Here is the video that was shown in the first worship service of PA [...]
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In every part of the world, more and more people have access to mobile technology, internet, and social media. These factors change how we communicate, as in real time we can connect with, support, and pray for brothers and sisters in any part of the world. We will hear stories of how MWC and churches [...]
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Historical harms abound throughout our world. Too often the impact of group (collective) trauma is not recognized and goes unaddressed. The wounds then come out as cycles of violence against the self or others that get passed down through the generations. What are the hurts and wounds in your community? How are they being addressed? [...]
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Latinos represent the largest ethnic/racial minority group in the United States. The increases in this population have stirred old anti-immigrant sentiments in communities all across the country. The church often finds itself in the middle of these tensions, trying to respond to the needs of the marginalized while addressing the concerns of the larger population. [...]
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This seminar will explore the current flowering of Mennonite fiction, poetry, memoir, and other artistic expression. One focus will be on texts and authors that critique, affirm, and, Mennonite Writers1as John Ruth once put it, wrestle with Anabaptist/Mennonite traditions and contemporary realities. Authors and texts from outside the Mennonite sphere also will serve, instruct, and [...]
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The sun is setting on the third and last day of GYS. Today, friendships have been reinforced with intercultural and intercontinental sharing, an improvised prayer time held in the center of the cafeteria; fun that got even more crazy with more games; and encouragement for a deeper faith with an impactful message about our role as young Christians. Fellowship, workshops, sports, prayers, […]
Highlights from the three days of GYS!
Mennonite World Conference’s Global Youth Summit is celebrating the gifts that each young adult brings to the global church. One gift is the encouragement and model of Conscientious Objection: refusing mandatory military service in order to follow Jesus’ way of peace. GYS participants celebrated COs today, writing notes to encourage Sang-Min Lee, the first Mennonite […]
Day 2 at GYS started with worship led by Asia. Then delegates and participants shared with each other in discussion groups about our gifts and being part of the body. The afternoon was full of interesting workshops and delegates sessions. After dinner there was praise and dancing in the Africa led worship service. The high […]
I had another good, full day at the Global Youth Summit. After breakfast with Maria, my Canadian roommate Janelle, and Paraguayan Mennonite boys at the delicious Messiah College cafeteria, we went to the Asian worship service. Many on the Asian worship team wore traditional clothing from their country, and I was delighted to see 2 […]
My friend Maria first told me about a Global Youth Summit, a 3-day gathering of Mennonite youth from around the world before Mennonite World Conference. I signed up, excited to meet new people from around the world. Since Korea is a pretty homogenous, I get excited about opportunities to be around groups of diverse people. […]
As GYS 2015 discusses gifts and calling, a participant shared his church’s story of giving gifts of peace in response to persecution that affected more than 50,000 Christians in his village. Amit Andrew Roul is a young leader in a rural Brethren in Christ (BIC) church in the Kandhamal district of Orissa, India. Growing up […]
On the first day of GYS included dynamic and engaging worship service led by Europe in the morning and Latin America in the evening. We were encouraged to live out the call to use our gifts. Delegates learned from each other in their session in the afternoon, while participants joined in interesting workshops and had […]
Non-violent communication (Marshall Rosenberg) is a powerful tool in our society to keep people connected in the midst of conflict. It is a crucial part of our personal preparation to be peacemakers in our society. In The Netherlands many Mennonite congregations are being trained in non-violent communication, and some are giving training to institutions and […]
