Prayers of gratitude and intercession

  • In the Democratic Republic of Congo, lack of vaccination is a problem. Even before COVID-19, a measles outbreak took more than 40 children in 2019 in Kikwit, a city of some 500,000 people, and host to a growing number of internally displaced persons. But the church is not silent. 

    Last August, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) called on members to Love neighbours: share vaccines. Although the equitable rollout of COVID-19 vaccination is still a global concern, the focus has shifted to strengthening vulnerable health care systems. 

    MWC invites members to love neighbours through four Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) projects. These health care efforts are supported by MWC member churches in Kenya and DR Congo. One supports health care centres owned by Communauté des Eglises de Frères Mennonites au Congo (CEFMC), the Mennonite Brethren church. 

    CEFMC proclaims the gospel beyond the church walls through medical care. Although the government pays the medical staff salaries, CEFMC runs the operations at four hospitals and 10 health centres in the central African country.  

    Through these church-run health facilities, an MCC-funded project aims to inform households – of displaced people and church members – of the hygiene measures enacted by the World Health Organization to combat COVID-19 through door-to-door distribution of hygiene kits.  

    The project provides free quality medical consultations and care to internally displaced persons. After fleeing violence in Kasai, they are particularly vulnerable to health problems. MCC’s project also provides capacity building training in peace, trauma and humanitarian principles for hospital staff. 

    CEFMC has a local relief committee that serves as an intermediary between CEFMC and the Kanzombi hospital. This committee has received training from MCC on humanitarian assistance. The committee is made up of the hospital’s physician, Dr. Jacques Tangudiki, members of the host community, and internally displaced persons. 

    “The extraordinary threat wealthy countries experienced from COVID-19 is an every-day realty for many people in regions with weak health care systems and lacking basic vaccination programs. The pandemic’s focus public health provides opportunity to strengthen general health care and vaccination programs in poorer regions of the world,” says Henk Stenvers, MWC Deacons Commission secretary.  

    Click here for more on Love Neighbours: Share Vaccines 

    Click here to donate to MCC’s four MWC member church projects 

  • Everyone can travel to Indonesia for this year’s Mennonite World Conference hybrid Assembly. Around 1250 will do so in person, while thousands of others will visit Indonesia through screens. 

    Through a daily “Panorama Indonesia” presentation, participants follow Jesus across barriers by sampling the multifaceted ministry activities of three host synods.* 

    Each Assembly plenary session opens with a period of singing. An international ensemble choir and local band lead singing from the international songbook, compiled anew for each Assembly. “Participants will recognize old favourites and learn new ones,” says Benjamin Bergey, Assembly 17 music coordinator. (Click here to learn more) 

    Inspiring speakers from each continental region – including Young AnaBaptist leaders – will teach on the daily themes. (Click here to see morning and evening speakers ) 

    In the morning sessions, one of the four MWC Commissions will discuss their work of breaking barriers and building communion among Anabaptist-Mennonites across the world. 

    The evening sessions will be hosted at a different location each night. “This way, online participants can ‘travel’ around Java, seeing the local church gathered in worship,” says Liesa Unger, chief international events officer. (Click here to learn about the host congregations).

    • Delegates from the Global Youth Summit will share how they learned, served and worshipped through “Life in the Spirit.” 
    • President-elect Henk Stenvers from the Netherlands will be introduced. 
    • Representatives of Meserete Kristos Church will extend the invitation to the next Assembly in Ethiopia in 2028. 

    Renewal 2022 will take place at the closing celebration worship service on Sunday morning. “This series of events commemorates the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement, remembering the past, and looking ahead to how God will shape us in the future,” says John D. Roth, Faith and Life Commission secretary and Renewal 2028 coordinator. (Click here to learn about prior Renewal events).

    There are five evening worship services 5-10 July 2022 in Indonesia. These livestreams may occur at mid-afternoon or early morning in your local time, depending on location. (Click here to learn how to find Assembly sessions in your local time) 

    There are five morning plenary services 6-10 July 2022 in Indonesia. These may be livestreamed in the evening, during sleeping hours, or early in the morning where you are. (Click here to find Assembly sessions in your local time) 

    *Today, there are three Anabaptist-Mennonite groups in Indonesia:  

    • Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ – Evangelical Church in the Land of Java)  
    • Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI – Muria Christian Church of Indonesia)   
    • Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (JKI – Indonesian Christian Congregation)

     

    ambassador kit

     

  • Empowered by the Spirit

    The filling of God’s Spirit in our lives is reflected through both the maturing process by which we are transformed into Christ’s image and by the Spirit’s empowerment to proclaim Christ. The Spirit has come to testify about who Jesus is and to be a witness to his saving work in the world (John 15:26-27; 16:8-11). The Spirit also empowers Jesus’ disciples to be witnesses (Acts 1:8), testifying not only through what they say and do (Matt 10:17-20) but also through the testimony of their lives (2 Corinthians 3:2-6). 

    In the Old Testament we see the Spirit coming upon God’s people, enabling them to either act by his power or prophesy under his influence (Jud 14:6; 1 Sam 10:10-11). Similarly, God’s Spirit filled Jesus’ disciples in the early church to accomplish his purpose to proclaim Christ (Acts 2:4; 4:7-8; 4:31). The power of God’s Spirit was evident in both word and deed as well as in signs and wonders (Rom 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5). However, the power of the Spirit looks very different than worldly expressions of power – Jesus came in the weakness of human flesh yet lived by the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4). So too, it is in our own weakness that the power of God is evident through the strength of his grace and love (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

    The Spirit’s empowerment is also expressed in his gifting of all believers for the purpose of serving others and building up the church (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Spirit reveals himself through his gifting of each member of the body of Christ, which he distributes to both men and women as he chooses (1 Corinthians 12:7). There is a diversity of gifts, yet the source is the same one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4). Each gift contributes toward the Spirit’s purpose of serving and building up the church. Since the gifts are an expression of God’s grace, God’s love must be the motivation for using one’s gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). 

    Since Christ himself suffered, we should not be surprised when we also experience suffering (1 Pet 2:21; 3:17-18; 4:12-14). The presence of God’s Spirit in our lives offers us comfort and hope in the midst of our suffering and help in our weakness (Rom 8:26-30). It is in our weakness that the power of God is at work making visible the life of Jesus through us (2 Corinthians 4:7-12). 

    How have you experienced the empowerment of the Spirit this week? 

    —Doug Heidebrecht 

    ICOMB
    The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 22 national churches in 19 countries. ICOMB also has associate members in more than 20 countries, all at different points along the pathway to full membership. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding.

  • The Indonesian Assembly just got a little bit larger. The National Advisory Committee for Assembly 17 and the executive committee of MWC have decided to raise attendance numbers for the gathering in Indonesia to 1250.

    COVID-19 cases in Indonesia remain low so the Indonesian government has lifted quarantine restrictions for travellers.

    “We would love to see you in Indonesia. Please register now! It is not yet too late to make travel plans,” says Liesa Unger, chief international events officer.

    “Anyone can register until we reach the limit. Our registration team is happy to put in the extra effort to facilitate these late registrations and General Council arrangements.”

    If gathering sizes are increased later, more local participants may join the closing worship service at Holy Stadium, 10 July 2022.

    The expanded number of participants allows for the General Council to take place onsite instead of online.

    “Mennonite World Conference is a communion – that means we are in a deep, spiritual, unifying relationship with one another,” says César García, general secretary. “The discernment work of the General Council is best done where we can spend time with each other, fellowshipping not only in sessions but also over meals and in leisure outside of meetings.”

    The Commissions will also attend Assembly and hold face-to-face meetings.

    “Without a doubt, our time in Indonesia will be a blessing for our global communion,” says César García.

     

  • Millicent conceived in March 2020, just when Kenya reported the first case of COVID-19. The resident of Mathare, a poor district, was very fearful. Her neighbour Sophie, a care group volunteer with Centre for Peace and Nationhood (CPN), reached out when she realized Millicent was worried. With the support of Sophie and other CPN-trained mentors, Millicent was able to deliver her baby safely and receive post-natal support.  

    Last August, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) called on members to Love neighbours: share vaccines. Although the equitable rollout of COVID-19 vaccination is still a global concern, the focus has shifted to strengthening vulnerable health care systems. 

    MWC invites members to love neighbours through four Mennonite Central Committee projects. These health care efforts are supported by MWC member churches in Kenya and DR Congo. One is the Centre for Peace and Nationhood maternal and childcare initiative, a work of Kenya Mennonite Church.  

    Centre for Peace and Nationhood began this project when the COVID-19 pandemic had just reached Kenya.  

    Life in the informal settlements changed significantly for many project participants, and the project’s scope also shifted. Despite all these challenges, women in the care group reported significant improvement in the care for their pregnancies and children.  

    As women in the Mathare community build rapport with health care workers, they become champions within their neighbourhoods of the hygiene skills they have learned. The trust built with health care provides is also a step on a pathway to vaccination for COVID-19. The clinics also teach on COVID-19 prevention and promote vaccination. 

    Millicent can’t help but compare this child’s birth with her previous. In her first pregnancy, she was all alone. This time, despite the threats of pandemic and more, she was comforted by the support of neighbourhood women, giving care and teaching healthy practices.  

    “When mothers and babies are healthy, families and communities are healthy,” says Paul Shetler Fast, MCC global health coordinator.   

    Click here for more on Love Neighbours: Share Vaccines 

    Click here to donate to MCC’s four MWC member church projects 

  • “We come together throughout the world to sing and to make music together,” says Benjamin Bergey, Assembly 17 music coordinator. With attendees from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, “What we have [at Assembly] is an opportunity to reframe what is important about music.” 

    At this hybrid Assembly, participants who have never been able to attend Assembly before can participate in the music from their homes and local congregations and learn how sharing music can connect communities throughout the world.  

    “As the world becomes more connected, the music also becomes more shared,” says Benjamin Bergey.  

    Registrants for Assembly online receive the International Songbook which contains 40 hymns that represent music from Mennonite traditions on five continents.  

    The selection affirms and celebrates unity in the Anabaptist-Mennonite family while expressing diversity in multiple languages, highlighting new Indonesian and Asian songs to create a base of shared musical language for the years to come.  

    “By taking the time to learn someone else’s songs, we have another opportunity to make it more universal,” says Benjamin Bergey.  

    These new songs, with notation help from Anita Purwidaningsih, will be shared by the International Choir and an Indonesian band. The 10 singers come from each of the five continents represented at Assembly, and the band, under the direction of Debora Prabu, features musicians from Indonesian congregations.  

    For online participants of Assembly, Benjamin Bergey invites all to enter into the music wherever they are.  

    “For many, a part of what has been really fun has been having 8 000 voices together,” says Benjamin Bergey.  

    “The music will be very different from the Assemblies in the past, but I really do encourage people to sing from home,” he says. “Try to enter in any that way that feels right or comfortable. If you can be open and dive in with your whole being, you can always learn new things by doing things differently.” 

    • How has music shaped the ways in which you worship?  
    • How has music shaped your understanding of different cultures and expressions of faith?  

    Registering for Assembly online will give you a chance to experience both traditional and contemporary songs that form Mennonite congregations around the world as Anabaptist-Mennonites come together to worship using the unifying language of music.  

    Did you know? Registration gives you an all-access pass to Assembly.   

    Not only…. 

    • plenary speakers beamed to you from 5 different sites in Indonesia, 
    • the international choir singing old favourites and new hits, 
    • Workshops with scholars and practitioners in the Anabaptist-Mennonite family 

    but also 

    • video activities from the children and teen/youth program 
    • a small group chat room to encounter new and old friends from around the world 
    • opportunity to pray with brothers and sisters in places of challenge, suffering or joy. 

  • Nobody anticipated the pandemic barrier that would challenge Assembly plans when they chose the theme “Following Jesus together across barriers”. 

    One year later than the original date, the 17th Assembly of Mennonite World Conference takes place 5-10 July 2022 with 700 participants on-site in Indonesia and thousands of online registrants across the globe, live-streaming sessions or watching the video recordings at a more convenient hour later in the day.  

    Meet the evening speakers: 

    • Timothy J. Geddert,* professor of New Testament at Fresno Pacific University (Biblical Seminary) in California, USA, opens the event by exploring how Jesus modelled crossing barriers in Mark 7:24-30.
    • Therapist and newly minted AMBS theology graduate from France, Salomé Haldemann shares on learning together. Looking at passages from Scripture, she points at God’s passion for justice and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for Christ-followers.  
    • From Hong Kong, pastor and composer Jeremiah Choi speaks on living together within the body of Christ. Exploring passages from Scripture, he shares about unity in the body of Christ and solidarity with others.  
    • Drawing from her experience ministering among people living on the street in Costa Rica, Cindy Alpízar speaks on caring together. Stories of Jesus from the Gospels and admonishments from Romans and Colossians animate her presentation on serving one another in the name of Christ.  
    • At the final evening service, well-known speaker, author and church leader Barbara Nkala from Zimbabwe rallies participants to celebrate together. God’s reconciling Spirit that empowers barrier crossing between cultures, churches, ages, genders and more, as taught in Isaiah, John, Ephesians and 2 Corinthians.  

    “We’ve put together an exciting set of plenary sessions with Anabaptist leaders from around the world,” says Frieder Boller, plenary session coordinator. “We expect to become inspired by the Holy Spirit through various people’s insights, experiences and stories of what it means to follow Jesus. Join us!” 

    The evening sessions will air live in the afternoon in Europe and Africa, in the morning in the Americas.  

    *Note: the previously announced speaker for Tuesday evening withdrew for personal reasons.

    Click here to view a chart of times by city around the world   

    Did you know? Registration gives you an all-access pass to Assembly.   

    Not only…. 

    • plenary speakers beamed to you from 5 different sites in Indonesia, 
    • the international choir singing old favourites and new hits, 
    • Workshops with scholars and practitioners in the Anabaptist-Mennonite family 

    but also 

    • video activities from the children and teen/youth program 
    • a small group chat room to encounter new and old friends from around the world 
    • opportunity to pray with brothers and sisters in places of challenge, suffering or joy. 

     

  • Assembly plenaries set YABs and Commissions in conversation 

    “It’s remarkable that I can share,” says Ebenezer Mondez, YABs (Young AnaBaptist) committee representative for Asia. “I come from a very small church with no more than 1 000 members nationally, and from a country that always has foreign missionaries. We have always been the recipient. The Assembly made me realize that I have a gift to share too.”  

    As at the Assembly in Pennsylvania, morning worship at the Mennonite World Conference Assembly 17 in Indonesia 5-10 July 2022 bring the YAB representatives into conversation with members of MWC’s four Commissions through two plenary addresses.  

    Some 700 people will worship together with the international choir at STT Sangakala in Salatiga while thousands of online registrants tune in from around the world.  

    Under the theme “learning together,” Larissa Swartz, YAB chair and North American representative will speak on interacting with diverse faith perspectives. Faith and Life Commission member and consecrated sister in the Chemin Neuf ecumenical community Anne Cathy Graber from France will speak on discerning the will of God.  

    On “living together,” Ebenezer Mondez will speak on living through a time of crisis. Teacher and advocate Adriana Belinda Rodríguez Velasquez from Honduras will represent the Peace Commission with an address on dialogue and solidarity in diverse religious settings.  

    On “caring together,” Colombian musician and teacher Oscar Suárez will speak on care for the environment. Social entrepreneur Jose Rutilio Rivas of Colombia of the Mission Commission will speak on caring for people who are marginalized and displaced.  

    In Saturday’s sessions on “celebrating together,” environmental scientist Makadunyiswe Doublejoy Ngulube from Zimbabwe will share on intergenerational solidarity. Representing the Deacons Commission, Patrick J. Obonde of Kenya will celebrate diversity.  

    Morning plenaries also include a daily special feature on Indonesian churches. 

    Closing worship on Sunday morning (in Indonesia) includes Renewal 2022. This event forms part of a series commemorating the 500th anniversary of the beginnings of the Anabaptist movement. Plenary speaker Nindyo Sasongko, a theologian in Indonesia and USA, and member of the Creation Care Task Force, will speak at the original Assembly venue, JKI Holy Stadium in Semarang. 

    Time zone differences mean morning worship sessions will be live the previous evening in the Americas, and in the early morning in Europe and Africa.  

    Click here to view a chart of times by city around the world   

    Registration has perks: take in ALL of Assembly  

    Online attendance at Assembly 17 is so much more than a YouTube video. Registration for Assembly 17 provides an all-access pass!  

    • Take part in morning and evening sermons, greetings from ecumenical guests, worship singing with the international choir.  
    • Attend workshop presentations.  
    • Watch video activities from the children and teen/youth program.  
    • Join a chat room to converse live with brothers and sisters from around the world.  
    • Read stories and watch vlogs about the service projects, host churches in Indonesia, and attendees at Assembly 17.

    All videos and stories will remain accessible for up to one month after Assembly.  

     

  • How is the gospel being shared in Indonesia, a country with the largest Muslim population in the world? Find out as you worship together with four local congregations that will host the evening worship sessions during MWC’s Assembly 17: in Jepara, Solo, Margokerto and Ungaran. 

    “Through these satellite locations, all participants can see, hear and experience the unique worship styles found throughout Indonesia,” says Liesa Unger, MWC chief international events officer.  

    How is the good news being shared in these local communities? 

    All four pastoral teams mention the richness of the diversity found in Indonesia, a country that officially recognizes six religions. The local Mennonite churches have learned first-hand the importance of neighbours uniting.  

    • The GKMI* congregation in Solo has been working with Peacemakers Confessing Christ International (PCCI), a network of Anabaptist partners from around the world (under the coordination of Eastern Mennonite Mission USA) with a focus on Christian-Muslim relationships.  
    • In addition to creating relationships with other faith traditions, the GITJ* congregation in Jepara looks to the past for inspiration. The Mennonite community in Indonesia originates from Jepara: the first Mennonite baptism outside of Europe took place in Jepara on 16 April 1854,  
    GITJ Jepara
    GITJ Margokerto

    “The church’s vision is to be God’s family who brings prosperous peace,” say co-pastors Herodion Noto Widi Susabda and Danang Kristiawan. “This vision is realized through building relationships with other religious communities as the most real reality in Indonesia. GITJ Jepara is also a church that respects the cultural roots of its people, namely Javanese culture, and appreciates art and creativity which are the strengths of Jepara.” 

    • GITJ* Margokerto takes its place in Mennonite history as the second Mennonite “village” founded out of P.A. Jansz’s vision. 
    • Inspired by attending the Global Youth Summit in Paraguay 2009, young leaders at JKI* Maranatha Ungaran initiated an event that became Unlimited Fire, a conference that creates spaces where young people can encounter God’s love and be trained as they are plugged into local churches and communities. 

    Access to full worship sessions, workshops, music and interactive chat spaces will be exclusively available to Assembly registrants, in-person or online. 

     

    *Today, there are three Anabaptist-Mennonite groups in Indonesia: 
    • Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ –Evangelical Church in the Land of Java) 
    • Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI –Muria Christian Church of Indonesia)  
    • Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (JKI –Indonesian Christian Congregation) 

    Your registration gives you an all-access pass to Assembly.  

    Not only…. 

    • plenary speakers beamed to you from 5 different sites in Indonesia, 
    • the international choir singing old favourites and new hits, 
    • Workshops with scholars and practitioners in the Anabaptist-Mennonite family 

    but also 

    • video activities from the children and teen/youth program 
    • a small group chat room to encounter new and old friends from around the world 
    • opportunity to pray with brothers and sisters in places of challenge, suffering or joy. 

     

  • “The Mennonite World Conference Assembly is a space to learn more about our brothers and sisters from different parts of the world. Everyone, regardless of budget or vacation time, will have the opportunity to gather online to worship, fellowship and study the Bible together while learning about how Jesus invites us to overcome barriers,” says Jardely Martínez, Youth Program Coordinator.

    “This year we can learn more about the Mennonite churches from Indonesia, their culture and their worldview on community, faith and discipleship.”

    This year, when you register through the virtual hub, you receive an all-access pass to the virtual Assembly Hub. Together with your local congregation, you can have both a shared and personal experience as a part of a great cloud of witnesses.

    Here you can access live streams of the daily plenary sessions, participate in hybrid and online workshops and discussions, as well as follow Assembly on-site through short videos highlighting what is happening in each moment throughout each day. You will also be able to participate in mixed online and on-site small groups, where interpreters will facilitate conversations between languages so you can discuss with people throughout the world.

    Registered participants will have access not only to all live events, but also a database of recorded sessions that can be found in the virtual Assembly Hub. Use the information below to plan your schedule to watch and participate in all of the plenary sessions and workshops available. Reference the table below for clarification between Western Indonesian Time and your local time zone.

    • “Morning sessions” will start at 09:00 Semarang time with music from the International Choir, followed by stories from Indonesia and two speakers, ending at 11:30 Semarang time.
    • “Evening worship” will start at 19:00 Semarang time and end at 21:00 Semarang time.
    • The youth late evening program will be from 21:00 to 23:00 Semarang time.
    • Additional workshops and other interactive sessions will be offered 0:00 to 2:00 Semarang time and 6:00 to 07:30 Semarang time, to better suit participants in other time zones.

    As an Assembly registrant, you have access to all videos and articles for up to one month after Assembly has concluded.

    We encourage churches to come together for online Assembly. Please consider donating to Mennonite World Conference if you are participating in a watch party that someone else has registered for.

    What time are Assembly sessions happening where I live?
    Click here to find your local time zone.

     

  • Former MWC president Danisa Ndlovu (2003-2015) spoke with MWC about hosting the 2003 Assembly in Zimbabwe, his home country. This interview has been edited.

    “Circumstances tend not to favour expectations. You don’t choose what is happening at any given point in one’s life. Even so we remain a church.

    “For the church in Zimbabwe to see people from around the world, gathering in this one place and worshipping God together as if there were no challenges at all, it left a lasting impression. You can’t fail to hear someone hail back to that conference.

    “The Mennonite World Conference Assembly did not only affect the Brethren In Christ Church but the church in general. To this day, people speak about that conference: it was a miracle. It demonstrated what it means to be church in spite of all the challenges.

    Three major challenges for the Zimbabwe Assembly:

    • Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe.
    • The international community considered the president to be holding power illegitimately.
    • SARS outbreak in parts of Asia and North America.

    Hyperinflation

    “We carried a lot of paper that was useless. A roll of toilet paper is more valuable than the money we are carrying.”

    Only those who’d lived in Germany in the 1920s had experienced a similar situation.

    “We had to help people appreciate that this is the context in which we are living. Therefore it is good to come as brothers and sisters from around the world and be part and parcel of what we are experiencing in Zimbabwe.”

    Plan B was to meet in South Africa, but “it was not in our hearts and minds.”

    “For the global church to come see, taste, experience that, it was good. When we talk about suffering, church people can relate.”

    Politics

    “I wrote a letter to churches [who were concerned] that they were boosting the government’s authority [by coming]. No, I responded: they were being invited by Zimbabwean church – by brothers and sisters – to walk alongside the suffering church at that time.”

    “The letter was received very well.”

    Pandemic

    “Regarding SARS, our approach was ‘wait and see.’ It never ended up being an issue.”

    Today’s challenges

    “Global warming is being experienced…but while this is a challenge, we can find ways of demonstrating that we are aware of the implications. I don’t think we can stop travel: it is part of human interaction.

    Also, for me thinking about the mandate we are given (Matthew 28:19) – we must take the gospel with us. God knew we would be travelling up and down.

    “We need to find ways of dealing with the climate. However, we shouldn’t stop coming together. That is not wisdom.”

    Inequality

    “We can say to ourselves we are going to have a conference at such a place; but we may not be in control of the outcomes.”

    For the 2006 EC meetings in Pasadena, Danisa Ndlovu’s wife Trezia was denied a visa.

    “Those are the realities we live in. There are challenges, issues of prayer, issues of advocay. That does not stop us from gathering.”

    Online meetings

    “All of us do feel the pain of not coming together. We are a meeting people. Nothing replaces face-to-face meeting. Nothing replaces hugs. Nothing replaces that kind of interaction.”

    “We need to accept the circumstances, but at the same time find those things that bring joy our hearts, those things that enable us to continue to be connected.

    “On a video call, I can see your smile; I get the consolation that I am talking to you. I think it is the next best way of interaction.

    “Let’s talk, let’s share, let’s have a feeling of how each person out there feels like. Those stories are important to all of us.”

    “Challenges are not there to destroy us but to bring the best out of us.

    “In this global pandemic, God is growing all of us and maturing us. We need to listen to what God is saying and move in the centre of his will.

    “Let’s continue to rejoice together in the Lord in spite of the challenges.”

     

  • “I can see one family with a lot of members, worshipping the same Father,” says Natacha Kyendrebeogo from Burkina Faso. 

    She is one of four young people serving through YAMEN on the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Assembly team in Indonesia. YAMEN (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network) is a program that places emphasis on expanding the fellowship between churches in the Anabaptist tradition and developing young leaders around the globe.   

    All four members of the Assembly team are working on MWC’s five-day global gathering. Assembly happens once every six years, and the YAMEN members of the planning team are looking forward to being part of the community meeting of world-wide Anabaptist-Mennonites in Indonesia.  

    “The Global Church Village, the programs, the workshops: I have this whole picture of a crowd that is so joyful, doing things together,” says Loyce Twongirwe from Uganda. A filmmaker, she serves on the communications team for Assembly. 

    “I am looking forward to creating lasting friendships: getting to know each country, how people live, how they are as a congregation,” says Sunil Kadmaset from India. 

    While waiting for visas for Indonesia, Sunil Kadmaset and Ananda Mohan Murmu began to get to know the wider Anabaptist family as they served with Mennonite Christian Service Fellowship of India (MCSFI).  

    Sunil Kadmaset (from the Brethren in Christ in Cuttack, Odisha) and Ananda Mohan Murmu (from a Bharatiya Jukta Christa Prachar Mandali (BJCPM) congregation in Balarampur, West Bengal) lived among Mennonite Church India members in Chhattisgarh. They collaborated with Anabaptist-Mennonite organizations from eight national churches in India and Nepal. 

    Ananda Mohan Murmu was drawn to YAMEN after hearing from his friends who participated in MCC’s International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) and how the program had an impact on their perspective. Alongside MCSFI director Benjamin Nand, he called on gardening and peace projects and he visited churches with MWC regional representative Cynthia Peacock. “People’s joy gives me my greatest joy,” he says. 

    “We are different states, different castes, [yet] we are still as brothers and sisters,” says Sunil Kadmaset. With MCSFI, he met people who suffered from COVID-19, yet, with help from the Mennonite family and encouragement from the Spirit, they persevered. “To know each other from eight conferences – I am content with that.” 

    Natacha Kyendrebeogo also tasted the fellowship of the global family before she even left home. After a military coup in Burkina Faso, “I received a lot of mail encouragement from those who don’t know me. They pray for my country; they pray for this situation. I couldn’t image the fellowship. I enjoy the love, the encouragement,” she says. 

    As they tend their tasks, the YAMENers are spurred on by their hopes for Assembly.  

    Loyce Twongirwe, started her work from an office in Uganda, and now is with the team in Indonesia, “We are advancing videos: how to register, how to book hotels. So, when they reach event, they don’t feel lost, confused, left out,” she says. “It’s a great responsibly to us to make sure it goes perfect as we picture.” 

    “When I close my eyes, I see lots of people around me,…with people from Africa, USA, Canada, we are together, we are praising God. Between them I am in that moment, in that place, that gives me very big joy,” says Ananda Mohan Murmu. 

    YAMEN participants 

    Assembly team 

    Name

    Country of origin
    Natacha Kyendrebeogo Burkina Faso
    Sunil Kadmaset India
    Ananda Mohan Murmu India
    Loyce Twongirwe Uganda

    Other YAMENers

    Name

    Country of origin

    Country of placement

    membership church* 

    *indicates MWC member church 
    (Yolanda) Abigail Arevalo Tabora Honduras Santa Cruz, Bolivia Iglesia Evangélica Menonita* 
    Ananda Murmu India Semarang, Central Java,Indonesia United Missionary Church Balarampur (Bharatiya Jukta Christa Prachar Mandali)*
    Anupama Mandi India Olepolos, Kenya United Missionary Church Balarampur (Bharatiya Jukta Christa Prachar Mandali)*
    Beatriz Guaza Sandoval Colombia San Pedro Sula, Honduras Iglesia Cristiana Filipos (Asociación de Iglesias Hermanos Menonitas de Colombia)* 
    Charity Dralega Uganda Beit Sahour, Palestine and Israel  St Joseph’s Church of Uganda
    Disha Masih India Prey Veng, Cambodia Nazareth Mennonite Church
    Elda Antonio Garcia Mexico San Pedro Sula, Honduras

    Centro Internacional Monte de Sión (Iglesia Cristiana de Paz en México) * 
    Finna Kristanto Indonesia Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India GKMI Kudus, Mennonite* 
    Jacksha Jackson Malawi Phnom Penh, Cambodia Malovu MB Church in Malawi* 
    Jenny Keang Cambodia Barrackpore, West Bengal, India New Life Fellowship 
    Jinah Yu South Korea Prey Veng, Cambodia Jusarang Holiness Church 
    Josue Damaio Mozambique Champa, Chhattisgarh, India Union Baptist Church of Mozambique 
    Juyeong Lee South Korea Bethlehem, Palestine and Israel  Peace and Grace Mennonite Church 
    Loyce Twongirwe Uganda Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia Victory City Church Ntinda 
    Mario Hernandez Honduras Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia Iglesia Evangelica Menonita Central* 
    Mudimka Kassam Nigeria La Mesa, Colombia Church of Christ in Nations
    Natacha Kyendrebeogo Burkina Faso Semarang, Central Java,  Indonesia Eglise Apostolique 
    Neema Atieno Kenya Phnom Penh, Cambodia Eastleigh Mennonite Church, Obwolo Mennonite Church* 
    Sunil Kadsamet  India  Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia  Bethel Brethren in Christ* 
    Tiara Asrilita Indonesia Juju, Kiambu, Kenya Kingdom of Glory JKI Immanuel* 

    ‚ÄîA Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee joint release by Karla Braun, a writer for Mennonite World Conference who lives in Winnipeg.‚ÄØ‚ÄØ 

    The Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network (YAMEN) program is a joint program between Mennonite World Conference and‚ÄØMennonite Central Committee. It places emphasis on expanding the fellowship between churches in the Anabaptist tradition and developing young leaders around the globe. Participants spend one year in a‚ÄØcross-cultural assignment‚ÄØstarting in August and ending the following July.‚ÄØ