“If you come to the next Assembly, you can also have a shirt like mine!” said Kelbessa Demana, General Council delegate for Meserete Kristos Church (MKC). Dressed in a traditional, crisp white shirt with intricate embroidery, he was part of a delegation that invited the General Council to the upcoming Assembly 18 in Ethiopia.
Held in Ethiopia 11-15 January 2028, the global Assembly will have the theme “Christ unites us.”
The National Advisory Council (NAC) for Assembly 18 was appointed in 2024. They meet by Zoom every two or three months to continue planning the event which will bring Anabaptists from around the world to worship and fellowship together.
“January was chosen due to the climate and holidays,” says Liesa Unger. “The Assembly will be between Ethiopian Christmas and Epiphany celebrations.”
The five days of Assembly are animated with daily worship services, workshops, local tourism and service and learning opportunities. There are activities for all ages, including special programming for children and youth.
Multilingual worship from an international choir is always a highlight.
The Global Youth Summit will take place concurrent with the Assembly. Participants will take part in Assembly programming with select options for GYS only.
The General Council* and YABs Delegate* meetings will precede the Assembly.
“A special focus will be laid on Assembly Scattered, which will be offered to all from 15-17/18 January,” says Liesa Unger. Post-event tours within the region extend the opportunity to visit MKC congregations in Ethiopia and more fully experience the region.
The location in East Africa offers a greater opportunity for Mennonites from neighbouring countries to attend Assembly.
“Although we recognize there are grave concerns around the environmental costs of travel, the tremendous gifts of fellowship at this once-every-six years event must also be held in balance,” says César García, MWC general secretary.
“We hope you start to make holistic plans to participate in this Assembly!” says César García.
*Every MWC member church will be asked to send a YABs Delegate to represent their church, their country and their culture to the MWC General Council and attend the Global Youth Summit. A YABs delegate is expected to serve the YABs network for the next three years.
*MWC’s member churches and conferences each send one to three delegates (based on the population of the church or conference) to General Council meetings. This group of church leaders meets every three years to shape the mandate of MWC, share concerns and insights, and worship together.