-
Ministry partner update: ICOMB – June 2019
The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 21 national churches in 19 countries with approximately 450,000 members. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding. ICOMB is gathering at the Matthew Training Center outside of Guadalajara,…
-
Moving forward together
Have you ever made a decision when you were for the idea and the other person was against it? Or, been on a board when a vote went five in favour and four against? It’s not fun to move ahead that way, is it? Which of us, if we think of relationships rather than about…
-
Prayers for children
In this issue, we have examples of how members of the Anabaptist Mennonite family are making a place for children in their local churches around the world. The children are truly well catered for during these BICC Zimbabwe General Conferences. Though the ministry may face insufficient resources, children’s programs and performance during these conferences are…
-
Nurturing peace in children
In this issue, we have examples of how members of the Anabaptist Mennonite family are making a place for children in their local churches around the world. The Peace, Integrity and Lifeskills Clubs (PILLS) are values education-based clubs for the Brethren in Christ Church that help learners in 13 pilot junior and high schools with…
-
Mennonite and Reformed reconciliation in a global perspective
“Reformed and Anabaptist are branches from the same tree,” said Hanspeter Jecker, a Mennonite theologian from Switzerland. “Anabaptist convictions that once were controversial – such as the voluntary nature of church membership and rejection of capital punishment – are now accepted by many Christian groups. Centuries of opposition have turned to reconciliation.” Five centuries after…
-
MWC makes space, shares hope
“Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord,” said Mennonite World Conference (MWC) President J. Nelson Kraybill. At the Executive Committee meetings, eight pastors and leaders from Asociación Iglesias Cristianas Menonitas de Costa Rica shared about how their congregations are growing together and start new ministries. The MWC Executive Committee (EC) met 8–12 April,…
-
Salt and light: Young Anabaptists pray
How can we be salt and light in the world? Young Anabaptists are exploring this question together through the YABs Fellowship Week worship resources. Pray with young people about the Anabaptist church around the world: Kenya (Wycliff Ochieng): Remember us in prayers: Currently, we are experiencing drought in some parts of the country and people…
-
Protecting children
“Is it actually necessary to think about those topics (abuse, neglect)? I mean, we are part of a Christian church!” This is a common reaction I get while educating people about the topic of “Safe Church.”* Sadly, though, it is a fact that churches are not safe just because they are churches. A safe atmosphere…
-
“Let the little children come to me”
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Mathew 19:14). The Gospels record Jesus saying these words to those who want to remove the children from his presence. Jesus is saying something we know to be true today:…
-
Growing forgiveness
It took about 490 years for government officials in Bern, Switzerland, to ask for forgiveness for persecution of Anabaptists in the region. It took less than two to get a response from Swiss Mennonites. Delegates from every congregation in Konferenz der Mennoniten der Schweiz [Alttäufer]/Conférence Mennonite Suisse [Anabaptiste] (KMS/CMS) gathered to offer forgiveness to the…
-
Ministry partner update: ICOMB – May 2019
The International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) is made up of 21 national churches in 19 countries with approximately 450,000 members. ICOMB exists to facilitate relationships and ministries to enhance the witness and discipleship of its member national churches – connecting, strengthening and expanding. The church in Mexico The Conference of the Mennonite Brethren in…
-
From darkness to light
No matter how many times you visit India, the overcrowded cities, hazy air and animal-people-vehicle jammed streets of this country with more than 1.3 billion people are an assault to your physical senses and inner spirit. The contrast between light and darkness is evident in India. The crushing poverty, desperation, and hopelessness speak of the…
