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GYS 2015 highlight video -
“Investing in young adults is a key way to move forward. Mennonite World Conference is the best way I can imagine to do that,” said Doug Klassen, executive minister of Mennonite Church Canada and the North America representative on MWC’s Executive Committee.
The member church of Mennonite World Conference puts its money where its mouth is. The church is organized into five regions – each of which sends a delegate to the Global Youth Summit. Together, leaders select one to serve as the official representative.
The practice started with the 2022 Global Youth Summit (GYS) in Indonesia. Church restructuring in 2017 had placed leadership development at the regional level, so it was natural for each region to select a young adult to serve as a delegate.
The national church gives each region $1 000 toward the cost of their delegate. It’s up to the region how to raise the rest.
The investment is paid back: the multi-delegate system showed its strength both coming and going.
GYS delegates have an assignment to survey young people in their country and write a report on the results.
They ask their peers about engagement with church (why are some young people choosing to invest time and energy in the work of the church? why do some young people leave?); about leadership (what are the barriers?); and about sensitive topics (which issues are difficult? How are conflicting ideas managed in the church?).
With a delegate for each region collecting answers according to their various strengths, MC Canada’s GYS report was more representative of the country’s diversity.
After participating in GYS, the five delegates reported insights into the church’s challenges neither Doug Klassen nor other leaders had named yet.
They brought back energy to engage their local church.
“Sometimes, all it takes is a captivating event or experience to bump a trajectory by one notch for a young adult to see ‘maybe there is room for the church’,” said Doug Klassen.
Doug Klassen wishes for as many young people as possible to encounter the deep faith found in the global church and broaden their understanding “beyond familiar Eurocentric stories.”
“To expose young adults to the global church is one of my highest priorities in this role,” he said.
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Global gathering of young people for quincentenary
Global Youth Summit (GYS): a time for worshipping together, reflecting on faith across cultures, learning about the local culture, and growing understanding through relevant workshops – and love. The local GYS planning committee meets for the first time in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, 31 May to 1 June 2024 to lay down the foundation of the 2025 event: “Empowered by love” (1 John 4:11).
Young adults aged 18-30 are the target audience, but youth groups accompanied by a supervising adult may also register to participate.
Traditionally, GYS – the international gathering of Young AnaBaptists (YABs) – has taken place every six years alongside the Mennonite World Conference global Assembly.
But in 2024, the Executive Committee approved a proposal from the YABs Committee to increase the frequency to every three years, coinciding with General Council meetings.
This means the next GYS will happen in Germany from 30 May to 1 June 2025.
“GYS 2025 is a special event! This will be a perfect opportunity for young people to immerse themselves to our heritage and the origins of the Anabaptist movement while also having fun and making connections with young people from all over the world,” says Ebenezer Mondez, YABs mentor.
Young adults who attend this event will also have opportunity to join the Zurich event (29 May 2025) which will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism.
(from left to right) Noa Fechner, Leonard Hangen, Rianna Isaak Krauß, Liesa Unger, Christopher Damm, Nezer Mondez “Changing the frequency of GYS to every three years gives more young adults a chance to participate and facilitates selection of new YABs Committee members at the half-way point,” says Elina Ciptadi, interim chief communications officer. She was the Asia representative on the original YABs Committee, then called AMIGOS.
Young adults are in a time of many transitions. Almost each iteration of the YABs Committee has had one member move on before completing the full six-year terms.
“A lot of change can happen in six years. They may start their term as a university student but end their term as a working adult, spouse and parent,” says Elina Ciptadi.
The GYS planning group invites volunteers from MWC-related conferences across Europe to be part of the team who will make this event possible. More information about the GYS will be released in September 2024.
Click here to sign up for updates about YABs activities and the GYS.
Click here to volunteer or learn more about Zurich 2025.
GYS planning committee, pictured above (from left to right):
- Noa Fechner (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Gemeinden in Deutschland – AMG; GYS delegate, Indonesia 2022),
- Leonard Hangen (AMG; GYS participant, Asuncion 2009, PA 2015);
- Rianna Isaak-Krauß (AMG; CCMBC GYS delegate, PA 2015; workshop coordinator, Indonesia 2022), Liesa Unger (MWC chief international events officer),
- Christopher Damm (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Brüdergemeinden in Deutschland – AMBD);
- Ebenezer Mondez (GYS delegate, PA 2015; YABs Committee 2015-2022; MWC YABs mentor).
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A YAMENer’s reflection from Colombia
Peace doesn’t look the same in every context. That’s a lesson that Hector “Ramon” Calix Dueñas says he’s learning during his YAMEN (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network) year in Colombia.
“Ramon” Calix Dueñas is 27 and from Saba, Honduras, where his parents are pastors of Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Hondureña, the church he grew up in. He says service has always been an essential element of his expression of Christianity.
Recently, he wanted to match his desire to serve with travel and cultural discovery. When a friend completed a year with YAMEN and encouraged him to consider the program, he knew he found the match and applied for the program.
YAMEN is a yearlong service opportunity for young Christian adults outside Canada and the USA. Participants experience living in a different culture while serving alongside local Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) partners in schools, farms, community agencies and day cares, gaining hands-on experience. The program is jointly operated by MCC and Mennonite World Conference.
“Ramon” Calix Dueñas has completed eight months of the program, working with two church ministries in Cali, Colombia. One of these ministries, Cruising for Jesus, operates in one of Cali’s roughest neighborhoods, where talking about peace collides with the reality of everyday violence for most attendants.
“The kids who are coming to these meetings are coming from a very vulnerable place, really harsh and difficult situations,” says “Ramon” Calix Dueñas. “We have a big focus on conflict resolution, not only with the kids, but for the community in general. The neighborhood we’re in, fights can take place at any time of day. We talk a lot about forgiveness and the process of healing your heart.”
YAMENer Hector “Ramon” Calix Dueñas speaking to young adults of the Jesus Christ Light and Life Mission Church of Cali, Colombia, in their camp in La Cumbre, Colombia, on seeing Jesus as the anchor of our lives. (Photo courtesy of Hector “Ramon” Calix Dueñas) Cruising for Jesus offers two weekly events that “Ramon” Calix Dueñas helps run: a Wednesday evening service designed for those who haven’t had a lot of exposure to the Bible or Christian teachings and a Saturday afternoon meeting catered to teens and young adults. While Dueñas has been working on transforming communities, he’s also felt like he’s been transformed himself.
“One of the most important things I’ve learned through my year is being able to see Jesus from a different perspective,” he says. “It’s beyond what you can learn about Jesus during a church service; it’s how you see him outside of it. It’s understanding what Jesus preached about while you are teaching kids math or Spanish, or just seeing Jesus through different eyes. I love seeing him through those small things.”
“Ramon” Calix Dueñas says these new perspectives have helped him realize that understanding context is critical for building a lasting peace.
“When you’re carrying peace in a very difficult environment or to a very vulnerable population, you have to understand what you’re bringing with you, in Jesus’ name,” says “Ramon” Calix Dueñas.
With the end of his term not far off on the horizon, “Ramon” Calix Dueñas says he’s not sure what his plan is when he returns home, but there is one thing he already feels excited about.
“Part of me wants to stay longer, but I also can’t wait to go back and share what I’ve learned and seen with my community. There’s just another thing that the church needs to understand – this is our responsibility, to take care of people. That we need to look after the people who need support and figure out how we can just walk with these people and teach more the way Jesus tried to teach us.”
For more information about YAMEN or to sign up, visit MCC’s website.
—A Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee joint release by Jason Dueck, Communications Specialist.
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The first story below is from one of our brothers in Argentina. He chose to be anonymous because the story involves sensitive topics. We share this beautiful story because it shows how God put together people with different colours and background, creating a colourful mosaic of people. Similarly, Elisante’s story is about God drawing people together to find harmony with each other despite different beliefs and practices – right in his hometown in Tanzania.
Worthy of being rescued
A story from Argentina
A boy came to live with me from a nearby city where he was known as the worst of the worst. His family (who were police officers) treated him very badly because he was known as a thief, took drugs and to get the drugs he was sent to do anything.
He had a very bad reputation in that place.
At one point in his life, he had a car crash and overdose, which led to him being admitted to a rehabilitation center. After fulfilling his time there, he came to live with me – an intermediate point between the centre and the beginning of his complete reintegration into society.
One of the things that impacted him the most of his time here is how his image changed, that God was able to act in his mind and heart – that he was worthy of being rescued.
He was able to forge a new identity. While living with us, he was surprised that people trusted him, and gave him opportunities. He was even known as part of our family here.
One night, he started crying because he couldn’t understand how after being the “garbage of his town”, he could find a totally different life in the Lord. That filled him with joy.
By one of our brothers in Argentina.
We share a lot of things
A story from Tanzania
I come from a country that is almost half Christian and half Muslim. Some Christian churches have suffered attacks, especially in Zanzibar, an island off Tanzania’s coast. In Zanzibar, the population is 90% Muslim. That area tends to be more violent against Christians, more challenging. And sometimes there is violence even in northern part, in Mwanza.
In these instances, someone who goes to church is killed or the church and everything in it is burned by unknown people. But we usually know that is a group of people with different religious beliefs.
Talking about peace or about Jesus with Muslim people in my country can be challenging.
Sometimes they’re kind of aggressive when you tell them something that is different from what they believe. This has happened to me in face-to-face conversations and also on social media.
I used to be active in Facebook groups for Muslims and Christians to discuss faith and beliefs. When the Muslims there would use violent words, sometimes the Christians became defensive. And I saw that some Christians could also be violent, using the same kind of language. So the arguments would just escalate.
But I soon realized that nonviolent words would cool down the situation.
Whenever the other side would use violent and aggressive language, I would use very polite words. Many times I would say, “I really love what you said and I understand what you say. And I really love you.” I would say this even though they were very angry towards the Christians.
If we love the people who don’t believe as we believe, it will show love. If we demonstrate actions of peace and love, they will want to know what we believe.
I do not blame the Islamic religion, because we have many, many Islamic friends that are very helpful to us. We work together, we eat together. We can eat from the same plate or drink from the same cup. We share a lot of things.
But we do have a lot of differences. Even among Christians this is true.
So whenever we have misunderstandings, we must come and sit and talk together. We may have differences, but our differences become less and less as we talk.
Elisante Daniel Lulu is a Mennonite from Tanzania. He recorded this testimony as part of the Bearing Witness Stories Project during the 2015 Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Watch the video here.
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Latin America
Colombia
- Young people are concerned with mental health and access to work. They face hopelessness regarding the life conditions. Pray for economic resources and opportunities to support and accompany young women to serve in the church where discrimination may limit their possibilities.
Asia
Indonesia
- Pray for the efforts of building a cross-synod Mennonite youth network to prevent sexual violence in the MWC member churches (JKI, GKMI, GITJ) and develop youth groups based on gender equality issues.
Africa
Ghana
- We want YABs across the global family to join us to say thank you to God for his grace and mercy on the continent within this past year. We also want to ask that the Lord continue to protect us from famine, drought and conflict. We ask for God’s steadfast love to continue to shine on us.
Europe
Germany
- For Germany, please pray that young people grow in their faith and bring new life to the churches. For Europe, ongoing problems with migration and Asylum politics, pray for politicians to make wise decisions and help refugees to find a safe home.
North America
USA
- Pray for the young people of the churches that they may continue to have interest in leadership. Pray for the upcoming elections (November 2024) and the role of the United States regarding the peace of the world.
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Prepared by the YABs Committee for 16-23 June 2024
Theme:
Mosaic: We are God’s handiwork
Why this theme was chosen:
This theme highlights our part in God’s greater purpose. Like pieces of tile, alone, we cannot see our value. Sometimes, we may think we are insignificant, but when God puts us together with the right people and places, we fit: we find our purpose and realize our value.
Biblical text:
Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith Ð and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ð not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)Genesis 1:27
So God created humans in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (NRSV)Additional resources in this package
- Storytelling
- Prayer
- Discussion questions
- Song suggestions
- Greeting videos
Share
- Take pictures and share on Facebook and Instagram! #YABs #mwcmm
- Send pictures or testimonies through Messenger or email to yabs@mwc-cmm.org.
- Help us prepare for future fellowship weeks and YABs projects by sending your suggestions to yabs@mwc-cmm.org or commenting on our Discord server (https://discord.gg/RzJghptWnS).
During this week, youth and young adult groups from all over the world can encourage each other and celebrate as one young adult Anabaptist community.
How can you participate?
Here are some suggestions!
Use and adapt the materials …
(Scripture, songs, discussion questions, prayer requests, testimonies, media, etc.) for use in your youth/young adult group that week. Watch for these materials on Facebook and our website.
Organize a YABs Fellowship Week event…
with other youth/young adult groups! Use the opportunity to enjoy fellowship with other Anabaptist communities. It doesn’t have to be complicated; just get together to worship, play, discuss, and pray Рin person or online.
Join the discussion…
in a private Facebook group or on Discord and meet other YABs from around the world. Share conversations on your different perspectives.
Share your story globally!
We want to share your testimony on the impact of participating in the Global Youth Summit, a story of how God is working in your local context, a meaningful worship song or a prayer or prayer request. Please send your song, prayer or story via social media messenger, Discord or email no later than end of July.
Send us feedback…
on YABs Fellowship Week after the event and submit input on future YABs projects.
Follow us…
on Facebook and Instagram to stay engaged via social media! #YABs #mwcmm #yabsprayer
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Please check your congregation’s copyright protocols before using these songs in public gathering.
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Assuming the role of the YABs Representative for Africa is not just a title; it is an immersive experience into a world of diverse perspectives. Collaborating with fellow representatives is a profound learning journey, encompassing cultural understanding, decision-making skills and the cultivation of shared values. The experience reaffirms that unity is not merely a theme but a living reality that transcends geographical boundaries.
I joined the vibrant youth of Kanisa La Mennonite Tanzania in their annual youth conference themed “U Chombo Cha Thamani” (meaning, “You are the vessel of honour”) from 11-19 December 2023. It was a rollercoaster of laughter, vibrant mosaic of culture, spiritual enlightenment and, of course, music and dance from the numerous choirs!
Engaging with the dynamic youth of Kanisa La Mennonite Tanzania was an exhilarating exploration into a kaleidoscope of traditions, like the interconnected branches of the baobab tree. The mighty Adansonia digitate (baobab) tree (found on the compound of the Dar Es Salaam Police Academy, where the event was partly held) is a silent maestro of unity, whispering lessons in every rustle of its leaves.
The conference served as a fountain of spiritual wisdom. Speakers delivered messages that resonated deeply: the path to achieving dreams requires repairing our relationship with God, walking in repentance, embracing humility and fostering unwavering faith.
The choirs (Calvary, Tamekwa, Muungano, New Jerusalem, Talanta, Kunyatanyata, Upendo, Bungangi, Neema, Salvation, Revival, Goshen and Paradiso) infused the conference with energy and enthusiasm. I marvelled at the dizzying head rotations and spirited dance moves, realizing that in unity even seemingly chaotic dances can create a beautiful harmony. The energy of the choristers reflected the passion and commitment of the youth toward a shared purpose.
I was given the opportunity to present on Mennonite World Conference and the YABs community, illuminating the global family of the Mennonite community. The report underscored the importance of unity, peace, cross-cultural exchange and the collective efforts of the YABs in achieving the goals of Mennonite World Conference.
Despite the language barrier, the laughter that echoed through the conference hall became a testament to the shared joy that transcends language, connecting hearts.
Gborbitey Isaac Nii Torgbor, YABs representative for Africa, presents on the YABs community worldwide and the work of Mennonite World Conference. Alice Nyakisara translates from English to Swahili. A highlight of the journey was the reunion with Mr. Jonathan Pharleys, a companion from the Global Youth Summit 2022 in Indonesia. Together with the youth president, Mr. Masanja Amos, we navigated the beauty of Tanzania, unveiling its landscapes, traditions and the warm spirit of its people.
A special connection was forged with a youth member Mr. Mushagalusa Mastaki Kendri from Communauté des Églises des Frères Mennonites au Congo (MB church in DR Congo), knitting the global Mennonite family even closer.
As the baobab stood witness to the vibrant mosaic of unity, I departed with a heart enriched by memories, a mind enlightened by lessons and a spirit ignited by the collective energy of the Mennonite youth.
The journey exemplified that beneath the branches of unity, laughter and shared purpose, the Mennonite community thrives, echoing the timeless message of “U Chombo Cha Thamani.”
—Gborbitey Isaac Nii Torgbor, is the YABs Committee (Young AnaBaptists) representative for Africa. He is a member of Ghana Mennonite Church.
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Before Esther Aguilar began her Bolivian adventure, she asked God for one thing: to teach her in a deeper sense the commandment where Jesus says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. (…) A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22 37-39).”
Although she had grown up hearing this commonly used verse, Esther Aguilar was ready to be challenged to understand what it meant to love others from a different culture and to meet Jesus in a new part of the world.
Through YAMEN (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network), a joint service program through Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite World Conference, God placed her in Samuelito, a daycare for children in Bolivia.
Before working at Samuelito, Esther Aguilar had never worked with children before. She recalls those first days as an education and healthcare assistant, trying to navigate children’s screams coming from multiple directions and learning how to change a diaper for the first time. “I remember the first time putting it on backwards!” But instead of shutting down, she remembered the verse she was asking to be transformed by. She thought, “How should I react better in this moment and what can I do about it?”
Although Esther Aguilar came from Honduras, another Spanish speaking-country, she still found that adapting her language was key in relating and caring for vulnerable children.
“We’re all Latinos-as and share cultural things at a minimum level,” she says. “But I’ve had to adapt my language even here. I’ve had to adapt my way of speaking to children of different ages. Like different ways to call their attention or to correct their speech. Understanding and communicating with each child differently is a way of empathizing with them.”
During her time with YAMEN (August 2022 to July 2023), Esther Aguilar learned to love each child as an individual. It was a test of patience, but she strove to create a safe space where they could freely express their range of emotions within a day.
Esther Aguilar plays with children at Samuelito, a daycare run through Mennonite churches in Bolivia and supported by Mennonite Central Committee through the YAMEN program. Another way she practiced ‘loving thy neighbour’ was by becoming part of the fabric of a new Mennonite church community, Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Boliviana – Sinai.
At first, she was afraid to get involved with a new church. She remembers feeling out of her comfort zone and vulnerable to attend church camps by herself for the first time. But looking back, she feels joy about this part of her experience because it’s taught her that the kingdom of God reaches far past her home church, Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Santa Rosa de Copan, in Honduras.
Esther Aguilar’s new workplace, home and church community were avenues of deeper cultural connection and a place to practice living out the day-to-day messiness of loving her new neighbours, children’s screams and all.
“When I began to embrace this culture, I started to feel a bit more ownership and began to understand what it’s like in other people’s shoes in the context of Bolivia,” she says.
“I have learned to love the Lord in another church, in a different home and have learned to love myself.”
—A Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee joint release by Rachel Watson, communications and program support facilitator for Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia.
The Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network (YAMEN) program is a joint program between Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee. It places emphasis on expanding the fellowship between churches in the Anabaptist tradition and developing young leaders around the globe. Participants spend one year in a cross-cultural assignment starting in August and ending the following July.
YAMEN 2023-2024 participants
Name Country of origin Country of placement Home church
*indicates MWC member churchAnita Ekka India Nigeria Gilgal Mennonite Church – Hadmor* Arni Paidjo Indonesia Bolivia Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia / GKMI Salatiga* Brian Adeti Ghana Cambodia Mennonite Church of Ghana* Dinna Ngungi Tanzania Cambodia Mennonite Church – Mwanza* Eldrhat Mugisa Uganda Burundi St. Paul’s Cathedral Church – South Rwenzori Diocese Emmaculate Pulei Kenya Cambodia The Holy Revival Harvest Church Hector Calix Dueñas Honduras Colombia Iglesia Evangelica Menonita* Holi Deo Bangladesh Kenya St. Stephen’s Church, Boruajani Jesús Cobilla Otero Colombia Honduras Iglesia Cristiana Encuentro de Renovacion Pan de Vida – Comunidad Menonita* Karen Saenger Echeverria Paraguay Kenya Shalom Christian Church* Kim Pam Nigeria Rwanda Church of Christ in Nations LCC Kunthea Thith Cambodia Bolivia Lighthouse Christian Assembly Leslie Meja Kenya Bangladesh Presbyterian Church of East Africa Kimuka Church Luyando Munangobe Zambia India Ndola Main Brethren in Christ Church* Martinho Muchanga Mozambique Chad Mozambique Christian United Church Mary Matute Castro Honduras Ireland Iglesia Menonita Manantial de Vida* Mathias Wiebe Paraguay Bolivia Iglesia Hermanos Menonita Neuland* Michel Moreno Avila Bolivia Guatemala Principe de Paz Evangelical Mennonite Church* Nelson Wani South Sudan Cambodia Christ Embassy Mia Sabah – Juba Pintu Majhi India Uganda Brethren in Christ Church – Judabali* Pola Halder Bangladesh Chad Christ the King Church Prantosh Boidya Bangladesh India Saint Joseph Church Shady Palencia Olivares Colombia Honduras Menonite Church Celebra* Tabita Cazatinova Indonesia Nigeria GITJ Tompomulyo* -
Young AnaBaptists build global connection during YABs Fellowship Week
Between 18-25 June 2023, young adult groups around the world celebrated the Young AnaBaptist (YABs) Fellowship Week. Themed The family I found in my salvation, young people shared stories, worshipped together, prayed as one, learned from each other’s testimonies, and discussed Luke 15:4-7.
A new way to meet this year was the launch of the YABs’ Discord group, with four virtual hangouts during YABs Fellowship Week, attended by 65 people from 11 countries.
“As more young people use this platform to play games, chat, listen to voice notes/webinars and hold virtual meetings, we want to have as many young Anabaptists as possible connect to each other through this platform,” says Ebenezer Mondez, YABs mentor.
In two of the four virtual hangouts, the current YABs Committee invited two of the original YABs Committee (then called AMIGOS): Sarah Nahar (nee Thompson) is now a nonviolent action trainer and interspiritual theologian; Elina Ciptadi is now MWC Interim Chief Communications Officer and a family counselling student.
“Coming to the Global Youth Summit / Assembly was lifechanging,” says Elina Ciptadi. “It opened doors to a leader of a small young adult group like me to work on bigger causes at a national level, and then at a global level through MWC. It was uplifting to know that I have friends around the world we could share our struggles and triumphs with, that we could pray for and learn from each other.”
The YABs will continue to use Discord as they build on connections made during the 2022 Global Youth Summit in Indonesia.
“I encourage everyone to cultivate the global connections you started in Assembly, see how God can work wonders through these relationships,” says Elina Ciptadi.
It’s not too late! Anyone still wanting to use the YABs Fellowship Week materials for their church can download them here. Youth and young adults wanting to join the online community can sign up on Discord.
About the Young AnaBaptist (YABs) Committee
This committee represents young people before the MWC General Council and works with the MWC Executive Committee. The YABs Committee is made up of a representative from each continent and a mentor.
