Evening speakers at PA 2015 to offer ‘global feast for the soul’

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – “We’re offering a global feast for the soul,” says Don McNiven, a member of the Program Committee for Mennonite World Conference’s Assembly, as he announced evening speakers for PA 2015, to be held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in July.

“Each day we will consider a tension that all of us face as Christians. We’ll begin each morning with conversation about the topic, and then end the day with comments about the same subject, each night from a faithful soul from a different continent.”

On opening night, Tuesday, 21 July, César García of Bogotá, Colombia, MWC General Secretary, will introduce the theme for the Assembly, "Walking with God." In his presentation, he will focus especially on Luke 24 and speak about "Walking the Road to Emmaus." 

Yukari Kaga of Japan will talk about “Walking in Doubt and Conviction” (I Peter 1: 3-9) on Wednesday evening, 22 July. Yukari pastors several small Mennonite congregations in Hokkaido. She is chief director of the Peace Mission Center and serves at the Mennonite Education and Research Center in Japan.

Nzuzi Mukawa of the Democratic Republic of Congo will address “Walking in Conflict and Reconciliation” (I Samuel 25: 1-44; II Corinthians 5: 17-20) on Thursday evening, 23 July. Nzuzi is the team leader for Mennonite Brethren missions in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is both a professor of missions and an associate pastor of an MB congregation in Congo.

Wieteke van der Molen of the Netherlands will explore “Walking in Autonomy and Community” (Genesis 32) Friday evening, 24 July. Wieteke, who pastors a small rural Mennonite congregation north of Amsterdam, loves to read and tell stories.

Bruxy Cavey of Canada will talk about “Walking in Receiving and Giving” (Galatians 5:22-23) on Saturday evening, 25 July. Bruxy is the teaching pastor of The Meeting House, one of Canada’s largest and most innovative churches. A member of the Brethren in Christ, Bruxy is an author and speaks extensively around the world.

We will be blessed by hearing from sisters and brothers who live their faith in settings that are especially difficult,” says McNiven. “They will speak honestly to us about the rigours of following Christ, whatever our circumstances. What extraordinary richness for all of us!”

For more information about PA 2015, and to register, go to www.mwc-cmm.org/pa2015.

Article by Phyllis Pellman Good, a writer and editor for Mennonite World Conference

Click here to download a printable pdf file to create a bulletin insert with Assembly speakers and themes, as depicted in the graphic above.