Over the course of its 100-year history Mennonite World Conference has gone through many changes. As a living organization it continues to grow and change.
“Organizational structures need to be flexible and adapt to changes if they want to be effective in their mission,” says César García, general secretary. “It has become clear that the staff structure we established in 2012 is no longer sufficient to ensure MWC fulfills its mission. As MWC grows, a new structure is necessary to ensure we remain healthy.”
In 2026, the MWC team consists of 19 FTE staff positions, representing 29 people in 13 countries, and 15 staff-level volunteers in 15 countries.
These global servants are dedicated to supporting MWC in its calling to be a communion (Koinonia) of Anabaptist-related churches linked to one another in a worldwide community of faith for fellowship, worship, service and witness. MWC is facilitating relationships between Anabaptist churches in deeper ways, supporting church leaders through General Council meetings, the work of the Commissions and resources for all our churches.
At the end of 2025, MWC staff implemented a new staff organizational structure. The senior staff team designed it over the past 1.5 years with support from Credence & Co., an organizational health and change management consulting company with Mennonite faith roots.
The General Secretary continues to lead the entire MWC team, which is now structured into four departments: Operations, Communications & Engagement, Commissions and Communion Building.
Each department is led by a director, who joins the general secretary to form the staff leadership team. They are supported by managers and secretaries in the departments, who form the senior team.
The different departments manage:
- Operations department: finances, administration and employee services.
- Communications & Engagement department: MWC’s public communications and fundraising efforts.
- Commissions department: the work of the four Commissions, Global Anabaptist Networks and the Creation Care Task Force.
- Communion Building department: events, church relations (including regional representatives) and the YABs network.
Together, the four departments carry out all aspects of MWC’s vision and mission, from the logistics and programs to the ethos and relationships that are at the heart of the organization.
“Collaboration among departments is essential for the body to function efficiently and faithfully. Each area contributes unique strengths and perspectives, and when they work together in mutual respect and shared purpose, the whole organization thrives,” says Jeanette Bissoon, director of Operations.
“Rather than a top-down structure, MWC operates as a circle of partnership; where communication, trust and shared discernment guide our common work in service to the global Anabaptist family,” says Janet Plenert, director of Communion Building.
Click here to see the details of the restructured MWC team.