Mennonite World Conference lives out unity through relationships. There have been some changes to the faces that help develop these relationships, through regional representatives and communications.  

Regional representative coordinator 

Janet Plenert has taken on the half-time role of regional representative coordinator beginning in July 2024. An experienced global leader, Janet Plenert was part of the coordinating committee of MWC’s Global Mission Fellowship (GMF) from 2003-2009, GMF chair from 2006-2009, MWC vice-president from 2009-2015, and since 2020 has been part of a team of volunteer development consultants for MWC.  

Serving with Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Church, she has lived in DR Congo, Brazil and Bolivia. 

“I find joy in learning to know people cross culturally and finding ways to connect people together who otherwise wouldn’t find common ground,” says Janet Plenert. “In today’s divided and suspicious world, serving the global church gives me hope that the church will rise up and be the unifying, peace-inducing presence that God desires. As Anabaptists, we need to lead the way in living in unity and building peace while we each (and together) follow Jesus.” 

After 12 years of working with Mennonite World Conference, Arli Klassen has retired. In July 2015, she began providing leadership for MWC’s regional representatives as their coordinator, which she continued until June 2024. She also served as MWC chief development officer from October 2012 until January 2020.  

“It is only when we have that exposure to each other as Anabaptist brothers and sisters around the world that we can experience and grow in our own understanding and experience of the love of God,” says Arli Klassen. “That is what I wish for and hope for all of our member churches around the world.” 

“We are extremely thankful for Arli’s work with MWC over the years. She has laid a strong foundation for the ministry of our regional representatives. Now, Janet will bring her expertise and experiences to the role. We believe the regional representatives’ will advance their service to the global church,” says César García MWC general secretary. 

Communications team 

Also, in July 2024 MWC welcomed back Kristina Toews in her role as chief communications officer, after her maternity leave. Elina Ciptadi, who served as interim chief communications officer, moved into a temporary role as project coordinator, on the Communications team. She is coordinating special projects for the General Council meeting in 2025. 

“I am encouraged to see all of the ongoing work of the MWC Communications team to help us live out unity together. I’m thankful for the leadership Elina has provided for the Communications team this past year and that she continues to bless our work with her experience in project coordination,” says Kristina Toews.