{"id":8207,"date":"2024-05-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/the-power-of-hospitality-and-relationships-in-mission\/"},"modified":"2024-12-06T02:39:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T02:39:30","slug":"power-hospitality-and-relationships-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/power-hospitality-and-relationships-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"The power of hospitality and relationships in mission"},"content":{"rendered":"

In December 2023, the Integrated Mennonite Church (IMC) of the Philippines\u2019 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. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had a partnership with GITJ Mission Commission and PIPKA* (the mission agency) of GKMI since 2005,\u201d said Richard A. Rancap, IMC mission services department director. \u201cWe collaborate in training young people for mission and discipleship.  <\/p>\n

\u201cAs this training partnership continued, the leaders felt the need to also prepare pastors and church leaders who have never had the experience in another country to expand their perspective.\u201d <\/p>\n

In 2017 and 2018, GITJ sent three pastors to the Philippines, where they preached, taught, visited and prayed for the sick, and participated in school ministries and sharing their testimonies. \u201cThey also cooked us Indonesian food!\u201d said Richard Rancap. <\/p>\n

Visiting the Philippines broadened their perspective about faith, life and the mission of the church, the pastors say. There haven\u2019t been any other visits since then (due to the pandemic) until December 2023 when a group of four pastors from IMC visited GITJ and GKMI churches in Indonesia, visiting both Jakarta and some towns in Central Java. <\/p>\n

Christ-like character \"\"<\/h4>\n

In Jakarta, they stayed at the house of GKMI moderator Agus Mayanto, who is also MWC\u2019s regional representative for Southeast Asia.  <\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw how he and his wife fostered many university students from outside of Jakarta, discipling them and training them up as missional leaders while they were studying for their chosen career,\u201d Richard Rancap said.  <\/p>\n

\u201cWe also met with PIPKA leaders, who stated that discipleship is not a program, but a continuous commitment to building relationships and mentoring others where we embody Christ-like character. This was a new perspective for us.\u201d <\/p>\n

The power of hospitality <\/h4>\n

From Jakarta, the team journeyed on to Central Java, where they were hosted by several GITJ families. \u201cIt was nearing Christmas day when we got there, and the weather was very hot. But the hospitality of our GITJ hosts was so refreshing. In Central Java, we really saw the impact of GITJ\u2019s hospitality, humanity and commitment to relationships on their communities,\u201d Braian Carasco said. <\/p>\n

To begin with, Bishop Jomedes Eusebio noticed the Christmas celebrations were open to people of all faiths. \u201cSometimes the Christmas event was held outside of the church to cater for more people.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIn one instance, a community elder who doesn\u2019t usually talk or greet the Christian minority was invited to the church to light a peace candle during a Christmas event. He showed up and participated, and afterwards he said to the church pastor that he was happy to have participated in an event filled with songs, dances, delicious food and sermon. That night, everyone went home with a joyful heart,\u201d said Richard Rancap. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe felt that GITJ\u2019s relationship with their neighbours is an example of Jesus\u2019  prayer, \u2018that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me\u2019 (John 17:21),\u201d said Bishop Rufino Mateo. <\/p>\n

He says the life of the church extends beyond the church building and into the community. \u201cThey live their lives with humility, in harmony with others.\u201d <\/p>\n

Partnership is the way forward \"\"<\/h4>\n

Upon the return, Richard Rancap commented, \u201cWe realize we are a small church conference. But we have a role in fulfilling the Great Commission \u2013 we have a gift, and other churches have different gifts. The best way to move forward is in partnership with others, as in Romans 1:12 (ESV), \u2018that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other\u2019s faith, both yours and mine.\u2019 In walking with others, we learn each other\u2019s best practices and our burdens become lighter.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cWe also learn by visiting other churches that God works in so many ways. We learn to put aside our pride and listen to new ideas. Both GITJ and GKMI showed us that as followers of Christ, they humbled themselves and serve others in their communities, just like Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. It was a moving experience,\u201d said Richard Rancap. <\/p>\n

* PIPKA (Pekabaran Injil dan Pelayanan Kasih) <\/p>\n

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*Today, there are three Anabaptist-Mennonite groups in Indonesia: <\/strong><\/p>\n