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Congolese youth strengthen ties
DR Congo — In a world where differences and distance often divide people of faith, Mennonite youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are participating in an exchange program to strengthen ties among the country’s three Mennonite conferences. The exchange program, called Menno-Monde, or Menno-World, allows youth to spend a week or two living…
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Congolese visitors seek resources for their fast-growing church
Elkhart, Indiana – A quest to learn how Mennonite Church USA congregations and agencies find resources for their ministries brought Macaire Kilambo Kabanga and Roussel Kimakamba, lay leaders in Communauté Mennonite au Congo (Mennonite Church of Congo – CMCO) on a recent month-long tour of the United States. “Our church is growing,” said Kumakamba, who…
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Theological training scholarships awarded to 21 women
Goshen Indiana, USA – In 2013, Mennonite Women USA’s International Women’s Fund (IWF) awarded scholarships totaling $10,500 to 21 women in India, Africa and Latin America. Scholarships are used by recipients in pursuit of theological training for church leadership. Prospective students are referred to Mennonite Women USA by church leaders in their countries, or by…
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Kick-off celebrations held a year before 2015 MWC Assembly
Harrisburg and Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, USA – Mennonites and Brethren in Christ in eastern Pennsylvania enthusiastically welcomed Mennonite World Conference leaders on Sunday, 20 July at two kick-off celebrations, exactly one year in advance of the opening of the 21-26 July 2015 MWC Assembly, Pennsylvania 2015. One event was held in the morning at Harrisburg…
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Peacemakers’ screened at the Night of Faith in Basel
Basel, Switzerland – More than 1,000 people saw the movie “Peacemakers” at the Theodorskirch during the first Festival of the Night of Faith that took place in Basel on 17 May 2013. During seven screenings between 5:00 pm and 12:30 am, the 25 minute movie created and produced by Max Wiedmer and his team attracted…
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Cloth market supports Congolese women’s theological studies
Tshikapa, DR Congo – “We who were hidden in the shadows have just come out into the light!” exclaimed a young woman preparing for the ministry in the Communauté Mennonite au Congo (CMCo – Congo Mennonite Church) in a recent interview. “May this light last forever in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Charlie…
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Latin American Church Leaders Seek Hope, Shared Identity
Guatemala City, Guatemala – In a context of widespread poverty, violence, and competing religious currents, where do Anabaptist-Mennonite churches in Latin America find hope? On 10-14 February, 137 Mennonite church leaders from 19 different countries gathered at a Catholic retreat center in Guatemala City for conversations around the theme “Toward a Ministry of Hope: social…
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Exploring the Anabaptist vision in South Korea
Chuncheon, South Korea – U.K. Anabaptist leader Stuart Murray explored the basics of Anabaptist theology, history and ministry with Mennonites in South Korea during a country-wide speaking tour 20 April-3 May. During his visit Murray – author of the popular book The Naked Anabaptist (Herald Press, 2010) – engaged in conversation with Anabaptist leaders about…
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Training Anabaptist leaders in Latin America
Bogotá, Colombia – This year, 210 leaders will complete Anabaptist education courses at seminaries in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Although the seminaries teach by “the book,” their students are far from traditional. Most are church members with full-time jobs and families. One Saturday a month, they gather for a daylong intensive class, only breaking for…
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Island chain gets Anabaptist link
La Laguna, Canary Islands – The green garage doors are unmarked, and there are no windows. The only hints of a church on the other side are the Sunday sounds of charismatic prayers and songs of praise. Well, that, and also the lives changed by the many ministries taking place the rest of the week,…
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Young adults learn to love God and others through cross-cultural service
Uganda — Among the many memories that Shammah Nakawesi of Uganda brings home from her one-year service assignment in Indonesia is her new understanding of loving God and others. “Even in the uncertainties of life, loving God and loving others is all that matters,” says Nakawesi, who served as an English teacher and community worker…
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Ecuador ministry partners reunite
Quito, Ecuador and Bogota, Colombia – A reunion of the “Ecuador Partnership” brought together Mennonites from Ecuador, Colombia and the United States for March 2013 visits in both Ecuador and Colombia. The partnership includes from Iglesia Christiana Menonita de Colombia (Colombian Mennonite Church), Central Plains Conference of Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite Mission Network. For…