What do you gain from meeting with fellow believers from different countries, but in the same vicinity?
“Beyond participating in programs, people find that the most memorable time in regional gatherings is the bonding that takes place,” says Miekje Hoffscholte-Spoelder, chairperson of the board of the Dutch Mennonite conference. “We make new friends and re-unite with old friends. We connect with fellow believers who are not always of the same opinion and background as us.”
Building friendships and growing relationships is a feature of regional gatherings. Many are self-organized by groups within the region, many of whom are Mennonite World Conference members. For MWC’s regional representatives, this is a great opportunity to meet with many leaders at once.
“We have so much to learn from each other as we continue living out unity,” says Bruce Campbell-Janz, Communications and Engagement director for MWC.
Europe
European Mennonite churches will meet in the Netherlands on 14-17 May 2026 for their regional gathering CMERK* (formerly MERK). Originating in 1972 and planned as a one-time event, it has grown into a sort of mini Assembly between MWC global Assemblies where Mennonites in Europe share theological ideas, find common ground and exchange the gifts they can offer to the regional Mennonite communion.
Miekje Hoffscholte-Spoelder adds: “My husband and I had the privilege to attend the global Assembly in Indonesia in 2022, but such a trip is not possible for everyone. It is important that we get to know our Mennonite neighbours; worship and pray together; and discuss urgent topics including the role of churches in accompanying migrants in Europe.”
Members of Mennonite World Conference’s commissions will meet at Mennorode in the Netherlands, just prior to CMERK so they can join the regional gathering afterward. In-person gatherings build the relationships that undergird the work they do year-round through online meetings and text communication.
Latin America & Caribbean
Anabaptist churches from 16 countries in Latin America gathered in Peru in January 2025 to commemorate 500 years of Anabaptism.
“This has been a precious time for thinking about the fathers and mothers who showed us the way with their trails of blood, sweat and tears, and a commitment to follow Christ Jesus,” says Jaime Prieto, Anabaptist theologian and historian from Costa Rica.
“For me, what mattered most was meeting with people from different cultural backgrounds…. We brought to light problems, solutions, and, above all else, important topics for our life in community – always with our Anabaptist principles as the foundation of our reflections,” said Yuri De Araújo of Brazil, one of several participants on YAMEN, a service program of Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite World Conference, who attended the event.
Mennonites in Central America and the Caribbean region are looking forward to CAMCA (Consulta Anabaptista Menonita de México, Centro América y el Caribe), 13–18 July 2026, at Iglesia Nacional Evangélica Menonita Guatemalteca in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Like CMERK, this event takes places every few years, drawing a large group to learn, discern and be mutually encouraged.
Asia
Regional meetings can also focus on a shared idea to deepen thinking and develop actions to live it out. Mennonite church leaders from Asia under the umbrella of Asian Anabaptist-Mennonite Education Network met to learn from each other about contextualizing Anabaptist theology for churches in Asia. Joined by mission and theology leaders from Canada and USA, they have met in Indonesia in 2024 and Thailand in 2025.
North America
And most recently, MWC organized a meeting for leaders of member churches from the United States on 6-8 January 2026. Reflecting on her time as one of the facilitators of this meeting, MWC director of communion building Janet Plenert says, “Sometimes the meetings are meaningful not because of what was decided or achieved, but because there was an environment of respectful, grace-filled sharing, and loving kindness in the midst of direct and honest conversations.
“We were vulnerable with one another, expressing kind, direct honesty. We also had substantive conversations about the issues that brought us together. We sensed that God’s Spirit was among us, and we believe that the prayers of many people contributed to that.”
Africa
“Deep within us, there is always a longing for experiencing life together. Regional meetings, whether independently organized by local churches or by MWC, provide that space to build bridges among us. Through it we learn each other’s struggles and joys, encourage one another, collaborate, and face the future together,” says Danisa Ndlovu, MWC manager of church relations.
“My region, Africa, is mostly communal in their way of life. So, while it is very diverse, in terms of culture, language, colonial histories and worldviews, regional meetings enable us to build bridges among ourselves,” he says.
A regional meeting for Africa among MWC member church leaders is being planned for 2026.