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A challenge and a prayer
“I always leave Online Prayer Hour feeling encouraged,” says Ginny Hostetler, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Every two months, Mennonite World Conference hosts this online gathering. Participants spend most of the hour sharing and praying together in small groups according to language. This September, breakout rooms were facilitated in English, French, Spanish, Hindi, and, for the first…
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No one was left behind
The General Council is the decision-making body of Mennonite World Conference. Using consensus decision making, they discern strategy, policy and statements that guide the global Anabaptist family. Out of 106 General Council delegates who were present at the triennial meetings in Germany in 2025, more than 60 were representing their church for the first time. (As…
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Young Anabaptists eager to encounter the global family
During the Global Youth Summit (GYS) in 2015 in Pennsylvania, USA, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) general secretary César García said, “If you want a revolution, ask someone young to lead.” This year’s GYS was the latest step in MWC’s journey of walking with young leaders in following Jesus together. From the creation of the GYS…
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Assembly 18 theme revealed: Christ unites us
“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…
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Terms renewed and specialists appointed
As Mennonite World Conference’s Executive Committee and General Council delegates gather for worship, fellowship and discernment, there are farewells and hellos. Members of the Executive Committee and the Commission serve six-year terms. The terms are staggered to ensure continuity. Executive Committee The Executive Committee is elected from the General Council (GC) and meets annually. Two…
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Living in a new era
César García (right) interviewed church leaders from other traditions who were present throughout General Council meetings in May 2025. (l-r) Paul Tché, Tim Gee, Neil Vigers, Hanns Lessing (with microphone), Samuel van der Maas, Anne-Cathy Graber (MWC secretary for ecumenical relations). “Reconciliation is central to our faith as Anabaptists,” said César García, Mennonite World Conference…
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A movement that has been diverse and international
The bells rang out across the city that full of Anabaptists. An estimated 3 500 or more people filled the streets of old Zurich on Ascension Day 29 May 2025 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. “Today, as Mennonites in Switzerland we are a small community,” said Gladys Geiser & Lukas Amstutz, co-presidents, Konferenz der…
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MWC at 100: “We come together and share”
“He has done marvellous things!” An international ensemble with members from the USA, Germany, Colombia and Indonesia led the congregation in singing these words to open the fundraising celebration of 100 years of Mennonite World Conference. One of those marvellous things is 110 national churches* agreeing to walk together through MWC. César García preached from…
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A role model for others
Glory Michael Sunday is from Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria where she attends Ikot Ekang Itam Assembly, a congregation of MWC member church Mennonite Church Nigeria. She’s currently nearing the end of her term with YAMEN (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network) serving as a teacher at P4T Nursery and Primary School in Kyangwali Refugee Camp…
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From celebration to commemoration
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) concludes its triennial General Council (GC) meeting 26-28 May 2025 in Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Germany, with a clear framework for the future.
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A reminder of our presence in the world
“We are stewards of creation; this tree reminds us that every step we take as Commissions, as Officers, and Networks has repercussions for creation,” says Henk Stenvers, MWC president. It also symbolizes our presence in the world, he said. The Executive Committee, Commissions, staff and Creation Care Task Force planted a linden tree (tilia cordata)…
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Bigger responsibilities in the global church
At the meetings in May 2025, General Council members will vote on a proposal for every Mennonite World Conference full member to have one Young AnaBaptist (YAB) delegate in the General Council starting 2028.
