Church leaders from nine African nations joined together for the first International Community of Mennonite Brethren African regional summit April 30-May 3 in Uganda.
Hosted in Mityana, Uganda, by the Lifehouse Community Churches of Uganda, the event was the first exposure for Ugandan churches to the International Community of Mennonite Brethren since joining the organization in 2024.
Delegates and church leaders from Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Malawi participated along with leaders and missionaries from Burundi, Namibia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Ethiopia. Guests from Brazil, Canada, France and the United States also attended.
With the theme “Together on Mission,” the summit focused on holistic development, calling new leaders and discipleship in Africa. The opening celebration welcomed nearly 400 people from throughout Uganda and included worship, dancing and choreography, messages, African flags and a fellowship meal. Watch the livestream of the opening ceremony.
A chance to connect
For many, the summit offered the first opportunity to connect with other leaders in similar ministry roles. Church leaders represented women, youth, training and mission ministries for each conference. Attendees participated in team-building activities as well as ministry equipping training.
“The fellowship, prayers and discussions created a strong sense of unity, connection and mutual encouragement that I will carry with me beyond the summit,” says Melvin Banda, youth leader from Malawi.
Kanda Matondo, training leader from Angola, was impressed by the “fraternal communion, marked by transparency, simplicity and humility among the participants.”
The summit concluded with communion, foot washing and prayer.
Reflecting on the event, Chisomo Mwale, women’s leader from Malawi, shares the need to find strength to serve.
“We must be strong, faithful and courageous as Esther so that we may serve our families and churches,” Mwale says. “God values us and gave us important responsibilities.”
To strengthen the connection to local churches, summit participants visited six nearby Lifehouse Community Churches on Sunday, sharing testimonies, devotionals and preaching with translation in Luganda, the local language.
Mponye appointed African regional coordinator
Moving forward, delegates appointed Robert Mponye, Ugandan Mennonite Brethren church planter and leader, as the African regional coordinator.
Mponye envisions “leaders of the current conferences will have a separate group, which is intended for our prayer, edification, planning and brainstorming for the growth of Africa.”
The various ministry groups will continue to communicate and explore ways of collaborating in ministry together with a vision for greater church and mission collaboration in Africa.
Additional regional summits
The International Community of Mennonite Brethren will have three additional regional summits in the month of June.
- Asia: June 1-7 in Bangkok, Thailand
- Conferences will include: India, Japan, Laos, Philippines, Thailand
- Emerging groups: Bangladesh, Myanmar, North India
- Europe: June 4-7 in Torun’, Poland
- Conferences: Austria, Germany-AMBD, Germany-BEFTG, Germany-VMBB, Lithuania
- Emerging groups: Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine (joining as regional members); Portugal
- Latin America: June 26-29 in Cali, Colombia
- Conferences: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay-AHM, Paraguay-MVD, Peru, Uruguay
- Emerging groups: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador
With files from Victor Wiens, International Community of Mennonite Brethren
This article has been posted by Christian Leader staff. The Christian Leader is the magazine of U.S. Mennonite Brethren.
