International MB mission leaders meet

Ten people from eight countries met Jan. 18–21 in Abbotsford, B.C. to talk and pray about how Mennonite Brethren can do mission work together.

The Global Mission Consultation was sponsored by the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) and included representatives from Paraguay, Japan, Germany, Colombia, Brazil, India, Lithuania and North America. Delegates from Congo, Angola and Namibia were unable to attend because of travel difficulties.

The vision for the consultation came out of the last ICOMB meeting, held in Paraguay in June. Member conferences desire to see a structure developed in order to work together at mission vision and mission efforts. Delegates were invited from those of the 19 ICOMB member conferences that are planning to send out missionaries or have already done so.

MBMSI general director Randy Friesen organized and hosted the event. “This was the first time ICOMB mission representatives came together to focus on how we can strengthen the global mission movement of the Mennonite Brethren,” he reported. “We spent a lot of time praying together. One mission leader remarked that this was the most life-giving international MB gathering he had attended. The outcomes of this gathering could reshape the future of the global MB mission movement.”

Gordon Nickel, director of Intercultural Studies Program at Trinity Western University–ACTS Seminary, and former MBMSI missionary in India, provided missiological reflection each morning. Andrew Stanley, worship leader at South Abbotsford MB Church and former MBMSI staff member, led worship sessions.

Through their discussion, delegates gained a common vision for each MB conference to be an active participant in cross-cultural global mission by developing their own mission-sending structure, and for a forum to do joint mission work. A proposal will be presented to ICOMB for consideration at the next annual meeting this April in Japan.

Delegates viewed the tsunami disaster as an opportunity to begin this joint work and prepared a statement encouraging each MB conference to participate in a holistic ministry response.

—Joanna Felts, MBMSI release