Changes on regional representatives team
“I have witnessed firsthand the power of ‘Living out Unity’ amid diverse communities and the constant need for “Building Peace” through dialogue and understanding,” says Vikal Pravin Rao, incoming regional representative for South Asia.
MWC’s regional representatives are part-time volunteers who develop and support relationships with MWC member, associate-member and potential-member churches; local congregations; and MWC-related agencies and partners. This year sees several changes in the regional representatives’ team.
“Our regional representatives provide a vital link between the work of Mennonite World Conference and that of our member churches around the world,” says César García, General Secretary. “These leaders have a keen knowledge of the churches in their region. They work at deepening these relationships so we can share gifts even more profoundly within MWC.”
Regional representatives not only explain Mennonite World Conference to national churches but also carry the concerns of national churches to the global family through MWC.
After more than a decade of service, Cynthia Peacock has retired from her role as regional representative for South Asia.
“Cynthia has exemplified the work of a regional representative since the inception of the role. She has persistently met with church leaders, listening carefully and wisely to many challenges of the churches, and encouraging leaders to follow Jesus, build peace and live in unity” says Janet Plenert, regional representatives’ coordinator.
Read more “I became a Mennonite in my heart”
Vikal Pravin Rao is finishing his term as executive secretary for Mennonite Church India 30 November 2025. He will begin his service as regional representative in December 2025. He and his wife Roopam Rao have one son and one daughter-in-law.
Vikal Pravin Rao was the representative for Asia for the first Global Youth Summit in Zimbabwe in 2003. Having worked on the team of global servants (young leaders) who helped to organize the Global Church Village for the Assembly in India in 1997, he coordinated the immersive display experience for the Pennsylvania Assembly in the USA in 2015. He has just completed a term on the Deacons Commission (2018-2025).
“My work with the Deacons Commission, accompanying Mrs. Cynthia Peacock on visits to MWC member churches in India and Nepal, has further solidified my commitment to these principles (MWC’s tagline). I believe my ability to connect with various groups, understand local challenges and promote collaborative solutions will be invaluable in strengthening MWC’s presence and impact in South Asia, all while ‘Following Jesus’ as our guiding light,” he says.
Two other regional representatives have completed their service. Gerald Hildebrand, a long-time pastor in the Mennonite Brethren denomination in Canada retired as MWC regional representative for North America in June after the General Council meetings in Germany. He had served since the General Council meetings in Kenya in 2018.
“Gerald is a pastor at heart and brought that heart to his work. Navigating the sometimes fractious relationships between North American denominations, he came as a peaceful, patient and listening presence” says Janet Plenert.
Cynthia Dück who co-represented the large South Cone (Cono Sur) region of Latin America has also completed her term, begun just before the Indonesia Assembly. The trained nurse and Mennonite Brethren church member had previously served as a lodging coordinator for the global Assembly in Paraguay in 2009.
“Cynthia brought youthful energy and social media savvy along with her multilingual ability (English, Spanish and German). Her drive forged new paths of connection with churches in the region,” says Freddy Barrón, who jointly serves the Southern Cone region with Cynthia.
“We are grateful for these faithful servants who bring their wisdom and experience to build the global church as regional representatives. We know that each one will continue to follow Jesus, live out unity and build peace in the next chapter of their lives,” says César García, MWC general secretary.