Stories

Assembly 17 in Indonesia available to more participants through hybrid format

Following the decision to offer the 2022 Assembly in Indonesia as a hybrid event, the Program Committee members and Assembly staff are now re-imagining the event and its additional online opportunities. “The goal remains the same: to give every... more/más/suite

A fresh wind of the Spirit

A “great multitude...from all tribes and peoples and languages” worship around the throne of God (Revelation 7). That vision aptly describes Mennonite World Conference. But it stands against a backdrop of disaster that feels too familiar today... more/más/suite

Devotional written by women for women

In the face of the pandemic’s challenges, “we can sit around waiting, full of fear in the face of the reality we are surrounded by, or we can take advantage of the flexible time and use it as an opening to be creative and productive,” says Mary Cano... more/más/suite

Fellowship is stronger than lockdowns

“Together on [Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday], we feel connected to our brothers and sisters all over the world,” says Jannie Nijwening, pastor at Doopsgezind Gemeente Zaanstreek in the Netherlands. Around the globe, congregations in the... more/más/suite

Chief Operations Officer leaves for other pastures

“Over the last two years, I have felt God’s leading toward full-time pastoral ministry and I am excited to have this opportunity now,” says Len Rempel. Len Rempel will complete his service with Mennonite World Conference as Chief Operations Officer... more/más/suite

MWC continues pastoral response to COVID-19

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, stories poured in from MWC member churches about job loss and hunger in their congregations and communities due to shut downs. Mennonite World Conference began collecting funds to respond to pandemic-... more/más/suite

Ministry partner update: ICOMB – February 2021

The church in Angola prepares for leadership transition Jean-Claude Ambeke is the current president of Igreja Evangelica dos Irmaos Menonitas en Angola (IEIMA) – the MB conference in Angola. His term expires in June 2021. Jean-Claude has worked hard... more/más/suite

Following a missionary God

Like the chambers of a heart, the four MWC commissions serve the global community of Anabaptist-related churches, in the areas of Deacons, Faith and Life, Peace, Mission. Commissions prepare materials for consideration by the General Council, give... more/más/suite

Invite an MWC speaker

“I very much appreciate having guests who can bring their experience and theological perspectives to help broaden my faith and understanding of being a global community,” says Greg Jantzi, pastor of Nith Valley Mennonite Church, New Hamburg, Ontario... more/más/suite

Assembly team crosses pandemic barriers

“For many, attending Assembly is a life-changing encounter with the global Anabaptist family,” says Elina Ciptadi, a member of the GKMI national church and former chair of AMIGOS (the predecessor of the YABs Committee [Young Anabaptists]). “Assembly... more/más/suite

Hurricanes wreak havoc in Central America

Climate impacts What resources on creation care would be most useful? The recently formed Creation Care Task Force (CCTF) of Mennonite World Conference asked this in a survey of Anabaptists around the world. Many respondents wanted to learn more... more/más/suite

New ways of learning for a new time

Nindyo Sasongko believes theology should be publicly available to a wider audience. His experiment in online discussions began in November 2018; when the pandemic hit, “Theovlogy” increased in frequency to meet the demand for online means of... more/más/suite

Liturgies for gathering and benediction

Gathering/opening Leader: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I welcome you, our sisters and brothers in this time of worship. People: It is a joy to be together in God’s house. Leader: We raise our voices with a heart full of earnest longing... more/más/suite

Ministry partner update: ICOMB – January 2021

The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 21 national churches in 19 countries with approximately 450,000 members. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its... more/más/suite

7 tips for creating engaging online events

Gathering in person was limited or restricted around the world in 2020. Many congregations moved their services online, using this virtual means of connection. These trends will continue in 2021 and beyond. In-person events provide many small ways... more/más/suite

What you read in 2020

In 2020, Mennonite World Conference unveiled a newly designed website with simpler menus and mobile-friendly display. You, our members, were interested in news on Assembly this year, and there was a lot of it – including in Indonesian: “ MWC shifts... more/más/suite

Captivated by the stories

“The [MWC Assembly] workshops provided a very rare opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to meet and share their stories and experiences of the great things God has accomplished through their ministries,” says Francis Ojwang, a church... more/más/suite

Celebrate AWFS with online prayer

“Apart and together, we meet in prayer as a global Anabaptist family to encourage each other and share burdens,” says Arli Klassen, regional representatives coordinator. “This year, we offer a special invitation to gather online to participate in a... more/más/suite

Executive Committee approves expansion plan

“God has anointed us to bring good news to the broken-hearted…and proclaim the year of God’s favour,” says J. Nelson Kraybill, MWC president, quoting Isaiah 61:1-4. “The past 10 months of COVID-19 have been disorienting,” he says, but notes how the... more/más/suite

Hong Kong fears for religious freedom

Over the past year, Hong Kong has undergone tremendous political changes. The police crackdowns have been repeated one after another. How should the church manage in these times? How should believers deal with this? When I was growing up, I thought... more/más/suite