Communion building is core to the work of Mennonite World Conference, ‘a global community of faith in the Anabaptist tradition.’ “The personal relationships we build with churches in our respective regions are a pillar for MWC,” says Janet Plenert, director of communion building.
Under the MWC’s new structure, the regional representatives fall under the Communion Building department. Danisa Ndlovu was appointed manager of church relations, to supervise the regional representatives. He is well known as former president of MWC (2009-2015) and as existing regional representative for southern Africa. He served as bishop in the Brethren in Christ Church in Zimbabwe from 2000–2014.
“I am confident in Danisa’s wisdom, experience and knowledge; he will do a great job of carrying out this task,” says Janet Plenert.
“Our work involves a lot of planning: visits, contacts with church leaders. If we don’t plan, we are planning to fail. But we keep in mind that it is God who determines our steps. God makes our plans come to fruition,” says Danisa Ndlovu.
Danisa Ndlovu also represents MWC on the joint ministry council of Mennonite Central Committee’s USA and Canada boards.
New regional rep
David Chow joins the regional representatives team on 1 April 2026 to serve the 10 North American MWC member churches.
The regional representatives are responsible to develop and support relationships with MWC member, associate-member and potential-member churches, local congregations and MWC-related agencies and partners. They are a connector between the global communion and the members of a region. Serving as liaisons, they carry the joys and concerns from the churches to MWC and explain and share the resources and opportunities of the global communion with local churches.
David Chow is a Mennonite Brethren from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He felt a call to ministry from an early age and as a young adult found his spiritual home among Anabaptists. He earned a Master of Divinity at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary. David Chow and his wife Charlene served with the MB church in Japan for two years. He has served as pastor for some 22 years with a focus on building growing, intercultural congregations. He is currently pursuing a post-master’s certificate of spiritual care.
“I love the church – local and the global fellowship. Over the course of my theological studies, I firmly embraced Anabaptist beliefs and committed my life to embodying and living them out,” says David Chow.
“David is known as a natural networker and deep listener. We are confident he will apply his skills and love for the mission of God in the world to connected with our member churches in North America,” says Danisa Ndlovu, manager of church relations.
The search continues for a regional representative for Central/West Africa, after Siaka Traoré was appointed to the Officers as continental representative.
The YABs (Young AnaBaptist Committee) also operates within the Communion Building department. Africa representative Isaac Nii Torgbor Gborbitey has been appointed Young Anabaptist (YABs) coordinator beginning 1 March 2026. His role will largely be to administer, coordinate and implement the logistical details of YABs programs and events.
Isaac Gborbitey is a member of Mennonite Church Ghana. He holds a bachelor of science in biomedical science from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He has engaged in community-based research projects, is trained in project management and youth engagement, and has worked with volunteer groups and event planning.
“In his volunteer role as YABs representative for Africa, Isaac has been highly active. He has engaged with young adults groups across the region. We are pleased to benefit further from his skills and passion for serving the church as he joins the staff team,” says Ebenezer Mondez, manager of YABs (formerly YABs mentor).