Portugal joins global MB body; global Confession approved

The International Committee of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) held its annual meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay June 21–23. Representatives from 13 of the 19 member conferences were present. Regrettably, Sigueiro Luzembo of Angola arrived in Brazil, but didn’t have the proper entry visa for Paraguay, and so missed the meeting. Delegates were also disappointed that no representatives from the largest MB Conferences – India and DR Congo – were present.

At the 2004 ICOMB meeting: (back, l–r) David Wiebe (Canada), Victor Wall (Paraguay), Chuck Buller (USA), Otto Ekk (Portugal), Viktor Ekk (Brazil), Harold Ens (MBMSI), Joe Arrais (Portugal), (front) Rolando Mireles (USA), Cesar Garcia (Colombia) Alexander Neufeld (Germany), Ernesto Wiens (Brazil), Rolando Neyra (Peru), Takashe Manabe (Japan), Heinrich Klassen (Germany), Jakob Barkman (Germany).

Delegates made several decisions that will significantly impact the future of ICOMB.

Portugal was accepted as a new conference. God has been at work building a great team of leaders in Lisbon. Two autonomous congregations are now established with several more emerging. Portugal representative Joe Arrais also told of a former Catholic priest who is interested in having his new church join the MB conference there.

It was further decided to appoint a half-time executive secretary to coordinate our global fellowship and assist delegates with burdensome logistics they face getting to the meetings. The ICOMB Executive will act as search team this fall.

One of the purposes of ICOMB is to “promote a vision for the internationalization of the mission” of the global MB conference. MB Mission and Service International was asked to sponsor a global mission consultation in early 2005 involving the nine MB Conferences that currently send missionaries outside their country settings. Incoming MBMSI General Director Randy Friesen will convene the body to assess current mission work, process 3–5 year goals submitted by each representative, assess financing, start strategic planning and develop a plan for a mission commission structure.

A global Confession of Faith was accepted. The first draft was created in Abbotsford in 2002. All conferences worldwide interacted with it and after a team meeting in October, the third and final draft was voted on. The Portuguese conference is the first to accept the ICOMB Confession. (The Confession is available from MBMSI offices.)

Plans for the 150th anniversary of the Mennonite Brethren movement in 2010 were discussed. A tentative decision was made to have an assembly in Germany, with a tour into Ukraine to the birthplace of our denomination. A history project was commissioned, with the Historical Commission in charge of developing this.

In addition to the meetings, the group enjoyed a tour of schools, a Christian university, a radio and TV station and other ministries owned by the Paraguayan MB Conferences (German and Spanish). A highlight was dinner at a churriscaria – a barbecue style restaurant – with Paraguay’s First Lady, Gloria Duarte Frutos. Mrs. Frutos testified to her Christian commitment and the critical importance of the church community at Raices MB (Spanish) Church and requested prayer for herself and her husband, President Nicanor Duarte Frutos. They need much wisdom and God’s protection as he addresses injustices and corruption in the country.

The ICOMB delegates also thanked Harold Ens and wished him well as he closes out ministry with MBMSI. Harold has been a key factor in developing ICOMB in fraternity and to its current level of maturity.

The next ICOMB meeting will be in Japan, April 2005, as they celebrate their 55th anniversary as a conference.

—David Wiebe, ICOMB secretary