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Global gathering mourns, repents and reconciles
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…
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What does peace need to thrive?
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…
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YABs Fellowship Week 2024 – Prayer requests
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…
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A beautiful mosaic, crafted by God’s hand
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…
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A pastoral letter for Anabaptists in Colombia
“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,…
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The power of hospitality and relationships in mission
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…
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Theologians and laypeople study the Bible together
“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…
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Renewal: Awakening to a global family of faith
“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…
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Executive Committee approves theological education and creation care grants
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…
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Every church must plan for succession
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…
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MKC promises memorable and inspirational Assembly
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…
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One God and Spirit: a bond of peace
“…Making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). A global fellowship, 109 national churches, 58 countries, some 10 000 congregations, 1.4 million members, 45 languages: can that ever be unified? The church is often called the body of Christ. A physical body needs different organs to…
