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Music opens window to Anabaptist worship across cultures
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…
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GAMEO takes multilingual focus
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…
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One body with many faces
“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 …
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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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Young adults will be Empowered by Love
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…
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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 Anabaptist-Mennonites 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…
