Stories

In Memoriam: Bijoy Kumar Roul (1950-2024)

Dr. Bijoy Kumar Roul, founder and chair of the Brethren in Christ (BIC) Church, Cuttack, Odisha, India, died 12 July 2024. He represented BIC Odisha on Mennonite World Conference’s General Council since the church became a member in 2003. “I had... more/más/suite

We know God better through the global family

“Through Mennonite World Conference (MWC), I learn what it means to be a global citizen, and that the church is much bigger than my own local congregation,” says Agus Mayanto (Southeast Asia). “We are all brothers and sisters and not strangers... more/más/suite

Life-extending gifts to Myanmar

Even civil war doesn’t stop the global family from supporting one another. For the Indonesia 2022 Assembly, Amos Chin from Bible Missionary Church, Mennonite (BMC), came to participate in the MWC General Council. A military coup followed by civil... more/más/suite

Music opens window to Anabaptist worship across cultures

Five vocal ensembles display God’s love in the diversity of culture through music in 10 concerts at 500 anniversary event in Zurich “Dalam Yesus…” For many Assembly participants, the multilingual, multicultural music of plenary worship sessions is... more/más/suite

GAMEO takes multilingual focus

The management board of the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) * held their annual meeting both in person in Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana, USA, and by Zoom on 24 May 2024. This meeting brought together board members from the... more/más/suite

One body with many faces

“One body with different parts and different functions: Even though we exist in different locations and cultures, we share the same convictions central to our belief and practices,” says George Broughton, reflecting on Mennonite World Conference. He... more/más/suite

Global gathering mourns, repents and reconciles

The rain came with a cool breeze, driving humid heat out the open church windows. So began “That the World May Know” (John 17:23), the fourth Global Gathering of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) in Accra, Ghana. The gathering 16-19 April 2024 marked... more/más/suite

Young adults will be Empowered by Love

Global gathering of young people for quincentenary Global Youth Summit (GYS) : a time for worshipping together, reflecting on faith across cultures, learning about the local culture, and growing understanding through relevant workshops – and love... more/más/suite

What does peace need to thrive?

A YAMENer’s reflection from Colombia Peace doesn’t look the same in every context. That’s a lesson that Hector “Ramon” Calix Dueñas says he’s learning during his YAMEN (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network) year in Colombia. “Ramon” Calix... more/más/suite

A pastoral letter for Anabaptist-Mennonites in Colombia

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and defense.” Psalm 91:4 Beloved brothers and sisters The council of elders (Consejo de Ancianos) of Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas de Colombia... more/más/suite

The power of hospitality and relationships in mission

In December 2023, the Integrated Mennonite Church (IMC) of the Philippines’ Mission Services Department sent a team of pastors for a one-month learning tour in Indonesia with Gereja Injili Tanah Jawa (GITJ) and Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI)... more/más/suite

Theologians and laypeople study the Bible together

“The more a congregation gathers all kinds of readers to study and interpret Scripture together, the more equipped its members will be to identify their common values and mission,” says Malinda Berry. She is developing “Anabaptist Thriving... more/más/suite

Renewal: Awakening to a global family of faith

“Transformation in the Bible is always communal, not individual,” said César García at Renewal 2024 * in Curitiba, Brazil. It requires dialogue in the community, where diversity of position enables us to correct mistakes of the past to deepen our... more/más/suite

Executive Committee approves theological education and creation care grants

Continues shaping networks, adding membership and supporting learning and action in member churches Funding for theological education and carbon tax small grants was passed at the annual meeting of Mennonite World Conference's Executive Committee... more/más/suite

Every church must plan for succession

Jeremiah Choi, MWC regional representative for North Asia, retired as lead pastor of Agape Mennonite Church in Hong Kong in November 2023. Elina Ciptadi (MWC Interim Chief Communications Officer) sat down with him at the Executive Committee meetings... more/más/suite

A pastoral letter for Anabaptist-Mennonites in Kenya

Beloved sisters and brothers: Our brothers and sisters in Kenya Mennonite Church have asked for prayer that the continuous rain in Kisumu County would subside. Weeks of heavier than usual rains for the season have wreaked havoc in many parts of East... more/más/suite

MKC promises memorable and inspirational Assembly

The MWC Assembly in Ethiopia in 2028 takes its first steps toward celebration with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and appointment of a national advisory council. From 11-17 January 2024, MWC leaders Liesa Unger (Chief... more/más/suite

A prayer for peace

Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! When, O Lord, will we learn that peace does not come through force? When, O Lord, will we learn that peace does not come through fighting? When, O Lord, will we learn that peace does not come... more/más/suite

In Memoriam: Reverend Bleise Nzamba (1957-2024)

Reverend Bleise Nzamba, legal represntative of Igreja da Comunidade Menonita em Angola (ICMA), died 30 March 2024. He served Mennonite World Conference on the General Council in Indonesia 2022 and Kenya 2018. Reverend Bleise Nzamba studied at Nyanga... more/más/suite

Blessed are the peacemakers

As Christians, we may look to our Bibles to interpret today’s realities in light of long ago promises. The answer to this question is different for each faith community, says Dorothy Jean Weaver. A Jewish community’s answers arise from the Hebrew... more/más/suite