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Re-Affirming Bulawayo — a statement by the Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee
07 August 2002

In July 2000 the Mennonite World Conference General Council accepted with enthusiasm the invitation of the Brethren in Christ Church, Zimbabwe Conference to hold the next world assembly, in Bulawayo in August 2003.

Since the July 2000 decision, Zimbabwe has frequently been in the international news. This has generated questions, particularly in North America and Europe, about the wisdom of holding an assembly in this country.

After three days of reporting, discussion and prayer, we unanimously reaffirmed the earlier decision. We listened to spokespersons of the church describe Zimbabwe reality and worshipped in six of the 14 Brethren in Christ congregations in the peaceful city of Bulawayo.

We were moved by the planning being done by the local Brethren in Christ committees. The chair of the prayer committee reported that all congregations are having monthly prayer sessions to prepare for the assembly. They are especially “praying that international congregations will not be afraid and that they will come” to Bulawayo. The biblical phrase “fear not” permeates the testimony of the Brethren in Christ Church in Zimbabwe.

As representatives of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ around the world, we want our decisions to be rooted in the gospel and the church, which as the body of Christ lives amidst a variety of human situations. We believe the church is called to be present as a sign and announcement of God’s love for the world. MWC exists to support member churches wherever they are located. We urge all member churches to accept the responsibilities of interdependence and solidarity with each other. As Mennonites and Brethren in Christ, with our long commitment to the way of peace and suffering for righteousness sake, we stand ready to meet in strategic locations throughout the world.

We are mindful of the turbulence of our world since the conspicuous events of September 11, 2001, as well as turmoil on the African continent. Zimbabwe, like other nations, has its share of political and economic problems. It is precisely in such a time and place as this that the theme of our assembly “Sharing Gifts in Suffering and in Joy” represents our calling and commitment.

Our committee has been inspired by its interaction with the Brethren in Christ in Zimbabwe. We listened as local church members observed problems in Zimbabwe public life and that these sometimes affect church members. They do not foresee problems for international visitors. These church representatives invite those attending Africa 2003 to come to Zimbabwe with the eyes of faith, rather than with views influenced only by politics or the media.

While in Bulawayo members of our committee and staff consulted widely with local civic leaders as well as with the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic spokespersons. All these people, representing a variety of viewpoints, encouraged MWC to hold its world assembly in Bulawayo and pledged their cooperation.

After enjoying the hospitality and fellowship of the Brethren in Christ, after experiencing the situation on the ground, after listening to the voices of God’s people in Africa, the MWC Executive Committee is convinced that God is indeed calling worldwide Mennonite and Brethren in Christ family to convene in Bulawayo next year. We expect a large body of constituents to come to Bulawayo August 11-17, 2003. All of us will be inspired by fellowship with sisters and brothers from around the world, and we will learn from and bring encouragement to the church in Africa, especially the church in Zimbabwe.

For the glory of God and the peacemaking witness of the people of God.