Who is MWC?

Councils

Networks & Projects

News & Testimony

Publications

World Assembly: Africa 2003

World Directory

Site Map

Seventeen Reasons for Moving Ahead on Africa 2003
by Ferne Burkhardt

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — "If MWC is to continue to represent global Mennonites and Brethren in Christ, we need to come to Bulawayo. Not to come would send a profoundly unfortunate message to the majority of Christians and Mennonites who now live in Africa, Asia and Latin America." John A. Lapp based this conclusion on what he had heard during three days of discussion here.

Lapp, executive secretary emeritus of Mennonite Central Committee, was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe during meetings of the Mennonite World Conference executive committee. He, along with Jethro Dube, MCC co-director in Zimbabwe, served as a listener to discussion on the feasibility of holding Africa 2003, the 14th MWC assembly, in Bulawayo next year. Lapp, from Pennsylvania (U.S.A.), currently coordinates the MWC Global Mennonite History Project.

On Sunday afternoon, August 4, the executive met in small groups for reflection, discussion, prayer and fasting. In the evening, Lapp made the following report:

I heard:

1. "Woza! Welcome. Come, God has something here for you;"
2. that the host Brethren in Christ Church invites us enthusiastically and that their "hearts would break" if Africa 2003 did not materialize;
3. that there is excitement about the assembly theme and program and the opportunity for fellowship and exchange of insights with Christians from more than 50 countries;
4. that the Christian church offers hope in Zimbabwe and that coming here will bring encouragement and inspire hope in the visitors;
5. that the political and religious leaders in Bulawayo, representing a variety of viewpoints, welcome us and do not consider current problems as reasons not to come;
6. that there are critical issues in Zimbabwe related to the government, the economy, food shortages, some public mismanagement and HIV/AIDS, all of which receive much media attention;
7. that the critical issues in Zimbabwe are not nearly as acute as political conflicts in Congo, religious violence in Indonesia, economic despair in Uruguay or personal safety in the U.S.;
8. that caution is needed in making public statements about the political realities in Zimbabwe;
9. that despite some lawlessness, mostly in rural areas and during political campaigns, most people consider Zimbabwe a safe country for its citizens and international visitors;
10. that our world is turbulent and that it is impossible to have a foolproof assembly or any other meeting anywhere at any time;
11. that U.S. Mennonites and BICs have expressed their insecurities, fears and skepticism about travelling to Zimbabwe and are subject to misinformation and distorted interpretation;
12. that if an assembly cannot be held in Bulawayo, it can likely not be held anywhere in the southern hemisphere where the majority of Mennonites and BICs now live;
13. that it is no more outrageous to meet in Bulawayo than to be convinced that the church is global and universal and that the assembly is one way for the church to be seen as the worldwide body of Christ;
14. that the assembly budget is based on 1500 international and 4000 Zimbabwean participants;
15. that risky endeavours require vision, prayer, courage and good planning.

1. anyone say the assembly should not be held in Bulawayo in response to the executive secretary's question to the executive committee, "What is God calling us to do with Africa 2003?" or
2. any hint from the BIC Church in Bulawayo that the assembly should not be held here.