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First woman to direct Congo Bible school
Elkhart, Indiana, USA – Holy Spirit fire dances in Bercy Mundedi’s eyes. It sets aflame the ministries to which she has been called – the most recent being to lead the Kalonda Bible Institute in Democratic Republic of Congo. She was named director during the 29 June 29–3 July 2016 general assembly of Communauté Mennonite…
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Peace Sunday 2016
“Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). In a world ravaged by violence, it is not easy to be a Peace Church – a church dedicated to the ways of Christ’s peace. These ways require much intentionality, persistence and even sacrifice. It is not always certain that Christ’s ways of peace will be effective. And yet the author of James reminds…
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How should Jesus followers respond to the Marrakesh Declaration?
Over the past three years, my family has enjoyed friendship with an extended family from Iraq who came to the USA as refugees and asylum seekers. We have enjoyed meals together in our homes, picnics, hiking trips, choir concerts and church services. When terrible events happen in the news, we lament together. Occasionally, where there…
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Aguapanela: youth and children drink in curriculum’s “faith vitamins”
“There is no path, Pilgrim. The path is made by walking.” This lovely phrase by the poet Antonio Machado epitomizes my life journey, particularly the two years I sojourned in Colombia. Each person’s identity is marked by their family and social contexts, and other histories. To tell the truth, my identity as Rut Atarama, a…
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Ministry partner update: ICOMB – August 2016
The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 21 national churches in 19 countries with approximately 450,000 members. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding. Meeting with César García After the Panama Summit, I met Cesar…
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CAMCA 2016: Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean Anabaptist Consultation
The annual Central America, Mexico and Caribbean Anabaptist Consultation (CAMCA) took place 5–9 July 2016 in the Escuela de Capacitación Adventista Salvadoreña, San Juan Opico, La Libertad, El Salvador. Fifty-nine participants came from México, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Argentina. It was organized by Sandra Campos, member of…
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A life with no sin
What comes to your mind when you hear the word hospitality? It usually reminds me of the experience I had when I visited a country in another continent. I thought Colombians were good hosts until a family from a different culture hosted me. It was just amazing: the amount and quality of food they offered,…
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Ministry partner update: ICOMB – July 2016
The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 21 national churches in 19 countries with approximately 450,000 members. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding. Fraternal visit to Platanares, Panama: 6–8 June 2016 After a somewhat rough,…
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Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference considers Peace Network
Bogotá, Colombia – Conrad Grebel University College hosted academics, practitioners, artists and church workers at the inaugural Global Mennonite Peacebuilding Conference and Festival, 9–12 June 2016. In Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 203 people from 20 countries (from Canada to Colombia to DR Congo) attended 30 concurrent sessions. Three plenary speakers (including Fernando Enns of Germany and…
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Regional Representatives connect with churches
Bogotá, Colombia – Smiles and a warm reception greeted Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Executive Committee member Steven Mang’ana and Regional Representative (Central/West Africa) Francisca Ibanda as they visited Église Mennonite du Burundi (EMB). In May 2016, Mang’ana and Ibanda visited two Mennonite national churches who are not MWC members, to encourage further connection. They brought…
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Reconciling the radical reformation
Report on Bearing Fruit, the Lutheran World Federation Task Force to follow up the “Mennonite Action” at the LWF Eleventh Assembly in 2010. Bogotá, Colombia – The reconciliation process between the Lutheran World Federation and Mennonite World Conference has created fertile ground for collaboration. A report summarizing the LWF-MWC action of reconciling with Mennonites over…
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Brief historic journey, profile, tendencies and challenges of Mennonites in Latin America
These reflections are a brief summary linking the historical development, profile and tendencies of the multiethnic Anabaptist communities and Mennonite churches in Latin America that belong to MWC, and present the challenges faced by Mennonites in their mission work, ministry and witness for peace and justice as they follow Jesus in a multiethnic continent. 1.…
