From YABs to General Council: A path laid through mentorship
“The strength of the young and the wisdom of the old, the Lord wants both,” said Timo Doetsch from Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Brüdergemeinden in Deutschland (AMBD) in Germany.
He took to heart what church planter Lawrence Warkentin said to him many years ago – and so did his denominational leadership. Timo Doetsch was AMBD’s Young Anabaptist (YABs) delegate to the Global Youth Summit 2015; he became a General Council member in 2022.
Several other Young Anabaptist (YABs) delegates to MWC’s Global Youth Summit (GYS) have since become General Council members, representing their national churches in MWC’s global decision making.
Lydia Adi, 2009 YABs delegate from Jemaat Kristen Indonesia church (JKI) in Indonesia, became a General Council member in 2015. She was later appointed as a specialist to the Faith & Life Commission (2018-2025). “From GYS, I learned the importance of humility and interdependence. There were people across the world praying for each other, one even told me she had a dream about me before the event,” she said.
“Through GYS I saw that God’s Spirit is boundless, working through diverse cultures and expressions of faith. God speaks and moves in ways that transcend our expectations.”
Meanwhile, Gracia Felo from Communauté des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo was a YABs delegate in 2015 and General Council member in 2022.
“While I could not come to GYS in Pennsylvania in 2015 due to visa issues, I was still touched by the fact that we were one large family scattered around the world. We are not alone. We are one people, children of one Father, despite our cultural differences,” he said.
“And as an Anabaptist, our shared values are universal and intercultural. This shaped my thinking as I serve through the church going forward.”
Intentional mentoring
Intentionality in empowering young leaders formed part of each story.
CEFMC has put in place a system for mentoring and training young people in leadership. Practices include a regular exchange program for young people from different provinces and training to build the leadership capacity of young people at local and national levels.
“All these practices enable us to have young people who are very committed to the church,” said Rev. Antoine Kimbila, legal representative of CEFMC.
“Young people bring courage and strength, as well as technological skills,” said Gracia Felo, “By contributing to the church’ operations today, we learn how to better manage the church tomorrow when we are called to bigger responsibilities.”
“Young people are the strength of the church, and also its future. If they know nothing about what the church is doing today, how can they help the church grow now, and how can they make good decisions for the church tomorrow?” said Rev. Antoine Kimbila.
Lydia Adi concurred. “Looking back, I can see that JKI intentionally created space for young people to serve, fail forward, and grow. In our national church, young people have contributed significantly by developing a digital database and archiving system, revising important government documentation, and finding new ways to steward church finances with greater integrity and efficiency. Young people were never treated merely as helpers to fill a role; they were seen as disciples and leaders in the making.”
Generations serving together
Be it at local church or at our global communion, these General Council delegates state the importance of different generations partnering to extend the kingdom of God. “Generations serving together, not one after another,” Lydia Adi said.
“On an institutional level, an experienced leader might invite a young person to attend leader’s meetings: the first time, the young person observes. The second time, the young person assists with a task. The third time, the young person does the task while the leader assists. Finally, the young person participates fully while the mentor observes,” Timo Doetsch said, “And even as we are serving the Lord now, we should be looking for our successors and train them too.”
“Just like in Luke 10:1-3 where Jesus prepared his apostles by sending them two by two to proclaim the good news and cast evil spirits,” said Gracia Felo.
Speaking to church leaders in MWC, Lydia Adi said, “You are the best person to reach your generation – and the next.”
To the young people within MWC: “You can reach people that your elders cannot. Your generation and the one after you need you to rise up to your call, to lead with integrity, creativity and conviction. When empowered, equipped and mentored, leaders younger than you don’t just follow your vision – they expand it, ensuring that God’s mission continues and grows from generation to generation.”
