Desalegn Abebe, president of the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia – whose 370 000 members make it the world’s largest Anabaptist denomination – invited everyone to the next assembly, in Ethiopia in 2028. 

At the closing worship service on Sunday morning at Holy Stadium, more than 1 000 attended, sitting in every other seat for social distancing. H. Ganjar Pranowo, governor of Central Java, a region of 36 million people, greeted the crowd with references to peacemaking and Anabaptist history. 

He said Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, was seeking to mediate between Russia and Ukraine to stop the war. 

“When there is bloodshed between countries, it is our duty to seek peace between them,” he said. “Whatever the reason for war, it can never be justified.” 

H. Ganjar Pranowo cited a story that many Anabaptists would recognize as the Martyrs Mirror account of 16th-century martyr Dirk Willems. He spoke in Indonesian, with the English translation projected on a screen. 

He said he would not need to tell others to “imitate the Mennonites in practicing and spreading peacefulness” – as Willems did – because the principles of peace and truth are “embedded in every human soul.” 

In the week’s final message, Nindyo Sasongko, an Indonesian GKMI pastor who teaches at Fordham University and lives in New York City, USA, wrapped up the theme of crossing barriers by linking it to the biblical story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who vowed to follow her Israelite mother-in-law wherever she went. 

An even stronger communion 

In her loyalty to Naomi, Ruth showed profound courage, breaking boundaries of nationality and religion, Sasongko said. When we follow Jesus across barriers, he said, we also follow the example of Ruth. 

“Reconciliation cannot be achieved when there is no commitment to cross boundaries,” he said. 

The presidency of MWC passed from J. Nelson Kraybill of the United States to Henk Stenvers of the Netherlands. A medical doctor, Stenvers has served on the MWC Deacons Commission for 10 years.  

At the closing ceremony, Henk Stenvers, the new MWC president, looked toward the future. 

“Now at the end of this great gathering, we look ahead with energy and hope,” he said. “In 2025, we hope to commemorate the birth of Anabaptism in Zurich and, God willing, in six years another assembly in Ethiopia. We all will work hard to make Mennonite World Conference an even stronger communion of faithful followers of Christ.” 

—written by Paul Schrag, editor of Anabaptist World, a USA-based magazine. Reprinted with permission.

World assembly small but full of joy

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*Today, there are three Anabaptist-Mennonite groups in Indonesia:  

• Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ –Evangelical Church in the Land of Java) 
• Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI –Muria Christian Church of Indonesia)  
• Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (JKI –Indonesian Christian Congregation) 

“I invite all people to think about the love that Jesus shared and how we can share that same love in our communities,” says pastor Yeanny Moestikasari Soeryo, director of Balai Karya Berkat, a rehabilitation center for people with special needs in Semarang, Indonesia. By reflecting on this question, the simple yet compelling shalom vision of Luke 7:22 has led Pastor Yeanny to a life of ministry, both in and out of the church.

After nearly 30 years as a pastor, Pastor Yeanny, who entered ministry at 24, began to hear a call from Scripture. As she read about the banquet table in Luke 7:22 and the instructions to walk as Jesus walked in 1 John 2:6, she noticed people with special needs were underrepresented in her church.

Around 2012, the dream to provide vocational training according to the specific needs of the participants was presented to Pastor Yeanny’s church. Members of GKMI Semarang church began to donate – not only money, but also land.

In 2013, after working with community members, word of mouth began to spread, gathering a participant base. Pastor Yeanny created a permanent location for workshops for the members of Balai Karya Berkat to take courses in batik, sewing, massage, motorcycle repair, flower arrangement, hairdressing, make-up, woodworking and online business.

Since its establishment, more than 100 people have been trained through Balai Karya Berkat. They gain professional skills that make an economically sustainable life possible.

While visiting Indonesia in 2017, Liesa Unger, MWC chief international events officer, met Pastor Yeanny and the two began to develop a product Balai Karya Berkat could create for Assembly participants: handmade tote bags in a batik style.

In 2019, Pastor Yeanny presented the first prototype. Assembly staff ordered 10 000 bags. Since then, the participants have been working diligently to finish one of the largest orders in their history, having already finished more than 7 000 bags and hoping to be able to finish the last part of the order by the time Assembly begins in July.

“When Jesus came to the world he loved everyone. We are all created in one image, so we need to treat everyone as children of God,” says Pastor Yeanny. “When people take their MWC bags with them, they will be able to remember who the people were that made the bags, and that they are beloved by God.”

Each on-site Assembly participant will receive a bag. Information is forthcoming on how to order a souvenir bag.

 

“The persecution of Christians in India is intensifying as Hindu extremists aim to cleanse the country of their presence and influence,” reports Open Doors’ World Watch list which ranks India as 10 on the list of 50.

Timo Doetsch, pastor of children and youth at Evangelisch-mennonitische Freikirche Dresden, Germany, interviewed Vikal Pravin Rao, executive secretary of the Mennonite Church in India, Dhamtari, and a member of the MWC Deacons Commission, and Sipra Biswas from Kolkata, general council member from Bharatiya Jukta Christa Prachar Mandali.

Could you describe the situation?

Sipra Biswas: We in Kolkata, do not have direct persecution at present,… but in the villages, in the rural area, persecution is there.

Vikal Rao: I belong to Chhattisgarh, one of the central states of India. In recent times, churches have faced persecution from the Hindu extremists. But persecution is not only in the form of physical harassment or damage to the property. Christians as a minority are mentally persecuted: our voices are not heard…. Even though we have the legal documents for our properties and for our churches, we always are a target.

Sipra Biswas: But mostly, all the states have more or less cases of persecution.

Vikal Rao: We cannot get open meetings like the majorities, we have to get permission. That is also a part of persecution.

Another thing is: It is mandatory in India to register any organization under FCRA (Foreign Currency Regulatory Act)…if you want to receive foreign aid or help. In the recent year (2021), the government of India cancelled the FCRA registration for many Christian and Muslim organizations, for example, MCSFI (Mennonite Christian Service Fellowship of India). Many of our churches are waiting for their FCRA renewal.

This is resulting that churches are not able to do the social work. Through the foreign help we were actually able to serve the community.

Sipra Biswas: Anti-conversion laws is another thing. Dalits were neglected people of the societies, but Christianity helped them to feel like human beings, to feel their importance. Now, in many places, they are forced to join Hinduism.

The first [threat] is money or “If you do this, you have to suffer the consequence.” So, this is a fear people have.

To take baptism there will be legal procedures. You have to go to the court and tell nobody has forced me or given money.

Christians don’t force, [yet] we were accused to tempt people to be Christians.

Officially, India is a secular country with religious freedom. How then can it be, that there are anti-conversion laws?

Vikal Rao: The legislative assembly has the power to amend some of the constitution. But now, they say: You cannot convert. Earlier days, we were able to preach openly the good news of the gospel on the markets. Now if we were doing it, we would be beaten or put into jail.

How do the minorities in India react?

Vikal Rao: Muslims sometimes with violence. Christians most of the time [are] silent. Sikh, Jainists and Buddhists have no problem.

What do you think are practical and spiritual ways for Indian Christians to deal with the situation?

Vikal Rao: Prayer is the thing we believe helps. We pray for those who persecute us. And we would like to share Christ’s love through our living and action…. We are not protesting. We are not getting violent. We are for peace.

What is your prayer request for the global MWC family?

Vikal Rao: That the churches can become the agents of peace and love of Christ. That they can follow the way Jesus teaches us.

Al seguir a Jesús, el cruzar barreras es inevitable. Todos preferimos la seguridad del espacio en el que normalmente vivimos. La vida cotidiana tiene hábitos que reproducimos sin, necesariamente, examinar sus implicacias y  sus significados; de manera que lo que hacemos, y cómo lo hacemos, es para nosotros lo normal y consideramos extrañas otras formas de hacerlos.

En la 17ª Asamblea del Congreso Mundial Menonita, cuyo lema es “Seguir a Jesús juntos, superando las barreras”, quienes participan de esta Asamblea son desafiados a internalizar valores del Reino de Dios, los cuales requieren un espíritu dispuesto al aprendizaje. Las personas quienes participan de las plenarias, de los grupos pequeños, de los talleres y de las conversaciones, escuchan hablar en distintos idiomas, hay cantos en distintos ritmos y sensibilidades, hombres y mujeres llevan vestimentas que muestran la diversidad de países de donde provienen, los intercambios afectivos tienen distintas intensidades, de acuerdo a las pautas culturales prevalecientes en cada región: por ejemplo, los asistentes que provienen de América Latina, muestran su calidez cuando comparten abrazos y sonrisas.

Jesús es el modelo de hacer misión y una característica central de su misión es la encarnación. En sí misma, la encarnación de Jesús el Cristo, es el locus theologicus desde el cual debemos desprender cuáles son las tareas que nos ha encomendado el Señor. La encarnación, está bien marcada en Filipense 2:5-7, significó el dejar una condición para asumir las condiciones de los otros, es decir, entrar conscientemente en otro espacio, trascendiendo barreras. Por lo tanto, es consustancial a la hora de seguir a Jesús, caminar con Él por todas “las ciudades y aldeas” (Mateo 9:35) para de esta manera, acercarnos a distintos tipos de situaciones y personas. Jesús superó infinidad de barreras, nosotros estamos llamados a hacer lo mismo.

La Asamblea del CMM en Indonesia es rica en aprendizajes. Tiene una cara que muestra la diversidad de nuestra familia global, y otra que nos ofrece la oportunidad de mirar y experimentar la vida de las congregaciones locales. En los servicios de las mañanas y las noches uno puede estar rodeado por hermanos y hermanas de todos los continentes, y esto nos hace sentir la realidad de ser una comunidad global. En las visitas a congregaciones locales se puede palpar la vida de hermanos y hermana en la fe que generosamente comparten experiencias de vida, testimonios y los alimentos, que prepararon para recibir a quienes llegaron de distintos países. Ha sido muy aleccionadora la experiencia de ver el panorama global de la familia anabautista mundial y vivir de cerca los latidos del corazón de las congregaciones locales.

Nuestro llamado es seguir las pisadas de Jesús, y como sus discípulos y discípulas tenemos que aprender constantemente a superar barreras que deforman el propósito de Dios que es crear una nueva humanidad. La Asamblea en Indonesia, ha sido una bella oportunidad para alentarnos a continuar caminando juntos, porque la misión cristiana se hace en la compañía de las otras personas. El Espíritu Santo, que es el espíritu de Jesús, y este nos alienta a trascender las barreras y da sensibilidad para aprender y poner en práctica el mensaje que denuncia la opresión de los muros tanto simbólicos como los físicos.

—Carlos Martínez-García