Bogota, Colombia – Kristina Toews of Abbotsford, B.C. has been appointed to serve as Web Communications Worker with Mennonite World Conference. The MWC position will be the main part of her three-year assignment as a Mennonite Central Committee volunteer in Bogota, Colombia, where both MWC and MCC have offices in the same building.

As Web Communications Worker, Toews will be part of the MWC communication team headed by Ron Rempel of Waterloo, Ontario. She will manage web content, write and repurpose content for the web, serve as editor of a monthly e-alert, and provide leadership for social media initiatives. She will also be involved in writing and overall communication planning.

“I’m delighted to have Kristina join the MWC communication team,” commented Rempel. “Her keen interest in nurturing global connections and her experience with MWC will serve her well as she moves into this assignment.”

Since 2009, Toews has been the North American representative on the MWC Young Anabaptists (YABs) Committee and also chairs the committee. Made up of representatives from five continents, the YABs Committee is responsible for planning a Global Youth Summit in 2015. In the coming months, MWC will work toward a good transition to a new North American representative and chair for the YABs Committee.

Toews has served as a youth worker on the pastoral staff of Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford since 2007. Part of her responsibilities include updating the congregational website and also connecting with youth via Facebook. Earlier she served for a year in the MCC SALT program in Bolivia where she assisted in the production of a monthly newsletter. While in Bolivia she also learned Spanish.

As an MCC worker in Colombia, Toews will be involved about one day per week in communication-related responsibilities with MCC Colombia and in accompanying several learning tour groups each year. She will also participate in retreats and activities with other MCC volunteers in the country.

 “I'm very excited to serve with MWC and MCC in this position,” commented Toews who will begin her assignment in early February 2013. “I have been blessed and learned so much from the global Anabaptist family and I'm eager to develop more relationships in the global church. I'm also looking forward to improving my Spanish and being a part of the local church in Bogota.”

According to Terrence Jantzi and Elizabeth Phelps, MCC Colombia representatives, “We are looking forward to welcoming Kristina to the MCC Colombia team in partnership with MWC, strengthening the relationship and collaboration between MWC and MCC Colombia as she responds to this calling to service.”

MWC release