Ontario youth learn of young spiritual forebears

Modern Mennonites can be very good at blending in with their surroundings, sometimes to the point of being unrecognizable from other believers. While there may be little apparent harm in this, it raises the question of God’s purpose in calling us to be Mennonites.

Becoming the “real people” we’re called to be was the theme of the Ontario MB Youth Leadership Conference held at Camp Crossroads, Torrance, Ont. this fall.

Having 119 youth from across Ontario together demonstrated that youth rarely blend in for long. Their God-given vitality and energy generates a rhythm of change and growth. At this dynamic ground zero, both adults and teen leaders met to learn what it means to understand ourselves in the context of our community of witness: our spiritual ancestors in the Bible and in history, and our co-leaders in our present churches.

Speaker Gareth Brandt, professor at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, presented many examples of our unique Mennonite story – a people who willingly paid the price to become what God desired from them.

What rang particularly sharp in many ears was the young age of those who led the Anabaptist movement. These early leaders were only a few years the senior of many attending the conference. Conrad Grebel, for example, died at 28, following many years of persecution by both Protestant and Catholics for a faith they cited as heresy.

As the youth tested their leadership skills in an “Amazing Race” that encouraged friendly competition, the adult leaders participated in a series of round table discussions. Laila Brand, of MCC Ontario, led them in considering how to cultivate a spirit of learning and care in youth for issues of justice.

Frank Person, of Grantham MB Church in St. Catharines, shared how a basketball drop-in centre has impacted their church and explored its implications for others interested in reaching out to their community.

Gareth Brandt challenged participants to examine whether being Mennonite should be an important part of a youth’s identity. Marv Funk, of Waterloo MB church, uncovered what youth believe leadership means and how to encourage it.

The outcome of the conference was, for many, a refocusing of purpose and encouragement to run the “good race” described in Hebrews 12:1.

—Marv Funk, youth leadership facilitator, Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church