Sunday Night: We're From Everywhere

Tonight’s session was full and rich. The focus: we are from everywhere. The "we" refers to us as Mennonite Brethren and "everywhere" means from all over the U.S. and beyond. There were some exceptional features that focused this theme.

A special video featured interviews and snapshots of various youth groups from the five districts and 50+ churches that are represented at Anaheim 07. Names of states and churches scrolled across the screen as teens screamed and cheered for their respective territories.

Tabor professor Wendell Loewen gave the best, most concise, most youthful 10-minute history of the Mennonite Brethren church I’ve ever heard. He moved through a definition of Anabaptism, to Russia, to North America, to the five districts (Southern, Central, LAMB, North Carolina and Pacific). And a crowd of 1100 sat in silence, with complete attention – proof that this generation longs to connect with their roots.

Above: Wendell speaks to the students about the history of the Mennonite Brethren denomination

Another highlight of the evening (if not the entire conference) was a live 10-minute teleconference via internet with Saji and Bindu Oommen from New Deli, India. The Oommens gave an exciting account of their work in India and a passionate challenge for students to pursue a life of mission and service. They even invited all 1100 to come and visit. Catch the whole interview here. Be patient as it loads, it's 30mb (that's megabytes, not Mennonite Brethren), but it's worth the wait!

Finally, Roy Crowne spoke with conviction about the need to serve God everywhere. He called for a decision from those who believe that God has called them to service, possibly foreign service, in his kingdom. Students and leaders gathered together at the front of the room for a time of prayer and commitment.

Above: Roy challenges students to commit themselves to ministry

Comments

[Shawna Vogt]

Can you put Wendell Loewen's 10 minute speech on the blog. Thank you!

[Tim]

Shawna, I wish I could put Wendell's presentation up on the blog. However, we didn't video it. Looking back, I sure wish I would have got it. Maybe we'll have to have him do it again....