Prayers of gratitude and intercession

  • 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.  

    YABs updates

    Click here to volunteer or learn more about Zurich 2025.  

    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). 
    Register here

  • 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. 

  • 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.

    YABs Fellowship Week 2024 worship resource

  • 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.

    YABs Fellowship Week 2024 worship resource

  • “He will cover you with his pinions,
        and under his wings you will find refuge;
        his faithfulness is a shield and defense.”

    Psalm 91:4

    Beloved brothers and sisters

    The council of elders (Consejo de Ancianos) of Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas de Colombia calls on the global Anabaptist Mennonite family to support them in prayer.

    In mid-May, approximately 300 people took shelter in the village of La Toma, Suarez Cauca, Colombia. These people abandoned their farms and animals as a result of the crossfire between illegal groups and the Army.

    The Mennonite Brethren congregation (La Samaritana) located in La Toma welcomed them in the church building with food, mattresses and messages of encouragement.

    “It is our desire that the global Anabaptist community learn about and support us in prayer for the difficult situation of the people of northern Cauca, Colombia,” write church leaders from Colombia.

    “We ask for your prayerful support for the end of this armed conflict, that the families may return to their homes in peace and security, and for God’s blessing on the congregation in La Toma, which is manifesting God’s mercy to those who need it so much.”

    “We also thank God for the prompt response of the Mennonite Central Committee in sending support to help with the maintenance of the people in refuge in La Toma.”

    Pray for the farming families who fear for their livelihoods and their lives. May they be able to safely return to their land.

    Pray for the peace processes that continue to struggle to take root in all corners of Colombian society. May patience and nonviolence prevail.

    Pray for the people of La Samaritana. May they receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so they can act with courage and love to transform violence into justice, truthtelling and shalom.

    Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
    In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.

    Henk StenversHenk Stenvers, president, Mennonite World Conference

  • In December 2023, the Integrated Mennonite Church (IMC) of the Philippines’ Mission Services Department sent a team of pastors for a one-month learning tour in Indonesia with Gereja Injili Tanah Jawa (GITJ) and Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI) churches. 

    “We’ve had a partnership with GITJ Mission Commission and PIPKA* (the mission agency) of GKMI since 2005,” said Richard A. Rancap, IMC mission services department director. “We collaborate in training young people for mission and discipleship.  

    “As this training partnership continued, the leaders felt the need to also prepare pastors and church leaders who have never had the experience in another country to expand their perspective.” 

    In 2017 and 2018, GITJ sent three pastors to the Philippines, where they preached, taught, visited and prayed for the sick, and participated in school ministries and sharing their testimonies. “They also cooked us Indonesian food!” said Richard Rancap. 

    Visiting the Philippines broadened their perspective about faith, life and the mission of the church, the pastors say. There haven’t been any other visits since then (due to the pandemic) until December 2023 when a group of four pastors from IMC visited GITJ and GKMI churches in Indonesia, visiting both Jakarta and some towns in Central Java. 

    Christ-like character 

    In Jakarta, they stayed at the house of GKMI moderator Agus Mayanto, who is also MWC’s regional representative for Southeast Asia.  

    “We saw how he and his wife fostered many university students from outside of Jakarta, discipling them and training them up as missional leaders while they were studying for their chosen career,” Richard Rancap said.  

    “We also met with PIPKA leaders, who stated that discipleship is not a program, but a continuous commitment to building relationships and mentoring others where we embody Christ-like character. This was a new perspective for us.” 

    The power of hospitality 

    From Jakarta, the team journeyed on to Central Java, where they were hosted by several GITJ families. “It was nearing Christmas day when we got there, and the weather was very hot. But the hospitality of our GITJ hosts was so refreshing. In Central Java, we really saw the impact of GITJ’s hospitality, humanity and commitment to relationships on their communities,” Braian Carasco said. 

    To begin with, Bishop Jomedes Eusebio noticed the Christmas celebrations were open to people of all faiths. “Sometimes the Christmas event was held outside of the church to cater for more people.” 

    “In one instance, a community elder who doesn’t usually talk or greet the Christian minority was invited to the church to light a peace candle during a Christmas event. He showed up and participated, and afterwards he said to the church pastor that he was happy to have participated in an event filled with songs, dances, delicious food and sermon. That night, everyone went home with a joyful heart,” said Richard Rancap. 

    “We felt that GITJ’s relationship with their neighbours is an example of Jesus’  prayer, ‘that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me’ (John 17:21),” said Bishop Rufino Mateo. 

    He says the life of the church extends beyond the church building and into the community. “They live their lives with humility, in harmony with others.” 

    Partnership is the way forward 

    Upon the return, Richard Rancap commented, “We realize we are a small church conference. But we have a role in fulfilling the Great Commission – we have a gift, and other churches have different gifts. The best way to move forward is in partnership with others, as in Romans 1:12 (ESV), ‘that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.’ In walking with others, we learn each other’s best practices and our burdens become lighter.” 

    “We also learn by visiting other churches that God works in so many ways. We learn to put aside our pride and listen to new ideas. Both GITJ and GKMI showed us that as followers of Christ, they humbled themselves and serve others in their communities, just like Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. It was a moving experience,” said Richard Rancap. 

    * PIPKA (Pekabaran Injil dan Pelayanan Kasih) 

    *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 more a congregation gathers all kinds of readers to study and interpret Scripture together, the more equipped its members will be to identify their common values and mission,” says Malinda Berry.  

    She is developing “Anabaptist Thriving Congregations” a five-year program designed to equip Mennonite congregations in the U.S. and Canada to read and interpret both the Bible and their sociocultural context for the purpose of being witnesses to the gospel in their local community.  

    Malinda Elizabeth Berry, director of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s (AMBS) Faith Formation Collaborative (FFC), notes that a core belief of Anabaptism is that faith communities consisting of ordinary people can read and interpret Scripture together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  

    However, in North America, the practice of studying Scripture together on a regular basis has diminished over time among Mennonites.  

     “Gathering ‘professional readers’ like my colleagues who can read the Bible in Greek and Hebrew, and ‘everyday readers’ like me who read Scripture in translation” is central to this Bible study,” says Malinda Berry.  

    “When we bring together the realities of ordinary living with the insights of biblical scholarship, something special begins to happen,” Malinda Berry says. “Scripture has power to be a vital dialogue partner with us as we adapt to the changing cultural and social contexts where our congregations find themselves.  

    The idea for the project emerged from a listening process that AMBS conducted in 2021 with leaders in the seminary’s sponsoring denominations, Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. In response to the question, “What is the most meaningful thing AMBS can do to support current and future congregational leaders?” many leaders asked for help in understanding their social contexts, leading congregational discernment processes and teaching biblical stories to engage the present context.  

    The new program addresses these specific needs through the practice of Confessional Bible Study, an approach developed at AMBS, Berry said.  

    Each year, “Seminary Sages” (AMBS Teaching Faculty members and other professionals) will train and accompany teams of three to five “Congregational Guides” (including a pastor) to lead their congregations in a structured learning process. They’ll study their social and cultural contexts and learn to lead Confessional Bible Study. Then they’ll reflect together on what they’re learning, how it’s shaping their congregation’s values and mission, and how it will help them embody the good news of God’s love in their community. 

    “Recent discussions among pastors in the New York City Council of Mennonite Churches reflect a growing interest in communal discernment that engages the Bible as a sacred conversation partner,” says Ruth Yoder Wenger, pastor of North Bronx (New York) Mennonite Church and conference minister for the New York City congregations of Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA. 

    Berry expects that when the program concludes in 2028, it will have generated many resources for ongoing use by the seminary.  

    —News release by Annette Brill Bergstresser for Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary

  • “Transformation in the Bible is always communal, not individual,” said César García at Renewal 2024* in Curitiba, Brazil. It requires dialogue in the community, where diversity of position enables us to correct mistakes of the past to deepen our relationship with God in the years to come.” 

    In this spirit of dialogue and unity, members of three Anabaptist-Mennonite national churches worshipped together with international guests at Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas do Boqueirão – Cruz Verde in Curitiba, Brazil, 6 April 2024 for Mennonite World Conference’s Renewal event.  

    It occurred at the end of two days of workshops for church leaders and pastors of Mennonite churches in Brazil, where they discerned together how to continue working closer together in the future. 

    “MWC’s Renewal 2024in Curitiba is timely: Renewal is always timely,” said Paul Dück, representative of MWC member church COBIM (Convenção Brasileira das Igrejas Evangélicas Irmãos Menonitas).  

    “Most of us think about our local church. Then we think regionally: our national church. Only after that do we think of an international communion. The Renewal 2024 evening showed us different realities of being followers of Jesus: the suffering, the joy, the growth and opened our eyes that God’s work knows no barriers. As our churches become more diverse, we need to work more on jointly discerning God’s will. We are God’s work in progress.”  

    Inspiring speakers 

    Throughout the evening, MWC representatives from around the world shared how God is bringing people into communion with each other and with God.  

    Valentina Kunze (YABs Committee chair) from Uruguay shared that despite secularism in her country, God continues to show how God is real. At a beach summer camp, “I had the privilege of helping one girl say the repentance prayer and came to her baptism several months later.” 

    Southeast Asia regional representative Agus Mayanto from Indonesia shared a testimony of fostering 120 underprivileged and abused children. “Since we are saved by grace, we have this passion to have others experience this grace,” he said.  

    speakers photos
    Valentina Kunze – Agus Mayanto – Danisa Ndlovu – Amos Chin

    From Zimbabwe, regional representative Danisa Ndlovu, shared how a funeral service became a revival meeting when many shared how the deceased woman touched lives. She embodied Romans 14:8 “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.” 

    Executive Committee member Amos Chin shared about the civil war in Myanmar. “Yet, in the midst of extreme hardship, our members lived the Anabaptist teaching not to engage in armed violence. And God is at work – there’s no slowdown in church growth.” 

    “MWC brings people into one communion,” said Henk Stenvers, MWC president. “This communion is a gift from our God who wants to bring people together.”  

    Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas do Boqueirão – Cruz Verde in Curitiba, Brazil
    Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas do Boqueirão – Cruz Verde in Curitiba, Brazil. Photo: Irma Sulistyorini

    Mennonite World Conference creates opportunities to bring people together in prayer, fellowship and worship together through its publications, networks, worship events and online prayer hour. 

    “My father and grandfather were involved in building this church,” said Karin Pankratz, who came with her mother that evening. “To see people from all over the world coming together and sharing stories in this church is remarkable.” 

    “Hearing directly the testimonies from around the world breaks down walls and gives us the opportunity to look beyond our borders. We can read these testimonies in MWC Info and Courier, but when the people are here, connecting directly with us, we remember and we learn more,” said Paul Dück. 

    * Renewal 2028 is a series of events commemorating the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement. Each year, local churches host the event in a different region of the world. 

    Renewal 2024 photos

    Church visits allowed for more intimate conversations 

    Following Saturday’s event, 52 MWC guests attended 12 local Mennonite congregations in and around Curitiba. They preached, shared testimonies from their home countries, and responded to questions about MWC or about faith and life in another country. 

    “Everyone, especially our younger members, were touched by the visit and their testimonies. The vast majority of us did not have an idea of what MWC is, but after the visit everyone felt like they belonged in this global family.”  
    —Marcos Assis, pastor of Igreja Evangélica Menonita Porto Amazonas 

    After the service at Igreja Evangélica Menonita Porto Amazonas, many young people spontaneously asked to join the MWC guests for lunch at the pastor’s house. “Meeting people from another place and hearing about their country, their family, their church and how they live their faith caught everyone’s attention.” 
    —Dietmar Kliewer, AIMB vice-president; interpreter at Igreja Evangélica Menonita de Imbituva 

    “We really enjoyed hearing what God has done in Mennonite churches around the world. I’d mentioned it other times, but with someone from the outside speaking it, church members are awakened to learn about how MWC works. They want to learn more about Mennonites at global level. The message shared was profound and brings us hope.”  
    —André Mendes, pastor, Igreja Evangélica Menonita de Imbituva 

    church visit
    Some MWC staff and Regional representative visited AEM Conference, Brazil, in April 2024.

     

  • Continues shaping networks, adding membership and supporting learning and action in member churches 

    Funding for theological education and carbon tax small grants was passed at the annual meeting of Mennonite World Conference’s Executive Committee meeting, 8-11 April 2024 in Curitiba, Brazil.  

    Two new funds 

    For many years, MWC member churches have called for more opportunities for Anabaptist-rooted theological training. “Now that the majority of our Anabaptist membership is in the Global South, we have a huge need to do theology, forming an Anabaptist identity in each context. We need to develop strong Anabaptist identities, focused on the centrality of Christ,” said César García, MWC general secretary. 

    The Theological Education Fund will offer scholarships for theological training for pastors and other church leaders in places where Anabaptist theological education is difficult to find, specifically in the Global South. “We hope this will help leadership in our global communion more closely reflect the vision of Revelation 7 of a great multitude from every nation and people and language,” said César García. 

    The Executive Committee also approved the creation of Carbon Tax Small Grant Fund. Since 2010, MWC has set aside a carbon tax surcharge on all organizational air travel. The funds collected over the years will now be available to national member churches in the Global South to implement creation care projects with direct relevance to reducing carbon emissions. 

    “The intent of the surcharge is to 1) acknowledge the impact of air travel in a concrete way, 2) publicly demonstrate MWC’s commitment to taking care of God’s creation,” says Doug Graber Neufeld, Creation Care Task Force chair, who joined the meetings in Brazil via Zoom. “We’re pleased to offer a way to use the funds for an activity that in some way offsets the impact of flying.” 

    Strengthening networks, expanding membership 

    Over the last decade, MWC Executive Committee approved the placement of several emerging networks in MWC: Global Anabaptist Education Networks (GAEN), Global Anabaptist Health Network (GAHN), and Global Anabaptist Peace Network (GAPN). At these meetings, they approved a revised Terms of Reference (TOR) that explains how the networks interact with Commissions. The new TOR includes a different fee structure and provides greater clarity on the composition and organizational structure of the Networks. 

    The revised TOR will also apply to existing networks Global Mission Fellowship (GMF) and the Global Anabaptist Service Network (GASN), part of the Mission Commission. The revised TOR will be considered by the General Council in 2025 before implementation. 

    The Executive Committee also affirmed a proposal for constitutional change that will make room for Young Anabaptist (YABs) delegates to become members of the General Council, which will be tabled at next year’s General Council meeting. Saskia Horsch of Germany was confirmed as YABs representative for Europe as Gaëlle Oesch stepped down in 2023. 

    Two new membership applications were also accepted: the Association of Christian Mennonite Brethren Churches of Ukraine (AMBCU) and Kanisa La Mennonite La Kiinjili Tanzania (KMKT – Evangelical Church of Tanzania). This brings MWC’s worldwide membership to 110 member churches in more than 10,000 congregations in 60 countries, with over 1.5 million baptized members. 

    Ecumenical relations 

    In preparation for the 500th anniversary commemoration events, the Executive Committee approved a joint statement with the World Communion of Reformed Churches. An international team of five theologians from each communion drafted “a common statement of confession, gratitude and commitment” to be presented at the event 29 May 2025. 

    The Executive Committee approved the 2023 financial report and 2024 budget. It also considered proposals with the potential to redefine aspects of membership in MWC. 

    In addition to decision-making sessions, the Executive Committee also had equipping sessions. Faith and Life Commission chair Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld gave three sessions on the new tagline: following Jesus, living out unity, building peace. Conflict, change and leadership consultant Betty Pries of Canada facilitated strategic planning for 2025-2031. 

  • Jeremiah Choi, MWC regional representative for North Asia, retired as lead pastor of Agape Mennonite Church in Hong Kong in November 2023. Elina Ciptadi (MWC Interim Chief Communications Officer) sat down with him at the Executive Committee meetings in Curitiba, Brazil, in April 2024, to gather his reflections on this transition period. 

    “The calling has to come first. One shouldn’t be a pastor if not called and passionate about it,” says Jeremiah Choi.  

    Being a pastor is more a calling than a profession. So how does one retire? 

    “Pastors need to look at our limitations as we get older. We need to evaluate our health, cognitive ability, physical strength. I have to admit that I don’t remember as many details as I was able to in the past. I don’t want the church to be disadvantaged because of that,” he says.  

    “This is why a succession plan is important and should be included in the church regulation.” 

    “Even if the church feels they still need you and want to keep you longer, it should be reviewed on a yearly basis. It should not be a given that one person will stay as lead pastor for life. Every church must plan for succession,” he says. 

    What Jeremiah Choi found gratifying in preparing for retirement was the ability to mentor his successor.  

    “We still meet regularly in a mentor-mentee relationship. He is the lead pastor as well as the youth pastor. (The church is small and can only afford one pastor.) It’s time for him to lead.” 

    Although no longer senior pastor at Agape Mennonite, Jeremiah Choi continues to serve as consultant pastor on a voluntary basis. He also represents the congregation to the other two Mennonite churches in Hong Kong.  

    Jeremiah Choi, Jeremiah’s daughter Esther Choi and Elina Ciptadi.

    “This is probably one day a week of my time. What’s different is that I no longer have responsibility to care for all church members, being in charge of everything. As one of two voluntary pastors in the church, I now focus on the senior citizen ministry of the church while the other volunteer works more on women’s ministry,” he says. 

    Within his capacity as representative to the three Mennonite churches in Hong Kong, Jeremiah Choi hopes to grow the Mennonite church as a denomination in Hong Kong. “Every lead pastor of the three churches is focused on the work of their local church, and I’m happy to be able to help on how the three churches can collaborate on growing the denomination.” 

    Besides his roles in his local and national church, Jeremiah Choi serves as the MWC North Asia regional representative, covering Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.  

    “Being connected to MWC makes us realize that we are not alone. We have brothers and sisters around the world who pray for us, stand with us in solidarity, and also support us in practical ways when we are in need,” he says. 

    That solidarity was shown by a delegation visit from the Peace and Deacons Commissions in 2019 at a time of political protests. 

    “Our church remembers this visit very fondly,” says Jeremiah Choi. 

    “MWC’s work in promoting connection between churches and shaping our Anabaptist identity have greatly benefited our church. Many small churches like ours don’t have the resources for this, but we know we can rely on MWC or other churches to use existing materials. I look forward to continuing to serve with MWC.” 

    GKMI Solo 2022 group photo
    Jeremiah Choi (far left) and Siaka Traoré (fourth from the right) with the group at the Solo satellite location for Assembly 17. Photo: Esterningsih Djihartono

    When we are in need: Burkina Faso’s gift to Hong Kong 

    Those connections between churches produced a gift that touches his heart still.  

    Among the first to introduce measures against infections from COVID-19, Hong Kong had a shortage of masks in early 2020. Jeremiah Choi put out a call for masks to the global church.  

    West Africa regional representative Siaka Traoré was the first to respond.  

    “Siaka had to walk far to the city to buy those masks and send them to us. Then brothers and sisters in India also sent us masks.  

    “The care extended to us really touched the church members,” he said. 

    About MWC national member church: the Conference of Mennonite Churches in Hong Kong 

    The Conference of Mennonite Churches in Hong Kong consists of three Mennonite congregations in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China that is home to 7 million people. Following Mennonite Central Committee relief work with mainland Chinese refugees in the 1950s and North America mission workers starting in the 1960s, the church was officially established in 1985. 

    How can you pray for The Conference of Mennonite Churches in Hong Kong?

     

  • Beloved sisters and brothers: 

    Our brothers and sisters in Kenya Mennonite Church have asked for prayer that the continuous rain in Kisumu County would subside.

    Weeks of heavier than usual rains for the season have wreaked havoc in many parts of East Africa, a region vulnerable to climate disasters. 

    The existing flooding was made worse on Sunday morning, 5 May 2024, when the rain broke the banks of the nearby River Nyando. Major roads and the bridge connecting Kisumu to Nairobi and other neighbouring cities was submerged. This has considerably slowed down rescue and aid efforts. 

    Businesses and schools were forced to close. Some 600 people are still trapped in their homes. Some 15,000 people have been displaced and cases of water-borne diseases like typhoid and schistosomiasis are starting to surface. 

    As one family of faith, we ask you to remember the people of Kenya – especially our Mennonite brothers and sisters – in your individual and corporate prayers. 

    • May the rain and flood waters subside
    • May land access to affected areas open soon. 
    • May businesses that suffer loss recover 
    • May people be protected from water-borne illnesses.
    • May medical support be available. 

    Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
    In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.

    Henk Stenvers, president, Mennonite World Conference

  • The MWC Assembly in Ethiopia in 2028 takes its first steps toward celebration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and appointment of a national advisory council. 

    From 11-17 January 2024, MWC leaders Liesa Unger (Chief International Events Officer), Sunoko Lin (treasurer), Lisa Carr-Pries (vice president) and Henk Stenvers (president) visited Ethiopia. They met with local leaders from MWC member Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) and viewed potential venues in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu. 

    Four representatives were appointed to the national advisory council (NAC) with one appointment pending.  

    • Tewodros Beyene, chair 
    • Tewodros Moges, vice chair 
    • Tigist Tesfaye, recording secretary 
    • Aboma Tefera, communications representative 
    • [pending], youth representative 

    The national advisory council is composed of representatives of the member conference to whom it is responsible. Its role is to provide counsel to MWC on planning the Assembly, to assure participation from the host conference, to assess the gifts MKC can contribute, to initiate local fundraising, and to communicate about the event with local congregations.  

    An MKC congregation in Ethiopia. Photo: Henk Stenvers

    “It is an honour to host the 2028 MWC that coincides with the 500th anniversary of the Mennonite movement,” says Desalegn Abebe. Mennonite World Conference commemorates 500 years since the first Anabaptist baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland, with a 10-year series of Renewal events from 2017-2028). “MKC will do everything at its capacity to make the conference memorable and inspirational,” he says. 

    “We are pleased to celebrate this historic event in Ethiopia, home to the largest single MWC national member church,” says Henk Stenvers. “Expressions of Anabaptism today are vibrant and growing around the world, particularly in Africa.” 

    MWC global Assemblies often take place in July. However, Ethiopia’s rainy season makes that an unsuitable time. January (coinciding with the holiday season for Coptic Christmas in Ethiopia) April (Easter) and (August) are potential times for the global gathering.  

    “We look forward to welcoming thousands of Anabaptist-Mennonites from around the world for five days of worship, learning, experiences and building relationship across cultures in Ethiopia in 2028,” says Liesa Unger.