{"id":126994,"date":"2026-04-21T10:55:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/?p=126994"},"modified":"2026-04-21T10:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:55:19","slug":"carrying-burdens-through-testimony-and-prayer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/carrying-burdens-through-testimony-and-prayer\/","title":{"rendered":"Carrying\u00a0burdens through testimony\u00a0and prayer\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global Mennonite gathering in the Philippines highlights solidarity,&nbsp;faith&nbsp;and shared witness&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearly 300&nbsp;participants from&nbsp;more than a dozen<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>countries gathered in the historic town plaza of&nbsp;Lumban&nbsp;on&nbsp;14\u202fMarch\u202f2026,&nbsp;for the 9th annual Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Renewal event. Centred on the theme&nbsp;<em>\u201c<\/em>Solidarity in the Family of Christ: Sharing Burdens, Sharing Hopes,\u201d the gathering&nbsp;underscored the call&nbsp;to \u201ccarry each other\u2019s burdens\u201d&nbsp;(Galatians 6:2\u201310).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Renewal event brought together members of the Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines (IMC), MWC\u2019s&nbsp;Executive Committee and the Young&nbsp;AnaBaptists&nbsp;(YABs)&nbsp;Committee members.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through worship, testimonies, cultural expression and prayer, participants&nbsp;witnessed&nbsp;to unity, resilience and mutual care across cultures and continents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bayanihan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-flickr wp-block-embed-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div style=\"top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;\">\t\t\t\t<iframe title=\"20260314KristinaToewsIMG_2085\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;\"  data-src=\"https:\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/photos\/55207853170\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A highlight of the opening ceremony was a symbolic procession featuring a traditional nipa hut (<em>bahay&nbsp;kubo<\/em>),&nbsp;representing&nbsp;the Filipino value of&nbsp;<em>bayanihan<\/em>. This cultural practice&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;where neighbours work together to move a home in times of need&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;served as a vivid metaphor for the gathering\u2019s theme.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rooted in unity, compassion (<em>malasakit<\/em>)&nbsp;and cooperation,&nbsp;<em>Bayanihan<\/em>&nbsp;captures a defining characteristic of an Anabaptist understanding of the gospel.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGod calls us to respond with solidarity and selfless action to the needs of others in our global church,\u201d said C\u00e9sar Garc\u00eda, MWC general secretary. \u201cIn doing so, we experience <em>Bayanihan<\/em> in our family of faith and carry it into a world that longs for faithful love and enduring solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The program also celebrated the heritage of the Philippines through music and dance.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several&nbsp;church districts&nbsp;presented traditional performances&nbsp;of dance and music, joining faith with local identity. Among the featured dances was&nbsp;<em>Pandanggo&nbsp;sa&nbsp;Ilaw<\/em>, a&nbsp;folk dance&nbsp;symbolizing light in darkness, inspired by Matthew 5:14\u201316. Other performances included the&nbsp;<em>Cari\u00f1osa<\/em>, reflecting themes of love and connectedness and harvest dances celebrating&nbsp;God\u2019s&nbsp;provision through agriculture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solidarity in shared commitment<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Testimonies and prayer formed&nbsp;a central component&nbsp;of the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs I listened [to the stories of IMC pastors], I heard faith, perseverance and a deep trust in God,\u201d&nbsp;said&nbsp;Blessing Joy&nbsp;Turqueza,&nbsp;Asia representative on the&nbsp;YABs&nbsp;Committee. \u201cEven in hardship, they continue serving. Even in uncertainty, they continue trusting God to provide. And through it all, I have seen hope in the community of believers.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blessing&nbsp;Turqueza&nbsp;emphasized that solidarity within the church is not rooted in perfection, but in shared commitment. \u201cThe church carries wounds and questions,\u201d she&nbsp;said, \u201cbut we also carry something greater&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;faith, hope and the love of Christ. When we stand together as the family of Christ, supporting and encouraging one another, we begin to see God\u2019s faithfulness.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sindah&nbsp;Ngulube, a&nbsp;Brethren&nbsp;in Christ bishop from Zimbabwe,&nbsp;spoke of solidarity after&nbsp;a devastating fire at a boys\u2019 residential school. Remarkably, all the children escaped without harm. In the aftermath, the local church community mobilized quickly to provide care and begin rebuilding efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doug Klassen,&nbsp;executive minister of&nbsp;Mennonite Church Canada,&nbsp;asked for solidarity in discerning&nbsp;the Anabaptist commitment to peace&nbsp;amid&nbsp;discussions about military preparedness and potential conscription in Canada.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSeventy years ago, many Mennonites claimed conscientious objector status,Doug Klassen said. \u201cToday, we must ask ourselves what we would do. We need to learn from the witness of Mennonites in Colombia and Myanmar, who continue to embody peace in difficult contexts. The global church has much to teach us.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>IMC<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8217_FMoCZl-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-126996 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8217_FMoCZl-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8217_FMoCZl-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8217_FMoCZl-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8217_FMoCZl-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8217_FMoCZl-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/684;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8260_FMoCZl-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-127010 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8260_FMoCZl-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8260_FMoCZl-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8260_FMoCZl-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8260_FMoCZl-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8260_FMoCZl-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/684;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants were formally welcomed by IMC President Eladio&nbsp;Mondez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lumban&nbsp;Mayor Belen Raga, who both expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host an international gathering. The presence of global church leaders alongside local congregations highlighted the interconnected nature of the MWC family of churches.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Renewal gathering is part of a multi-year series of events held in different regions around the world, each designed to celebrate the shared history and diverse expressions of Anabaptist faith.&nbsp;MWC\u2019s Executive Committee members join local participants at a mass worship event where the hosts and the guests share gifts.&nbsp;In addition to worship and teaching, these gatherings provide space for storytelling, relationship-building&nbsp;and prayer for the global church.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mennonite presence in the Philippines began after World War II through relief, medical and reconstruction work led by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). In 1965, Missions Now, Inc. (MNI) was&nbsp;established&nbsp;as a Filipino-led mission organization focused on evangelism and church planting, particularly in rural and tribal communities. Following a period of internal transition, the Integrated Mennonite Church (IMC) was formed in 1991 and joined Mennonite World Conference in 1993, becoming part of the global Anabaptist family.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The offering collected at the service was&nbsp;designated&nbsp;for IMC\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/fair-share-contribution\/\" type=\"page\" id=\"64232\">Fair Share<\/a> contribution&nbsp;to MWC.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gathering concluded with shared meals and fellowship, and a renewed sense of solidarity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn worship, singing, prayer and cultural exchange we are reminded that the global church is called to bear one another\u2019s burdens,\u201d said John D. Roth, Renewal coordinator. \u201cI have been especially inspired by the energy and commitment of the young people in the IMC to witness to God\u2019s love in a fractured world. Their faith is a powerful sign of hope for the future of the church.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-flickr wp-block-embed-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<a data-flickr-embed='true' href='https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mwcmm\/albums\/72177720332736884\/' title='2026 Renewal Philippines by MWC-CMM (Mennonite World Conference), on Flickr'><img data-src='https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55167231646_50e20e254c.jpg' width='800' height='600' alt='20260314RGPhotographyRGP_8060_FMoCZl' src='data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload' style='--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/600;'><\/a><script async src='https:\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js' charset='utf-8'><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag has-link-color wp-elements-4795dccc25dd561b10d5c166c095ced0 wp-block-post-terms has-text-color has-gray-color has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/bayanihan\/\" rel=\"tag\">bayanihan<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/dance\/\" rel=\"tag\">dance<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/executive-committee\/\" rel=\"tag\">Executive Committee<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/philippines\/\" rel=\"tag\">Philippines<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/renewal\/\" rel=\"tag\">Renewal<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/solidarity\/\" rel=\"tag\">solidarity<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/tag\/yabs\/\" rel=\"tag\">YABs<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Global Mennonite gathering in the Philippines highlights solidarity,&nbsp;faith&nbsp;and shared witness&nbsp; Nearly 300&nbsp;participants from&nbsp;more than a dozen&nbsp;countries gathered in the historic town plaza of&nbsp;Lumban&nbsp;on&nbsp;14\u202fMarch\u202f2026,&nbsp;for the 9th annual Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Renewal event. Centred on the theme&nbsp;\u201cSolidarity in the Family of Christ: Sharing Burdens, Sharing Hopes,\u201d the gathering&nbsp;underscored the call&nbsp;to \u201ccarry each other\u2019s burdens\u201d&nbsp;(Galatians 6:2\u201310).&nbsp;&nbsp; The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":126980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1181],"tags":[2455,2456,217,1707,1800,1211,286],"network":[],"eventcategory":[],"class_list":["post-126994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-courier","tag-bayanihan","tag-dance","tag-executive-committee","tag-philippines","tag-renewal","tag-solidarity","tag-yabs"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Carrying\u00a0burdens through testimony\u00a0and prayer\u00a0 - Mennonite World Conference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/carrying-burdens-through-testimony-and-prayer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Carrying\u00a0burdens through testimony\u00a0and prayer\u00a0 - Mennonite World Conference\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Global Mennonite gathering in the Philippines highlights solidarity,&nbsp;faith&nbsp;and shared witness&nbsp; Nearly 300&nbsp;participants from&nbsp;more than a dozen&nbsp;countries gathered in the historic town plaza of&nbsp;Lumban&nbsp;on&nbsp;14\u202fMarch\u202f2026,&nbsp;for the 9th annual Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Renewal event. 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