Prayers of gratitude and intercession

“MWC was a school for me. It really helped me to know Anabaptist doctrine and understand how the church operates,” says Francisca Ibanda. 

Known around the world as “Maman Cisca”, Francisa Ibanda, along with Barbara Nkala, recently completed her service as regional representative for MWC. Prior to serving as regional representative for Central and Western Africa (2015-2022), she served as one of two Africa representatives on the Executive Committee (2009-2015). 

“During my service at MWC as regional representative, I discovered my gifts and learned much about humility, communication and love of neighbour; in short, Christian values. I am proud to have served on the global level,” says Francisca Ibanda. 

“Regional representatives are our eyes and ears,” says Arli Klassen. These volunteer servants are ambassadors for Mennonite World Conference in their region. They represent the work of MWC (through commissions, networks, the executive committee and production of worship resources and stories) to the MWC member churches in their region. And they share the concerns, questions, needs and celebrations of the MWC member churches with the rest of the global Anabaptist body.  

“This task of serving MWC taught me many things, such as the development of my Christian faith, the improvement of my personal relationship with God and the love of the church,” says Francisca Ibanda. “It was also an opportunity to improve my English and open myself up to the world.” 

Regional representatives also offer an invitation: when a national church is interested in joining MWC, the regional representative visits the church leaders. They introduce the applicant national church to MWC leadership and explain MWC to the applicant church.  

“I would like people to know that my global Mennonite family is a structure that is rich in values and opportunities that each member brings to the table.” 

“My experience at MWC helped me to understand that the global church is built on important values such as fellowship and it is in diversity that it forms the body of Christ.” 

“In the next five years, MWC must become well known by its members so that they can better understand it and engage in the accomplishment of its vision,” says Francisca Ibanda.  

“My prayer is that MWC will continue to assist its members to better understand its vision in order to truly experience fellowship at the local, regional and international level. My most fervent wish is that MWC will develop its communication with the churches of the Southern Hemisphere (Latin America, Africa and Asia).” 

Francisca Ibanda will continue to serve her local church and to mentor women. She is now working to start an NGO to assist orphans and people with disabilities.  

“We are so thankful for the work of these brothers and sisters who form essential connections among Anabaptist-Mennonite churches around the world,” says Arli Klassen. “We bid a fond farewell to Cisca and Barbara, and extend a warm welcome to Siaka Traoré and Danisa Ndlovu who are now filling these roles.”  

Click here to read reflections from Barbara Nkala.

9 September 1939 – 30 September 2022 

Mesach Krisetya, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) president 1997-2003, died 30 September 2022. He was born in Jepara, Indonesia, 9 September 1939. A theologian, professor and academic administrator, author and counsellor, Mesach Krisetya was beloved as a mentor and teacher.  

Upon his conversion to Christianity, he created a new name for himself to mean “fire-proof man, loyal to Christ”: “Mesach”, from one of the Hebrew men who were not consumed by fire in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace, and “Krisetya” meaning follower of Christ.  

During his term as MWC president, MWC entered into ecumenical dialogue on the global level with both the Catholic Church (Vatican) and the Lutheran World Federation. In 2002, with the invitation of Pope John Paul II, he participated on behalf of MWC in the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World. 

As president of MWC, Mesach Krisetya emphasized church-to-church relationships, insisting “MWC needs to belong to the people” not just to the leaders directly involved.  

His 1993 address “From Dependence to Interdependence in the Global Church,” delivered to the General Council in Zimbabwe influenced the development of MWC’s identity as a koinonia. He said that he envisioned MWC as a place “where Mennonites form a working relationship in respond [sic] to the need of ‘interconnectedness’ between Mennonites and the world…; glue for church-to-church or conference-to-conference relations….; a centre where every members of the body feel accepted and needed [sic], so they form a new kind of relationship of interdependency in a global sense.”  

Mesach Krisetya studied theology in Semarang. He received a master of divinity (MDiv) from Goshen Biblical Seminary (USA); a master of theology (MTh) from the Christian Counselling Centre in Vellore, India; clinical pastoral education from Prairie View, Newton, Kansas, USA and United Theological College, Bangalore, India; and a doctor of ministry (DMin) Claremont School of Theology (USA).  

Mesach Krisetya taught and served in administration at several universities in Indonesia, pioneering in the field of pastoral counselling. He wrote books on pastoral counselling and published articles on inter-religious relations in Indonesia, pastoral care, Christian mission and the mission of the church.  

In Indonesia, he served MWC national member church GKMI* as chair from 1996-1999. He was involved in the creation of PIPKA, the GKMI mission board. He was also a supporter of the youth revival movement that developed into today’s JKI.*  

During Assembly 17 in Indonesia, he was not able to participate in the gathering for health reasons, but welcomed small groups into his home for the encouraging conversations he was known for.  

“This situation has taken from us, for a while, the possibility to continue sharing with Mesach,” says César García, MWC general secretary. “The global ministry he developed leaves us with a deep sense of gratitude for the gifts God gave us through his life. The Officers, the Executive Committee, and all the Mennonite World Conference staff join the GKMI family in mourning his death.” 

He is mourned by his wife Miriam, two adult children and their spouses, and five grandchildren. Funeral proceedings took place 30 September – 2 October 2022.  

Responses from other MWC leaders: 

Mesach Krisetya was a humble leader. As a person who was born in the gospel and the church, he was very concerned about the church and people. We’re very proud of him for his achievements as professor of pastoral counselling. Beside of all of his achievements, he was still a faithful member of his local GKMI congregation in Salatiga. He and his wife always arrived at the church service early and greeted all the members with full hospitality. 
—Agus Mayanto, GKMI* president and MWC regional representative for Southeast Asia 

The relationship with Mesach was one of the most precious gifts I received during my 22 years with MWC. He became a big brother to me after the death of my biological brother, and was a source of inspiration to “keep the faith” to the end as I watched him incarnate the meaning of his name.  
—Larry Miller, former MWC general secretary (1990-2011) 

Each MWC president builds on the legacy of those who have served before. Mesach was a giant: a tall man who lived out Anabaptist values of humility and grace. His vision for MWC is what we are still building on. We remember him with gratitude and love.  
—Henk Stenvers, MWC president (2022-2028) 

Mesach Krisetya was a very humble man, an unassuming man of God, serious in his commitment to the global church. At the same time underneath his deep spiritual veil, Mesach had some sense of humour. The Anabaptist Mennonite family has lost a loving, gracious, fatherly, humble, and God-fearing leader.  
—Danisa Ndlovu, MWC regional representative for Southern Africa and MWC president (2009-2015) 

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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) 

Introducing the global family: 

Iglesia Misionera Anabautista – Bolivia 

ICOMB emerging conference & MWC national member church 

These first months of the year 2022, have been times of much growth for the church. In the month of September, the church celebrated 14 years of service, and we can safely say that we have seen the hand of God in this time since the birth of the church. 

We had the opportunity to send a representative to the ICOMB Summit in Curitiba, Brazil. In this event, we shared that we have the challenge of planting new churches until the end of the year. Today we can say that this goal has been achieved since we were able to establish new preaching points of the gospel during the last few months. 

We ask for your prayers dear brothers, that God may allow us to continue growing in the ministry in which we are currently working, that God may always provide what is necessary in terms of economic needs and also that in this month of October 2022, the Lord may give us strength for the evangelism activities that we have prepared. 

—Kevin Gonzales, ICOMB Update 

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The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 22 national churches in 19 countries. ICOMB also has associate members in more than 20 countries, all at different points along the pathway to full membership. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding.

It was with great anticipation that I went to attend a Brethren In Christ Church (BICC) conference in Mozambique, in July 2016. This was my first trip as a regional representative for Mennonite World Conference. It was held in a small town called Milange, in the northern part of Mozambique bordering Malawi. 

Unfortunately, I did not know any of the languages of Mozambique, official or local. I tried to communicate with sign language till the people understood what I was asking for: to be shown where the meeting place was.  

A man with a motorbike beckoned that I sit behind him. I had never ridden on a motorbike. I went astride but did not know where to place my feet or my hands. So, I held onto this man’s back for dear life. Thank God it was dark; no one could witness the spectacle.  

As this man rode deeper into the dark, panic set in. Would I get to the meeting place? A hundred and one unpalatable thoughts flashed through my mind.  

All of a sudden, he stopped. There were two vehicles in darkness and people milling about.  

While I was in a turmoil, I was greeted by Rev Laston Bissani, a missionary in Mozambique from Malawi. I had met him once in Zimbabwe. I was led to sit down on a chair, where there was a missionary from Zimbabwe with his wife. Sweet relief. 

The conference was held in a makeshift place, open ground, with grass thatch bordering one side. Women sat on the ground on pieces of material. It was a chilly evening, but many women and children did not have warm clothing. 

As the whole situation dawned on me, I was so humbled. This is what it took for some people to seek their living God in abject poverty.  

Yet, did the men, women and children sing: with vim and gusto!  

I was a changed person by the end of that worship service. I came out of that conference with more appreciation of differences in place and style of worship. We are all God’s children, born and bred in different environments. 

When you have not belonged to a bigger, international institution, your perspective of other denominations is stunted. You are bound in your small viewpoint with all sorts of negative perspectives of others. I see how perpetuating misunderstandings among Christian believers is a trick of the devil who thrives on dividing.  

MWC has made me mature concerning different faith practices. The efforts to bridge the global church differences have touched me greatly. Indeed, unity in diversity is possible if we all try. 

From MWC, I have learned how enriching it is to hear shared experiences. I greatly appreciate the concept of consensus when there is need to agree on a resolution. This shows respect to the people who have dissenting views, and they rest knowing their view is appreciative. That is love in action. It is the Jesus way. 

The Assembly in Indonesia made me see that it is possible to adapt to the situation and adopt new ways. It is possible to meet internationally on a virtual platform and make decisions. Important meetings do not have to wait for person-to-person physical meetings. 

As I look to the next five years, I see more connectedness of the Christian church, more appreciation of differing viewpoints, and more understanding toward one another. I see MWC continuing to engage denominations. I see a time when the global church will decide to hold a big celebration together, in unity of the spirit.  

My prayer: 

• That MWC may continue to be a meaningful voice for social justice world over. 
• That MWC may not waver in its quest to engage with denominations for better understanding and good relationships. 
• That God will continue to provide adequate funding for all the activities planned. 

—Barbara Nkala was MWC regional representative for Southern Africa (2016-2022). A teacher and speaker, she is currently on the General Conference Board for BICC Zimbabwe. She is the founder of a literary trust to grow, develop and preserve the Ndebele language for the next generation. She also compiles and writes articles, stories and devotions in the Ndebele language.  

Click here to read reflections from Francisca Ibanda

 

In the drought-prone Borena region of Ethiopia, believers saved water to hold a baptism for 120 new believers. The area in Southern Ethiopia currently has a severe water shortage.  

Believers excavated land and lined it with plastic to preserve rainwater. They used traditional methods to prevent evaporation. Finally, in yellow 20L containers, they brought water for immersion baptism from 10 kilometres away.  

Abebe Seyoum, lead pastor of Misrak Addis Ababa Meserte Kristos Church (MKC), presided over the baptism in August.  

Misrak Addis Ababa was one of the four MKC local churches established in Addis Ababa after the Derg government fell in 1991. At present, the congregation supports 30 missionaries who are spreading the gospel and planting churches in remote rural areas.  

More than 70 Bible study groups at Misrak MKC in the church give money every month. Some Bible study groups support one missionary each, but other Bible study groups support one missionary in common. 

After five years of MKC mission work, there are five local churches and more than 40 new church planting centres in Borena.  

“The harvest is plenty, and we need to send more missionaries to evangelize the people and plant more churches in the area,” says Abayneh Anjulo, director of MKC Evangelism and Church Planting Department.  

Many of the new believers pack into small houses to meet for worship. Abayneh Anjulo, Director of MKC Evangelism and Church Planting Department, highlights the need to construct church buildings for gathering  

“The decision of Misrack MKC to send a missionary or go faraway to share the gospel of the kingdom created an encouragement not only the people in the region but also to other MKC leaders,” says Desalegn Abebe, president, MKC.   

—adapted from MKC News 

Introducing the global family 

Iglesia Evangélica Unida- Hermanos Menonitas de Panamá (IEU) 

ICOMB and MWC member conference 

IEU has 16 local churches. Serving the churches, due to the distance between them, is a bit difficult for the conference. For this reason, the conference in Panama works by region. They have five regions and each region has one or two coordinators. Their purpose is to monitor the work assigned by the Assembly. The focus is to disciple the membership, and the leaders and coordinate the work among the churches of the region. 

Ministries 
In addition to the ministries that each local church carries out, there are three general ministries to meet the specific needs of each group. 

Women 
We have been able to meet with all the women and have held workshops on specific topics, such as intimacy with God and other related topics. Now, each leader reproduces these workshops in her local church.  

The sisters share impressive testimonies of how they have overcome and strengthened their faith. In the future, they will continue to develop topics according to their needs until they understand what it is to live out their faith in Jesus among their sisters and brothers until they all reach the fullness of Christ. 

Youth  
The Youth ministry was created under the direction of Giovany and Aurita Peña with plans called Ruta Josué, which to date is what is being developed. This ministry continues its course until it achieves its objective of training young people to reach the unconverted youth. We need many prayers for this ministry. 

Children 
Recently a new children’s ministry has been created. Several groups of leaders have been trained by forming teams through a youth group from the Canadian church. It is under the general direction of Girlesa Zuluaga. 

Yaviza discipleship 
It began under Einer Zuluaga with only students of the IEU. With time, many of the Guna people (Wounaan and Latino brothers from Colombia), and the Rama (from Nicaragua) wanted to participate in the discipleship and train their leaders.  

The interest is due to the living testimony of the graduates that they share in their churches since the focus of the school is to disciple with basic biblical foundations with an emphasis on the formation of Christian character and with real practice. In 2021, they closed due to COVID-19. In 2022, they resumed it. Let us pray for this ministry now under the direction of Pastor Dalecio Osorio. 

Stewardship of finances 
The IEU has two projects that are developing under the direction of Obdulio Isarama, called Casa Del Sembrador and Camp Yaviza. These offer social assistance in shelters for leaders of the IEU, leaders of different ethnic groups of the Comarca at the national level, and also to leaders of our partners at the international level, at the same time generate income for the proclamation of the gospel, open new churches, and other related works. Most of all for the self-sustainability of the IEU. 

Missionaries & missions 
Einer and Girlesa Zuluaga (Colombia) have been a blessing to the church through pastoral accompaniment, training and good advice. Lavern Pratt (Canada) has also begun to support the conference. We thank God for these missionaries. 

Now the IEU focuses its vision and mission on the Embera population under the general coordination of Pastor Ricardo Membache. They have selected a very remote region called Jaqué under the direction of a national missionary couple, Clemente and Narsi Donisabe. As a result, they already have an established church.  

In another area called Bajo Lepe, the construction of a chapel has already begun, since there are many attendees and a space to congregate is needed. There are other areas within the Comarca where they are starting with missionary work. It is in a region where they will be exploring new fields to establish churches. 

In addition, they are also working with the Wounaan brothers in Colombia, where the situation is more complicated because the culture has very strong ancestral roots. The progress is very slow. But they trust that sooner or later God will open doors in all these regions. God is already sending leaders to Yaviza UIS Discipleship School, Panama. Pray for Colombia. 

COVID-19 
For the IEU, especially for the five churches in the city, the years of the pandemic were very difficult. Anguish reigned in the country, jobs were paralyzed and members worried about how to cope during this time. Many members, leaders, and pastors passed away during this time. Thanks are to God through the brethren of the churches in Canada and the Mennonite World Conference who extended their hands to help during this time. The local churches in the countryside, which had some calmer years in terms of covid, helped with agricultural products. This year the situation has changed a bit. It has all been because of the goodness and mercy of our God who made us survive. To him be the glory. 

Let us pray for the conference in Panama, that God will give them the strength and health to continue in the works that have been entrusted to them. Churches that wish to participate in the above-mentioned works, whether in prayer or finances, are welcome. 

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The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 22 national churches in 19 countries. ICOMB also has associate members in more than 20 countries, all at different points along the pathway to full membership. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding.