Events

MWC and political advocacy
This workshop will explore the way MWC gets involved in political advocacy and how MWC member churches can request such help. It will also explore how MWC can further support its member churches and some of their ongoing struggles.
Workshop leader:
Andrew Suderman (Canada/USA), Joji Pantoja (Philippines/Canada)
Languages: English, Indonesian

Christian hospitality: the church and global migration
Migration and hospitality have been part of human history since biblical times. Today, responses to increasing global migration often promote the building of walls, countering the biblical call to hospitality. Join Mennonite Central Committee as we consider biblical hospitality to respond faithfully to God’s call to be a welcoming church.
Workshop leader:
Saulo Padilla (USA)
Languages: Español, Français

Mennonite farmers: a global history of place and sustainability
An introduction to a new book Mennonite Farmers: A Global History of Place and Sustainability published in November 2021 by Johns Hopkins University Press; and research in Java in 2014.
Workshop leader:
Danang Kristianwan (Indonesia), Royden Loewen (Canada)
Languages: English, Español

Responding to climate crisis as a missional responsibility
Humanity is facing cataclysmic climate impacts and the missional role of the church in restoring a future-looking interaction with our environment is absolutely essential. This workshop will include voices of Anabaptist-Mennonite communities to guide our dialogue regarding possibilities for bold leadership towards a vision rooted in justice and sustainability. This workshop is sponsored by the Global Anabaptist Peace Network and the Peace Commission.
Workshop leader:
Wendy Kroeker (Canada), Andres Pacheco Lozano (Colombia/Netherlands)
Languages: English
 
Preventing Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries
Join Dr. Blaise Kutala and Dr. Delphin Kapasa in their review of causes, consequences, clinical aspects and low-cost solutions to prevent child malnutrition. The approach consists of mobilizing all the forces of the community to use therapeutic foods to effectively address malnutrition.
Workshop leader:
Blaise Kutala, Delphin Kapasa, Jeremie Nteba, Rubin Mapinga (DR Congo)
Languages: English, Français

Creating a Global South sending structure
Even if the workers of the Global South work in partnership with those of the Global North workers, they must be sent and supported by Global South sending structures. The visionary leaders of the Global South need creative thinking and divine inspiration to design and build structure that send their missionaries.
Workshop leader:
Yemiru Tilahun, Abayneh Awjulo (Ethiopia)
Languages: English 
 
Breaking down barriers between Muslims and Christians
This workshop compares the wearing of facemasks in response to COVID-19 with the wearing of face veils worn by some Muslim women for religious reasons. Memes and cartoons explore the breaking of barriers in a humorous way. The workshop also looks at the importance of bodily practices in Islam and Christianity.
Workshop leader:
Jacqueline Hoover
Languages: English, Français
 
Adapting leadership and programs during the pandemic in India
This husband-and-wife team share their experiences as hospital administrator and nurse at the Broadwell Christian Hospital in Uttar Pradesh, India, during the COVID-19 pandemic. They share their message of hope amid challenges and the necessary adaptations they made during the ongoing pandemic.
Workshop leader:
Arpit Kumar Kachhap, Jyothi Monalisa Bakhla (India)
Languages: English
 
The Peace House: encountering the stranger
The Ludwigshafen Friedenshaus (Peace House) in Germany offers a model for congregational engagement with migrants. Offering language classes, sewing evenings, tutoring and potlucks, the Friedenshaus brings people together. Four volunteers or long-term service workers with the Friedenshaus share stories and reflections on how other congregations might develop similar initiatives.
Workshop leader:
David Lapp-Jost (USA/Germany)
Languages: English

The Bible, the land and the Middle East conflict
This workshop offers an overview of New Testament perspectives on the people of God and their relationship to the “promised land” in which they live. We then consider together how these New Testament perspectives might shape our present-day responses to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Please bring your Bible!
Workshop leader:
Dorothy Jean Weaver (USA)
Languages: English, Español
 
Muslim nonviolence?!
Common associations of Islam with violence create barriers of fear that are hard to overcome. Anabaptists might believe they have an exclusive grasp on nonviolent theology and practice. The case study of the Muridiyya, a transnational Sufi Muslim religious order originally from Senegal, presents an alternative perspective on nonviolence. Encountering another faith tradition committed to nonviolence holds up a mirror for Anabaptists, prompting new questions about following Jesus in peacemaking and calling for deeper engagement with the religious other.
Workshop leader:
Jonathan Bornman (USA)
Languages: English, Español
 
Evangelicals and power: what does Anabaptism say?
The leaders of evangelical churches have experimented with and penetrated into politics and have formed alliances with right-wing political parties characterized by militarist, neoliberal and homophobic policies as well as human rights violations. Faced with this situation, what is the role we should play as Anabaptists?
Workshop leader:
Peter Stucky (USA/Colombia), César Moya (Colombia)
Languages: English, Español
 
Creation care that makes a difference
Humanity’s impact on the environment demonstrates the need for a change of direction. Yet so often steps toward “creation care” seem overwhelmingly large or too small to make a difference. This workshop will examine ways followers of Jesus as individuals and organizations can live into a more sustainable future.
Workshop leader:
Tim Wiebe-Neufeld (Canada)
Languages: English

Diálogos Anabautistas: “Como construimos espacios de discernimiento en tiempos de
fundamentalismos religiosos y políticos”
Toda comunidad saludable debe dialogar abiertamente sobre temas controversiales, como forma de encarnar la fe en Jesús y poder seguir juntos, superando las barreras y desafíos que el mundo nos plantea hoy y tener esperanza y vencer el miedo.
Workshop leader:
María Elena Arango Libreros (Colombia), Luis María Almán Bornes (Argentina), Víctor Rey Bautista (Chile)
Languages: Español
 
Bringing voices together: songs from around the world
The new Voices Together hymnal features songs and worship resources from many eras, written around the world, and representing various styles. What techniques can song leaders use to effectively lead songs from many places? How can resources from both Voices Together and the MWC song books facilitate intercultural relationships? Get to know the new hymnal and learn about songs from around the world in this workshop.
Workshop leader:
Anneli Loepp Thiessen (Canada), Benjamin Bergey (USA)
Languages: English
 
Called to be holy: Integrating ministry into our daily lives
Learn to equip members of the church to minister in their daily lives. Learn how the pastor and church building no longer function as the center of ministry but the place where others are taught how to do ministry where they live, work and play.
Workshop leader:
Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg (USA)
Languages: English

Join us to watch the Mennonite World Conference evening session together!

Focus: Asia

Introduction to the Global Anabaptist Peace Network
This workshop will introduce the Global Anabaptist Peace Network, its hope and purpose, and the way in which peace-related organizations can become part of this network.
Workshop leader:
Wendy Kroeker (Canada), Andres Pacheco Lozano (Colombia/Netherlands)
Languages: English, Español 
 
Mennonites in Indonesia and radical Muslims making peace
Violence in the name of religion often occurs in Indonesia. The Mennonite church started to build peace with radical group to overcome violence in the name of religion in Indonesia.
Workshop leader:
Paulus Hartono (Indonesia)
Languages: English, Français 
 
Overcoming the dividing wall between Christ-followers and Muslims
Wherever Jesus’ church meets the Muslim community, we must nurture four dynamic interactions: dialogue, witness, peacemaking and hospitality. This seminar equips Christ-followers for healthy relationships with Muslims. Studying key biblical texts, supplemented by video testimonies, participants develop plans to share and implement their learnings in their home churches.
Workshop leaders:
Andres Prins, Jonathan Bornman, Patrick Obonde
Languages: English, Indonesian

Declaration of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples – I
This three-part series explores the document that the Mennonite World Conference General Council approved in Kenya 2018. The first workshop explores the MWC Declaration of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples document. It offers a glimpse into the background of this document, including the struggle of the Wounaan People and the way in which they, through their request, served as impetus for the crafting of this document. It also highlights the development of the document and the way it has been used thus far.
Workshop leader:
Andrew Suderman (Canada/USA), Joji Pantoja (Canada/Philippines), Tala Bautista (Philippines),
Wendy Kroeker (Canada), Katerina Friesen (USA)
Languages: English, Español 
 
The “Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace” of the WCC
The World Council of Churches called for a “pilgrimage” of justice and peace. Applying a transformative spirituality, local communities have been visited in every region, to celebrate the gifts of life, to touch the wounds and to transform the injustices. Key-themes have emerged on the way: truth and trauma, land and displacement, gender justice, and racism.
Workshop leader:
Fernando Enns (Brazil/Germany), Andrés Pacheco Lozano (Colombia/Netherlands)
Languages: English, Français 
 
Overcoming the dividing wall between Christ-followers and Muslims
Wherever Jesus’ church meets the Muslim community, we must nurture four dynamic interactions: dialogue, witness, peacemaking and hospitality. This seminar equips Christ-followers for healthy relationships with Muslims. Studying key biblical texts, supplemented by video testimonies, participants develop plans to share and implement their learnings in their home churches.
Languages: English, Indonesian

MKC-RDA paved the way for the gospel in Meta Welkite district
MKC-RDA is faith-based organization. It started development work in Meta Welkite district in Ethiopia with NFBE in 2000. Though a few people received Jesus Christ at that time, there were no evangelists who could read the Bible to teach people. To solve this problem, MKC-RDA decided to plant 20 schools. This and other blessed works done in the area paved way to people to receive Lord.
Workshop leader:
Shambu Balcha, Negassa Merdassa, Geremew Terfa (Ethiopia)
Languages: English
 
The walled world: breaking down the walls of hostility
Since the Berlin Wall fell, many new walls have been built. Fear of the stranger, not care for the stranger is the political message. But the Bible urges us to break down the walls of hostility, to welcome the foreigner into our midst and to work for creative, community-based approaches and political change.
Workshop leader:
James Jakob Fehr (Germany), Runbir Serkepkani (Central Asia), Sarah Jackson (USA)
Languages: English, Français
 
Evangelical faith and the Land of Israel
Alex Awad brings life experience and biblical foundations to his work for peace for Israelis and Palestinians and many others touched by the conflict in his homeland. This is an opportunity to learn from a Palestinian evangelical holding Christian Zionism to the light of Scripture.
Workshop leader:
Reverend Alex Awad (Palestine), Linda Herr, James Wheeler (USA/Palestine)
Language: English, Français
 
Integration of faith and health from an Anabaptist perspective
Join our panel of speakers as we consider the intersection and integration of faith and health, on an individual, congregational, community and global level. We begin with the theology of health and turning to the example of Jesus who is the great healer of all.
Workshop leader:
Cate Desjardins (USA), Murray Nickel (Canada)
Languages: English, Français

The Lord calls devoted, transformational leaders
Our worldview as leaders is being changed from managing organizations into leading transformation and reconciliation in a changing world. Called to follow Jesus and his word, loving people, using right principles and motivations, understanding giftings and culture, we obey Holy Spirit’s daily guidance, leading and preparing passionate people for action.
Workshop leader:
Paul Gerhard Dück (Brazil)
Languages: English, Español
 
Restorative Justice, crimes and addictions /
Justicia Restaurativa, delitos y adicciones
Sharing the experience of 11 years of work of Fundación La Salida in restoration of addicts. Service proposals, offering as an alternative the task of the Church as a healing community, to the Criminal Justice in Patagonia Argentina.
Compartiendo la experiencia de 11 años de trabajo de Fundación La Salida en restauración de adictos. Propuestas de servicio, ofreciendo como alternativa la tarea de la Iglesia como comunidad sanadora, a la Justicia Penal en la Patagonia Argentina.
Workshop leader:
Pastor Osvaldo Monroy (Argentina)
Languages: Español, Indonesian
 
Waters for the Earth /
Aguas para la tierra
As administrators of everything that exists on earth as in Genesis 1:26, we have the obligation to protect life and contribute to its recovery. This is a presentation of the patented discovery hydromechanical machine, ecological water pump, that provides the needs of the earth. A Colombian Mennonite contribution to the droughts of our planet.
Como administradores de todo lo existente en la tierra Gen. 1:26, tenemos la obligación de proteger la vida y aportar a la recuperación de esta. Presentación del descubrimiento patentado Máquina Hidromecánica, bomba de agua ecológica, provee las necesidades de la tierra. Aporte Menonita Colombia a las sequias de nuestro planeta.
Workshop leader:
J. Milton Franco D. and Jamilton Franco Trujillo (Colombia)
Languages: English, Español 
 
Creation care and MWC: responding as a global church
How should Mennonite World Conference respond to climate and other environmental crises which are impacting communities globally? This workshop presents learnings and stories that come from the recent creation care survey. Creation Care Task Force members will lead a conversation on how MWC should respond to these creation care crises.
Workshop leader:
Doug Graber Neufeld (USA)
Languages: English
 
LACA churches as places of refuge and care with migrants
We share examples and testimonies of churches across the LACA region integrating migrants into their community and providing care and hope. We will discuss the roots of migration, the call of the church to share in migrants' journeys and resources for biblical reflections in congregations.
Workshop leader:
César Flores (Honduras), Lizette Miranda (Honduras), Bonnie Klassen (Canada/Colombia)
Languages: Español 

MCC alumni of young adult programs
A program gathering for Assembly participants who served in one of MCC's young adult programs including IVEP, SALT, YAMEN, Seed, Summerbridge and Summer Service, or who hosted a young adult from one of these programs.
Workshop leader:
Andrea Geiser Leaman (USA), Chris Landes (USA)
Languages:
English

Join us to watch the Mennonite World Conference evening session together!

Focus: Latin America

Merienda Menonita: el arte de conversar y la práctica de escuchar
Thinking of following Jesus across borders, we believe that an essential point is to be able to converse and listen with people who are different from us. Merienda Mennonita hosts present exercises, tools and examples on how to better listen and converse across differences, be they of culture, identity, economics, politics, age, etc. In Merienda Mennonita, we share stories and conversations with guests about how to live the Christian call in Latin America. Together we explore how to follow Christ in everyday life, and what Anabaptism can offer the Latin American church today. Merienda Mennonita is a podcast produced in association with Mennonite Mission Network and Anabaptist World, Inc.
Languages: English, Español 
 
Abundance of love in the family
Bagaimana pengalaman pribadi saya yang defisit cinta di keluarga asal saya (bukan Kristenbroken home) menuju pada pengalaman transformasi cinta di komunitas gereja.(membangun pelayanan ARK Family Center) Saya membagikan tips dan tricks menuju transformasi cinta, melalui refleksi teologis,pengalaman pribadi, teori cinta dengan memadukan tools Points of You.
Workshop leader:
Ani Widjaja, Timothy Adhi Dharma (Indonesia)
Languages: English, Indonesian 
 
Dutch colonialism, Multatuli, and Mennonite history: a drama workshop
This session uses theatre workshopping as a way to foster discussion about Mennonite history in Indonesia and about the place of (post)colonialism in the study of Mennonite history more broadly (e.g., mission work/processes of global migration and settlement, etc.). The most famous Dutch author of the nineteenth-century was Eduard Douwes Dekker (1820-1887), who wrote sharp indictments against the Dutch colonial regime in the Indies with the pen name Multatuli, came from a Mennonite family.
Workshop leader:
Chris Doude van Toostwijk (Netherlands), Nina Schroeder (Canada)
Languages: English

Declaration of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples – II
The second workshop of this 3-part series will look at current struggles of Indigenous Peoples and how MWC member churches and/or related organizations are walking with and standing in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and their ongoing struggles.
Workshop leader:
Andrew Suderman (Canada/USA), Joji Pantoja (Canada/Philippines), Tala Bautista (Philippines),
Wendy Kroeker (Canada), Katerina Friesen (USA)
Languages: English, Español
 
Healthy church boundaries in power and sexuality
Practical tools for promoting appropriate behavior in power and sexual relationships in leadership and pastoral work based on Healthy Boundaries material developed by Faith Trust Institute, with adaptations for Latin America, sections of the Colombian Mennonite Church’s ethics manual, and training experiences.
Workshop leader:
Alix Lozano (Colombia), Pablo Stucky (USA/Colombia), Alix Lozano (Colombia)
Languages: Español, Indonesian 
 
Living in harmony on the slope of Muria: The pro existence relationship between
Mennonite community and Muslim community
Kisah Damai Mennonite dan Islam dari Pedesaan Lereng Muria
This workshop will present the results of the research on the relationship between Mennonite and Muslim communities in two villages located on the slopes of Muria Mountain. The forms of relations that occur and the factors that shape these relations will be presented, such as the theological and cultural understanding of the community. The workshop will be presented by a Mennonite pastor and woman Islamic scholar who carried out this research.
Workshop leader:
Danang Kristiawan (Indonesia), Kamilia Hamidah (Indonesia)
Languages: English, Indonesian

Mary breaking down barriers between Muslims and Christians
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is deeply honoured by Christians and Muslims. This workshop explores the Qur'anic and biblical narratives about Mary and her depiction in both traditions. The workshop also investigates what a focus on her prophethood can add to inter-religious dialogue between Muslims and Christians, especially for women.
Workshop leader:
Jacqueline Hoover (UK)
Languages: English, Français
 
Ecumenical peace witness across Europe
Rethinking security, welcoming the marginalized, interfaith cooperation – peace church witness takes different forms. The ecumenical network Church and Peace brings together and encourages those working on peace and reconciliation in their contexts across Europe. Hear about current examples and themes and join the discussion on steps forward.
Workshop leader:
Lydia Funck (Germany)
Languages: English, Français
 
Perspectives of an awakening for Congolese Mennonite women
The Congolese are yearning for holistic peace after decades of precariousness and violence in a paradoxically rich country. Revival is God rescuing a country. Thirst, knowledge and prayer call for revival. The Mennonite woman who builds the Congo, her home, is seeking the partnership of Mennonites around the world.
Workshop leader:
Madame Charlotte Djimbo Lunguya (DR Congo)
Languages:
English, Français 

MEDA panel: business and faith in a post-COVID world
MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Association) works to create business solutions to poverty. MEDA’s vision is that all people may unleash their God-given potential to earn a livelihood, provide for families and enrich communities. This session focuses on how MEDA SME partners in the agribusiness sector view the post-COVID-19 world.
Workshop leader:
Dr. Dorothy Nyambi (USA), Veronica Herrera (Nicaragua), Hadija Jabri (Tanzania), Sunoko Lin
(Indonesia/USA)
Languages: English
 
Evangelical faith and the Land of Israel
Alex Awad brings life experience and biblical foundations to his work for peace for Israelis and Palestinians and many others touched by the conflict in his homeland. This is an opportunity to learn from a Palestinian evangelical holding Christian Zionism to the light of Scripture.
Language: English, Français

Anabaptist Mennonite Scholars Network: Scholarship across barriers
This workshop presents the Anabaptist Mennonite Scholars Network (AMSN) as a resource for MWC members doing advanced academic research in theology, religious studies, history, sociology, anthropology and other disciplines. After an introduction to the AMSN, a panel of international scholars discuss their research and how it connects with regional and global Mennonite churches.
Workshop leader:
Kyle Gingerich Hiebert (Canada), Jamie Pitts (USA)
Languages: English, Indonesian
 
Atonement and how it impacts ethics
Why did Jesus die? And how does our answer to this question change us and how we live? Explore all the biblical metaphors Jesus and Paul used to explain the cross and discover the potential problems when we embrace only one or two metaphors.
Workshop leader:
Michele Hershberger (USA)
Languages: English, Español
 
Alone with God: the challenge
It is a challenge that challenges you to deepen personal intimacy with God through twelve intentional weeks of daily prayer. It is inspired by the prayerful lifestyle of the Lord Jesus and grounded in the commandment of Matthew 6:6.
Workshop leader:
Pastor Fundador Samuel Moran (USA)
Languages: English, Español
 
Practical steps for creation care from the global church
A panel representing churches from around the world will share practical ways, from gardening to advocacy actions, that they are engaging in creation care. There will be time for questions and sharing between participants and workshop audience. This panel is part of a series of workshops from the Creation Care Task Force.
Workshop leader:
Anna Vogt (Canada), Español
Languages: English
 
Building peace through the use of music
Music making has always been a fundamental characteristic of the human race. Research has proven that music has the ability to reduce tensions, change one's mood and behaviour and set the stage for significant behavioural change. This seminar explores the use of music in community building, uncovering basic skills that can enhance social change.
Workshop leader:
Anthony Brown
Languages: English

Join us to watch the Mennonite World Conference evening session together!

Focus: Africa

Exploring the nature of peace contextually
This workshop will explore the biblical notion of peace and its focus on right relations with God, the world, and each other. Participants will then explore their particular context and the challenges they face in living into this vision of peace (or shalom).
Workshop leader:
Andrew Suderman (Canada/USA), Andres Pacheco Lozano (Colombia/Netherlands)
Languages: English 
 
Christian hospitality: the church and global migration
Migration and hospitality have been part of human history since biblical times. Today, responses to increasing global migration often promote the building of walls, countering the biblical call to hospitality. Join Mennonite Central Committee as we consider biblical hospitality to respond faithfully to God’s call to be a welcoming church.
Saulo Padilla (USA)
Languages: English, Indonesian

Declaration of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples – III
The third workshop of this 3-part series will work to create an interactive space where participants can work together in exploring how their particular church can work toward standing in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and how we can together continue to live into the MWC document.
Workshop leader:
Andrew Suderman (Canada/USA), Joji Pantoja (Canada/Philippines), Tala Bautista (Philippines),
Wendy Kroeker (Canada), Katerina Friesen (USA)
Languages: English, Español
 
La fondation de la CEM : une extension osée de l’anabaptisme en RDC.
Née suite au refoulement des mennonites baluba de Ndjoku Punda où ils étaient des membres influents de la CIM, la CEM est une conséquence de courage, de persévérance et d’abnégation réels de ses pionniers. Aujourd’hui, soixante ans après, grâce à cette détermination, elle est une réalité spirituelle vivante évidente.
Workshop leader:
Pasteur Jean Félix Cimbalanga, (DR Congo)
Languages: Français
 
Together response to Gender-Based Violence/Female Genital Mutilation in Tanzania
Culture hinders women in Tanzania whereas churches are in the forefront to empower women in their journey across this barrier. In this workshop, we will highlight some cultural experiences facing women as they strive in following Jesus and experience how CCT empower women to cross over gender-based violence and female genital mutilation.
Workshop leader:
Esther Muhagachi (Tanzania), Clotilda Ndezi (Tanzania)
Languages: English

Join us to watch the Mennonite World Conference evening session together!

Focus: International Day

Zoom Meeting ID: 537 877 399
Direct link: zoom.us/j/537877399
Phone: 1.587.328.1099

Zoom Meeting ID: 537 877 399
Direct link: zoom.us/j/537877399
Phone: 1.587.328.1099