MWC Assembly 15 in Asunción, Paraguay
by Gordon HouserPrint Article Email to a Friend
Asunción, Paraguay--Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Assembly 15 opened July 14 with more than 5,000 in attendance at the new building of the Centro Familiar de Adoracion, with a procession of banners from congregations, conferences and other groups from around the world. Worship leader Werner Franz read from John's vision in Revelation about the thousands around the throne of the Lamb and said, "This church is on the way."
A few of the more than 100 indigenous Paraguayan Mennonites who came at once to register on July 14. Photo by Gordon Houser.
The Assembly's theme, "Come Together in the Way of Jesus Christ," framed the worship and Bible study gatherings. In her keynote address, outgoing MWC presiden Nancy Heisey said, "The way of Jesus Christ does not begin with us ... but with God." In order to have the mind of Christ, she said, we must accept our own sins. "Our love of church can be disruptive if it only seeks to protect our fences," she said. "If a church fails to expand, it will perish."
Each morning of the Assembly includes worship and a Bible study. On July 15, Elfriede Veron of Paraguay focused on Philippians 2:1-11. "If we call ourselves Christians," he said, "we must behave as such."
In that evening's worship, Nzuzu Mukawa of Congo spoke on Micah 6:1-8 and called people to follow Jesus' way, which is a "way of justice, a way of peace."
At the July 16 morning worship and Bible study, Antonio Gonzales of Spain focused on the theme "Uniting in Christ" and looked at John 17:16-26. "The glory of the Lord" involves "participating in Jesus' life," in unity.
In that evening's worship, which focused on the same theme, Ditrich Pana of Paraguay called people to experience unity with God.
The Global Youth Summit met July 10-12 for its second meeting. According to Sarah Thompson, who helped organize the meeting, said that about 750 came, "three times what we expected."
The meetings also included workshops on a variety of topics, as well as meetings of various groups.
MWC Assembly 15 will conclude on July 19.
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5,771 register for Assembly 15
From Paraguay: 3,056
From other countries: 2,715
Latin America- 578
Africa- 180
Asia / Pacific- 95
Europe- 366
North America- 1,496
Canada- 730
USA- 766
The above registration figures were compiled on July 17.
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