Aug. 16, 2010 issue
‘A story of mission’
MB binational gathering celebrates growth
By Connie Faber Christian LeaderVANCOUVER, B.C. — Out of a gathering of 18 households 150 years ago, God created a global family of 400,000 Mennonite Brethren who worship in more than 20 languages.
Women waving flags and a choir directed by worship leader Johnny Markin take part in an event July 16 at Pacific Academy in Surrey, B.C., as part of Celebration 2010, the North American celebration of the global Mennonite Brethren church’s 150th anniversary. — Photo by Kyle Thomas
About 900 U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Brethren gathered July 12-18 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the MB Church.
In their welcome, David Wiebe, executive director of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches, and Ed Boschman, executive director of the U.S. Conference of MB Churches, said there is much for which to be thankful.
“Once our existence as a movement took off, it seems God was using the movement to bring honor and glory to him,” Wiebe said.
The week started with a “Renewing Identity and Mission” consultation July 12-14. The Canadian Conference held its convention at North Langley Community Church July 15-16 concurrently to the U.S. Conference convention at Gracepoint Community Church in Surrey. The two conferences count about 68,000 members.
Programs July 14 and 16 at Pacific Academy in Surrey explored themes of identity and mission.
Conference participants spent July 17 visiting church plants in Vancouver, concluding with a worship service at the Vancouver Convention Center.
In a July 14 event, a readers theater traced MB history from
its origins in Russia in 1860. Stories from leaders of church plants and established congregations in North America offered a picture of MBs today.
Featured speakers John Sankara Rao and Nzuzi Mukawa offered gratitude to missionaries who came to their nations.
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