Stories

Arli Klassen appointed to fundraising role with Mennonite World Conference

Kitchener, Ontario—Arli Klassen of Kitchener, Ontario began serving as Development Manager for Mennonite World Conference (MWC) beginning October 1, 2012. Until May or June of 2013, she will work half time with responsibilities for MWC fundraising... Lees meer

North American volume in Global History Series now available

The North American Mennonite history, the fifth and final volume in the Global Mennonite History Series, was released in late September 2012. Seeking Places of Peace by Royden Loewen and Steven M. Nolt, completes the Mennonite World Conference... Lees meer

Congolese Mennonites celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness and partnership

In 100 years, the Communauté Mennonite au Congo has thrived, growing to include 110,000 members, 798 congregations, 95 schools and seven hospitals. Tshikapa, Democratic Republic of Congo—Fifty-some young musicians walked nearly 160... Lees meer

Global Anabaptism: an X-ray of the body

In collaboration with Mennonite World Conference, the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism at Goshen (Indiana, USA) College is launching a two-part research initiative. Combining data and personal stories, organizers hope to develop a more... Lees meer

European Mennonites inspired to reach across borders at ninth Regional Conference

Sumiswald, Switzerland – Every six years, Mennonites in Europe gather for their regional assembly known as the Mennonite European Regional Conference (MERK). This year’s meeting, held from May 17 to 20, preceded the meetings of the Mennonite World... Lees meer

200,000 newly displaced by conflict in eastern Congo

Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Rukimba Furaha fled her home and fields in the village of Kabuya in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), out of fear for the safety of her eight children. Her husband had left... Lees meer

Congolese Football and Song

Nyanga, Democratic Republic of Congo – When a Belgian school inspector needed to recruit singers for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, he entrusted the task to two missionary women, one of whom was Lodema Short. Short served from 1947–1981with... Lees meer

Growth of women’s theological networks celebrated

“Like an infectious laugh that spreads throughout a room full of people, one after another, theological networks have been formed by Anabaptist women in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe,” reports Ruth Guengerich, co-director of Mennonite Women... Lees meer

Advisory council prepares for privilege of hosting world assembly; approves $850,000 fundraising goal for 2015 event

Lancaster, PA—Both the welcome anticipation and the challenges of hosting the next Mennonite World Conference Assembly were evident in the meeting of the National Advisory Council held here March 22-23. Council members, who represent the four... Lees meer

MWC General Council sets stage to deepen global relations and strengthen Anabaptist identity

Bettingen, Switzerland —Swiss Mennonite historian Hanspeter Jecker stood on the bank of the Limmat River in Zurich, Switzerland, near the site where Anabaptist martyr Felix Manz was drowned. He was speaking passionately to a group of international... Lees meer

Regional workshops lay foundation for MWC Africa Caucus

Kinshasa, DR Congo—Two separate meetings of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Africa representatives occurred on successive weekends at the end of October and early November 2011 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Together they marked the “... Lees meer

Honduran pastor murdered; church asks for prayer

On Sunday, January 22, Rafael Erasmo Arevalo, a Mennonite pastor in Honduras, was attacked and killed after leading an evening worship service. Arevalo, from Santa Rosa de Copán, drove about 20 kilometres north to Veracruz, where he had led worship... Lees meer

Nelson Kraybill chosen as President-elect of Mennonite World Conference

After the General Council selected J. Nelson Kraybill (second from left) as MWC President-elect, the MWC officers—President Danisa Ndlovu (left) and Vice-president Janet Plenert (right), along with representatives from North American MWC churches... Lees meer

Straddling Lao PDR and Zimbabwe

Vientiane, Lao PDR -- Godswill Muzarabani grew up straddling two cultures in Zimbabwe. His father was from the majority ethnic group, Shona, and his mother was Ndebele, the minority ethnic group – classifications that have led to violence between... Lees meer

Warmth, Honesty Mark Mennonite-Adventist Dialogue

Liestal, Switzerland—Representatives of Mennonite World Conference and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists met in dialogue May 28-31 at the Bienenberg Study and Conference Center in Liestal, Switzerland. The four days of conversation... Lees meer

Kenyan Mennonites make history by writing it

Nairobi, Kenya – Nine Kenyan delegates and three editors gathered together at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi the last week in January. Their task: to proof the manuscript of a history of the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC), a Mennonite World... Lees meer

Aid to residents of temporary housing a focus of relief assistance in Japan

Japan—Assistance to residents of temporary housing is one way that Japan Mennonite Fellowship is focusing its ongoing work of relief assistance following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. By the end of December, many shelters had closed and... Lees meer

Anne Zernike Fund marks centenary of first ordination of female pastor in the Netherlands

Netherlands—On November 6, 2011, the Anne Zernike Fund was established in honour of the first Mennonite female pastor in the Netherlands to mark the centenary of her ordination on November 5, 1911. She was also the first female pastor ordained in... Lees meer

Colombian Anabaptist churches request prayer for victims, perpetrators and peacemakers

Bogotá, Colombia—On Sunday, April 15, some Colombian Anabaptist churches ask congregations in their own country and beyond to worship, pray and reflect for the victims, perpetrators and peacemakers related to conflict in their country. The... Lees meer

Seminars encourage spiritual renewal–and much more–in Burkina Faso

Orodara, Burkina Faso – During the second week of February, more than 100 Mennonite women had the time of their lives in Orodara, Burkina Faso. The Eglise Evangélique Mennonite du Burkina Faso annual women’s seminar combines adult continuing... Lees meer