Mennonite World Conference is on

Despite national confrontations in Zimbabwe in early June, plans for the August 11–17 Mennonite world assembly continue on course. Material, social and political conditions for Africa 2003 have not fundamentally changed, noted Larry Miller, executive secretary for Mennonite World Conference, and Ray Brubacher, International Coordinator for Africa 2003.

“If Assembly Gathered [the actual convention] is to be African, it needs to take place in Bulawayo,” Miller said, rather than at an alternative site in South Africa. MWC Bulawayo staff has moved its office from downtown Bulawayo to the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre, site of Assembly Gathered. They are moving forward, setting up the site and procuring the necessary food, fuel and equipment for the world assembly of more than 5000 people. Of these, about 1500 are international registrants.

Bulawayo Mayor Japhet Ndabeni Ncube stated, “The political problems currently being experienced are a reality but I want them [internationals] to know they will be very safe here in Bulawayo and in Zimbabwe in general.” Danisa Ndlovu, bishop of the Brethren in Christ Conference in Zimbabwe said, “We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.”

Themes for the MWC Assembly Gathered worship times have been chosen. Participants will celebrate the God who made them a worldwide family and be inspired and challenged by stories of “Sharing gifts in suffering and in joy”, based on 1 Corinthians 12. An international choir will lead the congregation in an hour of singing each morning and worship styles will change daily as each of the five continental regions develops the sub-theme it has chosen. Each region has also selected a Bible teacher and preacher.

Outgoing MWC present Mesach Krisetya will speak on the assembly theme in the opening worship service. “Through sharing we experience unity in diversity” is the theme for North America’s day (Friday). Speaker is Mary Anne Isaak, a pastor of Clovis (Calif.) Community Church, and youth from Canada will read Scripture passages which will be the basis of the Bible study.

Assembly Gathered will conclude with “World Day” with a sermon by Nancy Heisey, incoming president of MWC. Music from all the regions will be highlighted both in Assembly Gathered worship and in performance at venues scattered throughout the Trade Fair grounds between formal gatherings. In addition to morning and afternoon tea times, there will be free time to explore displays and the “In God’s Image: A Global Anabaptist Family” art exhibit from around the world, curated by Ray Dirks from Winnipeg.

Membership in Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and related churches is higher in Africa than in any other continent. It now stands at 451,959.

Countries with the most baptized members still rank in the same order as the two previous counts: USA with 323,329 members; Congo with 194,119; Canada with 127,851; India with 127,348; Ethiopia with 98,025 and Indonesia with 71,302.

—from news releases by Ferne Burkhardt, MWC