PA 2015 attendees seize opportunity to build MDS houses
Pounding nails may be the last activity one might expect at an international church convention, but for many at the Mennonite World Conference’s PA 2015, it was a perfect fit.
Pounding nails may be the last activity one might expect at an international church convention, but for many at the Mennonite World Conference’s PA 2015, it was a perfect fit.
Would the attendees of Pennsylvania 2015 accept “an occasional farm smell” in their meeting space? That’s just one of the many questions Howard Good, national coordinator of PA 2015, asked as he and his team evaluated the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., as a potential location for the next Mennonite World Conference assembly.
Two-hundred and sixty-nine individuals played in the Anabaptist World Cup in Logan Park in Dillsburg, Pa. This was the first soccer tournament for Mennonite World Conference and took place during its 16th assembly, held in Harrisburg, Pa., July 21 to July 2016, 2015.
For my “First thoughts” see here.
Bruxy Cavey, the keynote speaker at the Saturday evening service, challenged listeners to go beyond the “ethics of a rock” in their love for other people. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman, for Meetinghouse)
Outgoing MWC president Danisa Ndlovu prays for the new president Nelson Kraybill and his wife Ellen, while members of the MWC executive committee surround them. The new vice-president, Rebecca Osiro, stands beside Ellen. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman, for Meetinghouse)
Love for neighbour is absolutely central to the gospel, speaker Bruxy Cavey said in the final mass worship service of Pennsylvania 2015, July 25, 2015. This service saw the passing of a symbolic shepherd’s staff from Mennonite World Conference president Danisa Ndlovu to incoming president Nelson Kraybill.
Hippolyto Tshimanga reminded listeners at Mennonite World Conference Assembly: “There is no such thing as a church without mission; mission is the DNA of the church.” And yet, he wondered if some Mennonites are “allergic” to evangelism. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman, for Meetinghouse)
Young Anabaptists Rodrigo Pedroza (left) and Marc Pasques (centre), with the help of translator Andres Prins, challenged listeners to match beliefs with concrete actions. “As we wait for our Lord to fulfill his kingdom, it is our task to continue healing, reconciling and transforming,” said Pedroza. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman, for Meetinghouse)
Energy was still high in the penultimate mass session of PA 2015, July 25, 2015, and speakers issued sharp challenges to Anabaptists, calling for a more active and evangelistic discipleship.
The July 24 evening service concluded with a communion service led by Janet Plenert, MWC vice president, J. Nelson Kraybill, MWC president elect, and Danisa Ndlovu, MWC president. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman, for Meetinghouse)
Wieteke van der Molen, a pastor from the Netherlands, told the story of Jacob and his struggle between his own desires and the life of the community. “To keep some sense of autonomy within community is like constantly wrestling with man and God and, most of all, yourself,” she said. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman, for Meetinghouse)
Each person is never alone. They must live in community. Yet each also craves independence and autonomy.
Citing Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32, Wieteke van der Molen told Mennonite World Conference assembly attendees July 24 that since the interests of the group will always collide with those of the individual, each person must wrestle with friction and frustration.
Young Anabaptist Kevin Ressler asked how the Anabaptist church can regain its confidence and become boldly prophetic again. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman)
“We are here today, celebrating our common Anabaptist faith and our position in the Lord Jesus Christ,” was the greeting from Shantkumar S. Kunjam of India, who took the platform Friday morning representing the MWC Deacon Commission.
Nzuzi Mukawa, a Congolese Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator, preached on walking with conflict and reconciliation. He highlighted the biblical character Abigail as an example of faithful peacemaking. (Photo by Dale D. Gehman)
Nzuzi Mukawa, a Congolese Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator and the MB Mission team leader for Sub Sahara Africa, challenged his audience Thursday evening to leave Mennonite World Conference Assembly as men and women who are reconciled with God and with others.
Remilyn Mondez of the Philippines warned about the perils of church conflict and then sprung a surprise.