Join in prayer for the global family
“Prayer has been our spinning wheel. Thanks to the global church for the resilience in your prayers. It is encouraging to know that someone somewhere in the globe is reporting your issues to God,” says Okoth Simon Onyango, Mennonite Church Uganda, bishop.
The members of Mennonite World Conference follow Jesus, live out unity and build peace in our global family through prayer, among other activities.
As we approach the commemoration event for the 500th anniversary of our movement, MWC calls on its members around the world to pray with and for us. The day of remembrance and reconciliation will be preceded by the triennial meetings of the General Council.
Please pray with us:
- 500 years ago, courageous men and women defied the powers in their society to follow their convictions as they understood Scripture in new ways. In the birthplace of Anabaptism, this faith continues to be nurtured through our churches. Pray for new ways for members to live out the courage to love, to share the Spirit of God with others.
- Pray for safety, smooth connections and God-appointed conversations with strangers as the General Council delegates travel, some for days, to reach the meetings.
- Pray for the many delegates who will represent their member church for the first time. May they receive a welcoming embrace from the global family. May they depart with new friendships that further their understanding of the reign of God.
- Pray that delegates would willingly practice unity in the body of Christ even as they encounter difference and disagreement. May the diversity of the family of God renew our faith and increase our vision for a common witness.
- Pray that delegates would build a common mind as they process decisions using the consensus process. May there be courage and truth at each step of the process.
- Pray for the seeds that will be planted through the course of the gathering, both of General Council and of Global Youth Summit. May the relationships built, the collaborations established and the understandings deepened give glory to God for a maturing church living out unity.
- Pray that this global gathering of Anabaptists would leave behind the aroma of Christ. As we follow Jesus to, at and beyond these events, may our presence impact those we encounter and the spaces we leave behind with a vision of shalom.
- Praise God for the gifts each member brings to share: wisdom, experience, love and also financial support, each according to their ability under the Fair Share policy.
You can also join us in real time for Online Prayer Hour, a one-hour Zoom meeting in small groups by language. The meeting 16 May 2025 will open with a short presentation from Executive Committee member Doug Klassen. He will share a pastoral letter to Canadian church members on practicing hospitality after the federal election.
The General Council is composed of representatives of each member church, appointed for a six-year, renewable term.
General Council delegates establish policies, approve program plans and financial projections for MWC. They consider recommendations brought from any part of the MWC community, such as statements prepared by the Commissions. And they determine membership guidelines and review decisions on new members and participants.
The responsibilities of General Council delegates include being an exemplary member of an MWC member church and representing the concerns of the member church to MWC and communicating the activities and needs of the wider MWC family to the member church.