Prayers of gratitude and intercession

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7 describes the gospel as a “treasure” in “clay jars.”

    These humble vessels bring to mind the Japanese tradition of kintsukuroi that creates (or recreates) pottery from broken pieces. Damaged vessels are put back together, often with gold binding, to create a useful object once again.

    The new piece tells a story about the past and is infused with glory that is greater than the former, as in Haggai 2:9.

    As a community, try out this form of art.

    • Go throughout your neighbourhood, collecting rubbish, and cleaning up.
    • Find broken vessels (e.g., dishes or vases).
    • Clean the broken items that can be reused.
    • Work together to piece them back together, not into what they were but to create (or recreate) something new and beautiful.
    Photo: Andrew Suderman

    For example, see the pictured cross constructed from broken clay jars. Iglesia Cristiana Menonita Centre de Fe, Anolaima, built this park “Igleparque” in their town about 2 hours’ drive from Bogotá. It is open to the public. Church members guide visitors through to view its many features and to share the message of the gospel. 

    With permission, send your story and photo to photo@mwc-cmm.org to share with the global Anabaptist family.

    Peace Sunday 2024 – worship resource

     

  • Five vocal ensembles display God’s love in the diversity of culture through music in 10 concerts at 500 anniversary event in Zurich

    “Dalam Yesus…”  For many Assembly participants, the multilingual, multicultural music of plenary worship sessions is one of the most memorable parts of this global family encounter. Rashard Allen wants to expand on that at “The Courage to Love: Anabaptism@500” in Zurich, 29 May 2025. The Mennonite World Conference event commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement.

    The director of music and worship at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania, USA, has gathered one ensemble from each of the five MWC regions for the day.

    “We want to represent all that Anabaptism is now and what will it look like in the future: Two-thirds of Anabaptists are in the Global South. Anabaptism is very diverse,” he says.

    “Music is a huge part of expressing our diversity. Although we all speak different languages, music is a language all of us can relate to. And so, it gives us a window into a culture.

    “We can espouse Anabaptist theology and values, but music represents our diversity culturally,” Rashard Allen says. “The group from Latin America will sound different from the group from Africa. The way they express Anabaptism is contextualized through their music.”

    Consulting with MWC’s regional representatives and his own musical contacts around the world, Rashard Allen booked five ensembles:

    In line with event’s theme, “The Courage to Love,” each of the ensembles is committed to the work of reconciliation, says Rashard Allen. “They have a global ecumenical outlook in terms of how they understand their role in being an Anabaptist choir/ensemble.”

    Each group will present two concerts and participate in the mass worship gathering at the close of the day. Indoor concerts at the Predigerkirche will be 45 minutes long. The ensembles will also give a 30-minute outdoor concert. Due to local bylaws about amplification, the outdoor concerts will have a modified instrumentation style.

    “Each experience will be unique because the groups do things in different ways,” says Rashard Allen.

    There’s going to be a lot going on: workshops, a walking tour, a panel discussion and the choirs.

    “My hope is that other people will see the ensembles as a centrepiece of the event and take in as much as they can,” he says.

    “Treat it like a buffet: see one outdoor concert and one indoor concert. I would encourage people to watch a group that is not from their home continent. Allow yourself to experience something new. Each experience will be unique.”

    “I believe each person and each culture gives us a window into an aspect of who God is. I hope people will look for that in the music.”

    “I’m looking forward to worship once again with such a diversity in music, so many different expressions of love for God and God’s love,” says Rashard Allen, who was part of the international ensemble for Assembly 17.  

    “You will get a sense of where the Anabaptist church is now and where it has been. I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

    Find information about tours for The Courage to Love: Anabaptism@500.

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  • The management board of the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO)* held their annual meeting both in person in Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana, USA, and by Zoom on 24 May 2024. This meeting brought together board members from the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands to discuss the upcoming year of projects and to facilitate a transition in board leadership.  

    One key focus of this year’s meeting was expanding GAMEO’s multilingual offerings. GAMEO board members met with Michèle Sigg of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography (DACB) to learn about Sigg’s experience with publishing multilingual web content and increasing accessibility for DACB users.  

    Following the meeting, GAMEO members agreed on several updates to the site to increase multilingual access.  

    One of these updates is already complete – on May 28th, GAMEO released two new article categories, French language articles, and Spanish language articles, that allow users to locate and access articles based on the publishing language of the material. 

    Board members also voted to allow content submissions in any language and to work toward integrating Google Translate options into the site.  

    In addition to those changes, board members allocated a portion of this year’s budget for web updates. The planned updates include making the site more smartphone-friendly, redesigning GAMEO’s homepage, and adding tools to make it easier for users to suggest corrections and updates.  

    With the retirement of Jon Isaak, executive secretary of the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission and GAMEO board chair since 2020, and Bert Friesen, GAMEO financial liaison, Aileen Friesen of the D.F. Plett Historical Research Foundation will take on both roles. 

    —GAMEO news release 

    * GAMEO is an online free encyclopedia that is probably the most authoritative source of information about Anabaptist Mennonites, Hutterites and Amish that is available on the internet. 

  • “One body with different parts and different functions: Even though we exist in different locations and cultures, we share the same convictions central to our belief and practices,” says George Broughton, reflecting on Mennonite World Conference. He is one of several new people serving to building up the global family through MWC.  

    Regional representative: Caribbean 

    William George Broughton – known to friends as George – has been appointed MWC regional representative for the Caribbean. He served as pastor of Temple Hall Mennonite Church, a congregation of the Jamaica Mennonite Church (JMC), for 30 years. He served as president of JMC for eight years and currently serves as chair of the Pastors Fraternity. He studied at Jamaica Theological Seminary.  

    A bivocational minister, George Broughton also employed his education in urban and rural environment management (MSc) and public health (BSc) working as environmental public health officer for the Ministry of Health, Jamaica, for 40 years and for five years as a lecturer in a local university. 

    George Broughton represented JMC as delegate to MWC’s General Council meetings from 1997 in Kolkata, India, to 2018 in Kenya, excepting 2009 in Paraguay. 

    George Broughton and his wife Joan have two young adult children. 

    “I am excited about the fact and opportunity to be serving as the bridge between MWC and the conferences in my region, seeking to convey a better understanding of the Caribbean people to the worldwide MWC constituency,” he says. 

    YAMEN coordinator 

    MWC collaborates with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) on YAMEN, a yearlong service opportunity for young Christian adults outside Canada and the USA. Participants experience living in a different culture while serving alongside local MCC partners in schools, farms, community agencies and day cares, gaining hands-on experience.  

    In April 2024, MCC separated the position of IVEP (international volunteer exchange program) coordinator from that of YAMEN coordinator. Andrea Geiser Leaman continues to coordinate the North America based program while Carolina Pérez Cano, SEED Colombia coordinator since 2013, takes on YAMEN, also an MWC appointment. Additionally, since April, she work alongside SEED coordinators in 6 locations. (SEED is a two-year program that brings together young people from different parts of the world to accompany the community development processes of MCC partners.) 

    A member of El Rebaño, a Mennonite Brethren church, Carolina Pérez Cano coordinates the programs from Bogota, Colombia. She has training in nursing, social work and a master’s degree in international cooperation for development. 

    “The church is a great field of opportunities, from where you can build peace, create community and generate welfare/development,” says Carolina Pérez Cano.  

    YABs Committee: Europe representative 

    Saskia Horsch was approved as YABs Committee Europe representative, after Gaëlle Oesch (France) stepped down in 2023. She is a member of Evangelische Freikirche Schwandorf- Mennonitengemeinde, a congregation of AMG (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Gemeinden in Deutschland).”  

    A student beginning medical school, Saskia Horsch is active in her local church and has gone on Christian service trips to The Gambia, Czech Republic and Greece, many through the Herzwerk Christian formation program of Forum Wiedenest e.V. JUWE (South German Mennonite Youth Organization) summer camp has been formative in her faith journey where she has participated as a camper and a volunteer.  

    “I have experienced how helpful it is to have other young believers to walk beside you, supporting each other and learning from each other; I want other young people to experience it as well,” says Saskia Horsch. “I am excited about working together with people from all over the world.”  

    Updated: 4 July 2024 – correction to Carolina’s work experience

  • The rain came with a cool breeze, driving humid heat out the open church windows. So began “That the World May Know” (John 17:23), the fourth Global Gathering of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) in Accra, Ghana.  

    The gathering 16-19 April 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the Global Christian Forum. This is unique space for all major streams of Christianity to be together for encounter and prayer. Today, the GCF reflects the movement of the majority of churches from the Global North to the Global South. 

    A communiqué written by a group of eight representatives summarized the event.  

    “To share our personal stories is to witness to the resurrection of Christ together. These stories act as bridges that help to foster mutual respect and embrace diversity by recognising Christ in the other,” the GCF communiqué says. 

    Faith and Life Commission member Anne-Cathy Graber represented Mennonite World Conference at the Forum. “It’s an honour to contribute to the third part of MWC’s mission to ‘relate to other Christian world communions’ by participating in this global gathering,” she says. “We pray that the world may know we are Christ’s disciples through our unity lived out through gatherings like these.” 

    Anne-Cathy Graber represents Mennonite World Conference at the Global Christian Forum
    Anne-Cathy Graber represents Mennonite World Conference at the Global Christian Forum. Photo: Comfort Woode

    Broken in humanity 

    The Forum included a pilgrimage to Cape Coast Castle where millions of African men, women, and children were kept in dungeons until loaded on ships that would take them to the Americas, Caribbean and Europe as objects of trade. In the church building above the dark stifling space, blessings had been invoked for the ships that carried captives away. 

    Story sharing throughout the Forum told of continuing dehumanisation across the world today. Following the castle visit, participants worshipped in Wesley Methodist Cathedral, calling for lamentation, healing and reconciliation. 

    “We are empowered by the Spirit to act for the restoration of the world. As the broken yet reconciling Body of Christ, we can clearly hear the voice of the Shepherd who heals all wounds,” declares the GCF communiqué. “The church must raise its prophetic voice.” 

    The very first youth gathering in GCF’s history preceded the main Forum from 13-15 April 2024. The diversity and vision of the young adults gave energy to their own conversations about justice, hope and reconciliation. 

    Traditional Ghanaian drummers provide welcome music as delegates arrive for the Global Christian Forum in Ghana. 
    A procession of flags from participating countries is headed by a Ghanaian-style cross.  
    A Glimpse of the Fourth Global Gathering

  • 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