Archive for category Presenters

Why are you MB?

MB is my family of faith. My father and grandfather were lay ministers and church planters in the MB church. They received that call from God in the Soviet Union when living a life of faith was very costly. I am still MB because of God shows his faithfulness in keeping our renewal movement vital and he continues to grow our outreach to the ends of the earth.

Where do you see God’s hand at work through the MB church?

Everywhere! In many places of the world and through every member of the movement. I see it especially where we reach out in mission to plant churches in environments not having had any Christian witness and service before.

What is the greatest challenge MBs face looking into the future?

We have to place the value of unity in our MB family higher. As the world grows smaller and our churches more diverse we need each other the more.

What do you hope to see in and through the MB church in the next 10/50/150 years?

In the next 10 years, I hope to see the MB church in Germany grow closer. Secularization and Islamization are two trends in Europe and elsewhere in the western hemisphere that should be challenged by a strong believers’ church. In 50 years, I hope to see a strong MB church in all countries in the 10-40 window. I hope there will be no 300-year MB anniversary because Jesus will have accomplished all his goals on earth and the people of God will live in the city of God in his bright shining glory forever.

What do North American MBs need to hear from our international brothers and sisters?

North American MBs are by far the most resourceful when it comes to material blessings, but also in technology and vocational skills. Bring your gifts to the potluck of the global MB Church and enjoy with the other members of the family some more hope, joy, faith, perseverance, sense of call and purpose, ability to live incarnationally, trust in God and his Word.

Johann Matthies will speak on mission at the plenary session Tuesday night. He gives leadership to MBMS International work in Europe and Central Asia. He studied social sciences, theology and history in Germany, the U.S., Hong Kong, and Russia. Similarly, his experience in teaching and church planting extends from Germany to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Matthies is passionate about world mission and about sharing the gospel with Muslims.

Another of the speakers for the plenary sessions Tuesday and Wednesday nights is Nzuzi Mukawa.

Nzuzi Mukawa is academic dean and professor at the School of Missiology in Kinshasa, DR Congo, and associate pastor of Batela Mennonite Brethren Church of Kinshasa. He was born and raised in a Mennonite Brethren family and church in Kinshasa. Mukawa’s passion is to “see the Anabaptist family united, sharing resources to fulfill the Great Commission by reaching the unreached of the world.”

Nzuzi also spoke at Mennonite World Conference’s gathering last summer in Paraguay. You can read the transcript of his address here.

Why are you MB?

Because of my personal convictions. MB history, theological emphasis, and administrative structures have much to give to Christ’s body.

Where do you see God’s hand at work through the MB church?

In every place around the world where MBs renounce human self-centred tendencies to give testimony to Jesus through words and works.

What is the greatest challenge MBs face looking into the future?

To maintain their identity as part of the Anabaptist tradition.

What do you hope to see in and through the MB church in the next 10/50/150 years?

A global church that does not make cultural, racial, or economical distinctions.
A multicultural church that works in unity in order to give testimony of Jesus.
A church that knows how to combine worship with social development, missions with peacemaking, and leadership with interdependency.

What do North American MBs need to hear from our international brothers and sisters?

The same we all need to hear: that the body of Christ does not know about political boundaries, and that the body of Christ needs MBs who know and value their own Anabaptist tradition.

César García will speak on mission at the plenary session Tuesday night. He is a pastor, professor, and former president of the Mennonite Brethren Churches of Colombia. Currently, César is studying for an MA in theology at MB Biblical Seminary. He is also the mission commission secretary for Mennonite World Conference.

Worship music at Celebration 2010 will explore traditional and contemporary styles, perhaps even introducing some new ideas. The organizers hope it will be an inspiring experience with familiar songs that balance old and new.

Leading the singing at the Celebration services Wednesday and Friday evenings will be Johnny Markin (left). Johnny has served as pastor of worship and arts at Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., since 2000. Johnny and his wife Darlene previously served in the U.K. and Europe as outreach workers with Youth for Christ; they now live in Abbotsford with their two children. In 2005, Johnny co-produced a bilingual CD, Hear from Heaven in partnership with the MB churches in Montreal. In 2009, he released the Acoustic Hymns Project (reviewed in the May MB Herald).

MBs have a long tradition of choral excellence (did you know that the Canadian conference used to have a “youth worker” on staff to organize choir competitions and workshops?), and those who love to weave together four parts will have an opportunity at Celebration 2010. Practices will be scheduled throughout the week at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium for those wishing to join a mass choir of MB singers from across North America.