Celebrate, equip, worship: 500 years of Anabaptism
Churches around the world are marking the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism with lectures, hymn sings and even regional events.
MWC member church Iglesia Evangélica Menonita del Perú hosted “Celebrar, equipar, adorar” in Cusco, Peru 18-22 January 2025 to mark 500 years of Anabaptism.
Church members gathered for the event from 16 countries across the Americas . Indigenous congregations from Peru and Ecuador participated. Mennonite World Conference regional representatives, general secretary César García, and Peace Commission secretary Andrew Suderman also attended.
Featured speakers for the South American encounter event were Jaime Prieto, theologian and historian from Costa Rica; Alix Lozano, theologian and pastor from Colombia; and C. Arnold Snyder, historian from Canada.
“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.
Attendees and organizers evidenced the reach of the gospel and Anabaptist identity into indigenous communities, especially in Peru and Ecuador. They gained a deeper understanding of Anabaptism and also a perspective on its diversity even within one region with largely the same language.
Two young people on YAMEN service (a joint program with MWC and Mennonite Central) “These 500 years are backed by a difficult history; people suffered for the Gospel but this did not stop the Word of God penetrating the emptiness,” said Vilma Pop of Guatemala.
“For me, what mattered most was meeting with people from different cultural backgrounds to remember the start and observe the changes that have occurred across time. 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.
A peace summit and a women’s meeting (MTAL) followed the anniversary event. MTAL (Movimiento de Mujeres Anabautistas Haciendo Teología desde América Latina) is a network of women Anabaptist theologians that emerged after the MWC Assembly in Zimbabwe in 2003.
How is the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism being observed in your region? Send us your photos and testimonies about renewing your commitments to the gospel in this tradition.
