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Shafter, Calif.
Hispanic MBs, MBMS International hold first mission congress


MBMS International hosted Primer Congreso de Misiones (First Missions Seminar) in the Pacific District Conference among its 32 Hispanic churches February 2. MBMS International is the global mission agency of the Canadian and US Mennonite Brethren churches. The PDC is part of the US MB Conference.

Forty-five people, including mission agency staff and people from eight congregations, attended the event, which was hosted by Compañerismo Cristiano Church in Shafter, Calif. The focus was on how Hispanic Mennonite Brethren and MBMS International could work together in ministry that is already in place in Mexico. The discussion highlighted some of the issues in working together as church and mission agency. It was noted that some mission points are being established, and even some churches are being planted, but not in collaboration with the Christian Church of Peace in Mexico (ICPM), the Mennonite Brethren conference in Mexico. Some pastors said that it is easier to work individually then to take the time to work together.

“We all agreed that sins have been committed by MBMS International and by the churches in our unwillingness to work together,” says Ron Penner, a former missionary to Mexico who is now the agency’s personnel director. “Forgiveness was asked and prayed for, and a resolve to work together was the result for many of the delegates present.”

Ismael Ramirez, president of the MB Conference in Mexico, was a keynote speaker at the event. Ramirez gave a clear invitation to work together in Mexico, noting that God is at work and the churches will go ahead since He is in control. “It is time that the Mexican Mennonite Brethren Church takes responsibility for its churches, its vision and the opportunities for mission that are in abundance,” he said. “However, there is much that can be done as we work together.”

David Loyola, pastor of La Grulla MB Church in Texas, shared how the Youth Mission International’s SOAR Midwest program has made a positive impact on the lives of the church’s youth. Some of those same youth are now leading the worship at their growing and revitalized church in south Texas, located in the poorest county of the US.

Jose Elizondo, associate district minister of the PDC, indicated that he had been impacted by the seminar, and will actively share about missions in the churches he visits. The Pacific District Hispanic Council may even use global mission as its theme for their annual assembly in May.

 – MBMS International

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Last modified April 17, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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