Witness Summer 2019

Summer 2019 multiply.net

together that the world may know

Witness

Embracing Togetherness

Witness Summer 2019 Contents Editorial: Embracing Togetherness............... 2 Togetherness in Colombia.................................4 Surprised by Jesus.................................................6 Prepared to Serve..................................................10 Uncle.............................................................................. 12 A Life Answer........................................................... 13 Chansone....................................................................14

Staff Editor-in-Chief..............................Randy Friesen Managing Editor..................Mark J.H. Klassen Layout & Design..........................Darcy Scholes Illustration & Design..................... Colton Floris Writing & Prayer Mobilization.......Nikki White Media Director................................ Daniel Lichty Circulation & Administration.......... Ann Wiebe

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Embracing Togetherness Editorial by Randy Friesen I recently returned from a trip to Malawi where we have been walking alongside the leadership of a dynamic church-planting movement. On this trip, I had the privilege of sitting down with two key leaders named Safari and Gilbert. These two men work closely together, despite the fact that they were formerly enemies. In fact, only two years earlier, back in their homeland of Congo, Gilbert murdered Safari’s parents.

The Gospel has the power to bring people together in ways that are truly amazing, to make friends out of enemies, and to transform conflict-ridden refugee camps into beacons of peace and blessing.

I was amazed again to hear Safari’s personal story of faith and courage.

He fled from the civil war in Congo and walked for four months before he finally arrived in the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi. When he arrived, he found the same ethnic tensions within the camp and yet, as he cried out to the Lord for direction, he sensed a call to plant a church there in the midst of the turmoil. Safari believed that the Gospel of reconciliation was enough to transform even the most bitter and wounded lives.

Safari believed that the Gospel of reconciliation was enough to transform even the most bitter and wounded lives.

Then, two years after Safari had planted that church, Gilbert arrived at the camp, no longer as a militia leader but now as a refugee himself. Instead of ignoring him or seeking revenge, Safari chose to engage Gilbert. In fact, he invited him to his home for dinner and then gave him a place to sleep that night. Gilbert gratefully received Safari’s acts of kindness. For the next three years, he stayed in Safari’s home, experiencing the Gospel in action, until he finally gave his life to Christ. Gilbert was discipled and trained, and now serves as a pastor alongside Safari within a network of thirty-six churches with 11,000 baptized believers. It all began in the darkness and desolation of a refugee camp!

The Gospel of peace is bringing reconciliation between enemies in Malawi.

As I sat with these two men of God, I was astounded by the power of the Gospel to transform how we see ourselves and others. Receiving God’s incredible grace, mercy and forgiveness requires that we also understand our incredible value to God. Receiving God’s love for us then prepares us to see the value in every other human being that he has created. The Gospel transforms relationships and communities. “Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more” (Romans 5:20). The heart of reconciliation is God’s mercy to us in Christ. When we respond personally to this good news, it opens us up to a ministry of reconciliation with others.

Safari and his fellow church planters in the refugee camp see themselves not primarily as refugees but as ambassadors of Christ! They have witnessed transformation not only in the camp but in the surrounding Malawian communities. In addition to churches, they have been involved in starting elementary schools, agricultural projects, clean water systems and many other holistic expressions of the love of God. This network of churches has acted as a catalyst to bring Malawians together to pool their resources, serve their communities and reach their people with the Gospel.

These churches are embracing togetherness in a way that is centered on Christ and reflects the values of God’s kingdom. Leaders like Safari and Gilbert have been examples of humility, unity and vision.

In recent years, Safari has been offered emigration visas to both Australia and the US, but he has graciously turned them down. Why? Because he sees himself as an ambassador of the kingdom of God and he is intent on receiving his spiritual inheritance that the Lord Jesus Christ has promised him, which includes Malawi and beyond.

Where is the Lord inviting us to experience the Gospel of reconciliation at a deeper level in our hearts, in our relationships and in our perspective of the world? In this issue of Witness, we will be exploring what togetherness looks like when we receive and share God’s reconciling love in deeper ways. I’m grateful for how our churches worldwide are providing examples of this Gospel of reconciliation and, as a result, are living on a mission of multiplication.

What does “together” mean to Multiply?

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Together first means being in right relationship with God. Jesus died so that each one of us could be reconciled to God and enjoy intimacy with him. Togetherness with God lays a foundation for togetherness with others.

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Together means unity in the Body of Christ. Our commitment to one another within the Mennonite Brethren family and beyond is rooted in the prayer of Jesus, “that they may be one” (John 17).

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Together means strong teams. Jesus has inspired us to do everything in team and to honor the varied contributions of individuals and churches as they serve, pray and/or give.

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Together means effective partnerships. Jesus has called us to join hands with a growing network of national church-planting partners that are eagerly sharing resources and working together that the world may know. multiply.net | 3

Togetherness in Colombia An Interview with Julian David Chávez Uribe, Peacemaker

By Joan Godard

Joan and Trever Godard currently serve with Multiply in Guadalajara, Mexico, but they previously served for fourteen years in Colombia and tasted firsthand the sufferings of the decades-long civil war. Since they left Colombia in 2001, they have still been involved in church partnerships and collaborative peacemaking initiatives within the country. Three years ago, Joan followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and invited a group of leaders together to take part in a unique peace camp in Colombia. The camp was a part of a broader catalytic movement that had hosted similar camps in other conflict zones around the world. Joan felt strongly that Colombia was ready for such an initiative. So many people had become tired of war and desperate for peace — people like Julian, who attended last year’s peace camp and, as a result, will never be the same.

Joan: What was happening in your life when you first heard about the peace camp?

Julian: I was struggling. I had just returned to Colombia from the US where I had completed university studies in Restorative Justice. I wanted to be involved in the peace process that had already begun in my country between the government and the revolutionaries. But I was bitter toward the Church in Colombia, because so many Christians had voted against the peace process.

In my mind, that was a mistake. I believed that the Church could be central to building peace, but instead they pulled out. I resented that, and I sort of gave up.

Fortunately, God didn’t give up on me. He was at work in my heart, healing my hurt and frustration. Through a series of divine appointments, I landed at Torre Fuerte, a Mennonite Brethren church where Tomas Vidal was pastor. Once we met, Tomas told me about the peace camp and invited me to participate.

Joan: What did you enjoy most at the peace camp?

Julian: I loved hearing the stories from the other participants. We all shared very openly. I met people from the Cauca region where the civil war has been the worst. I got to know Lola from a village called La Esperanza, which was the site of a horrible massacre.

Her village has suffered so much. It was very intense 4 | witness

and emotional for me to hear all the stories and to share my own. We were all very different, but we also shared so much in common. We heard from a former police captain who talked about how he served his country as a follower of Jesus, and then from a young man who talked about his journey as a conscientious objector to military service. One night, we prayed for Lola’s brothers who had served with the rebels but were now involved in the peace process. Then, just hours later, we woke up to her wailing after she heard news that one of her brothers had been murdered.

Joan: How did you and the others respond to the news?

Julian: Actually, I was surprised by my response. If this had happened in any other environment, this injustice would have caused a bitter scar in me, to hear about the death of a young man who wanted nothing more than to be reunited with his family. But there at the camp, even with the pain we were all feeling, God was present with us, and I could feel his love. That was almost incomprehensible to me. I knew it had to be from God, because that love wasn’t from me. It was a clear call to seek God more and to understand that the only way to build true peace is with the love of God through Jesus Christ.

Joan: Did that impact your relationship with the Church?

Julian: Yes, my experience at the peace camp has propelled me into a beautiful process of drawing close to the Church, and specifically into a discipleship relationship with Tomas Vidal and into sharing life and studying the Word with other peace camp participants in my city, Bogotá. I’m also taking courses offered by the Mennonite Central Committee in a local church, and I’m learning that, through God and his body, the Church, we can rebuild our country. There is hope if Jesus is the center of our peace.

Joan: It seems that the armed conflict in Colombia has created a deep divide between the rural population and the urban. Those in the cities seem to be uninformed of the suffering in rural settings. How does your peacemaking chapter in Bogotá want to change that reality?

Julian: We had this desire to build a relationship with the people of La Esperanza, the village in Cauca where Lola was from. We didn’t want to just go and help them with basic physical needs, which could create an unhealthy dependence. Rather, we wanted to help them develop their own capacity and encourage interdependence.

Joan: What happened when you visited La Esperanza?

Julian: On our first visit, we just shared life stories together, which created an atmosphere of community and trust. Together with the families of this lovely

town, different ideas began to take shape about how they might rebuild their lives after years of being victims of conflict and violence. One idea surfaced when people were talking about an old, broken sewing machine in town. There was this desire among several of them to learn how to sew clothing and start a selfsustaining business. That was the birth of a project called “Weaving Hope.”

Joan: How is “Weaving Hope” a way to build togetherness?

Julian: We wanted to work together on a common project, to build friendship and understanding. Wherever we’re from, whether rural or urban, our challenges and hopes are similar. Those of us from the city are committed to telling the story of La Esperanza in our urban churches because their story is a reflection of many other rural towns and villages in Colombia that have been damaged by the armed conflict. Together, we need to show what it means to live with Jesus as our peace and to share his love with those around us, especially those who have suffered.

PRAY Pray for peace in Colombia, especially in Cauca where the violence is still the most intense. Pray for the Church, for unity and for mission effectiveness. Pray for young leaders like Julian who believe that Jesus can bring lasting peace to Colombia.

Urban and rural Colombians working together for peace (Julian is in white, third from right).

Surprised by Jesus *All names have been changed for security reasons.

By Mark J.H. Klassen

“I was born in desperate poverty,” stated Youssef about his childhood in West Africa. “When I was very young, my father left us to look for work in another country, and we never saw him again.”

Youssef was taken to the local mosque and handed over to the Imam (mosque leader) to study the Quran. During this time, he was required to go beg for food and money for the Imam. This was a common way of life in a Muslim society that valued the giving of alms to the poor.

When Youssef had the opportunity to go to elementary school, he refused at first, saying that he needed to finish his studies of the Quran. But later, an uncle persuaded him to enroll and Youssef quickly rose to the top of his class.

By the time he graduated from high school, he was encouraged to apply for a scholarship to attend college in the US. Again, he initially refused, saying that he didn’t have the connections to make it happen. But when he finally applied, he received the scholarship and attended West Texas University where he completed a Bachelor of Agri-Business.

Upon returning to West Africa, Youssef was given a stable job in the government and he worked hard to advance his career. He remained a devout Muslim throughout this time, and yet he began to become more focused on his own success.

Eventually, Youssef was granted another scholarship to return to the US to work on a master’s degree. However, when he left West Africa that time, he had no intention of returning. He chose instead to seek US citizenship and pursue the American dream.

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In the US, Youssef again met with success, first in his studies, then in his work. He joined a beef packing company and, after being trained in their head office in Iowa, he was moved to Garden City, Kansas. Youssef was well on his way to living his dream when he had a surprise encounter.

One evening after work, while Youssef was lying in bed in his apartment in Garden City, he had a vision. “I saw the person of Jesus Christ,” he said. “He was clothed in a glowing white robe and gleaming with an intense white light.”

Youssef was fully aware that he was still in his apartment, but he also knew that Jesus was there with him. “Christ approached me,” he explained, “reached out his hand, and placed a wafer in my mouth. I was startled.

Jesus did not say anything to me.”

However, when the vision was over, Youssef knew exactly what was being asked of him: Jesus was inviting him to be his follower.

Though the personal encounter was clear, Youssef was still confused about what he should do next. As he continued to ponder the vision, he became hungry and decided to go to the grocery store to buy some food.

In the grocery store, a man approached him and said, “Hello, I would like to invite you to have supper with me at my home.”

The man was the pastor of a local church. Over the course of the next few days, he led Youssef to faith in Christ and explained what it meant to follow Jesus. Later, he was baptized in a local church in Enid, Oklahoma.

God continued to speak to Youssef through dreams and visions, and eventually it became clear that God was calling him to return to his homeland in West Africa to serve his countrymen and to provide for both their spiritual and physical needs.

Recently, a Muslim man who was known to Youssef was having dreams about Jesus. After several similar experiences, the man said to God, “If it is really you coming to me in my dreams, then send Youssef to visit me.” So the man went outside, sat under a tree and waited.

As he was preparing for his new mission assignment, Youssef met Reyna, a young German woman who had also dedicated her life to serving God. The two decided to get married and to prepare together for their future ministry in West Africa.

That afternoon, Youssef was was tired and on his way home to rest when he had the impression that he needed to go visit that man in his village. He did not know why, but he felt prompted by God to go. As Youssef entered the village, he saw the man sitting under a tree. When the man saw Youssef, he ran over to him and told him that he’d been waiting for him all day. After telling Youssef about his dreams, the man gave his life to Jesus right there and then.

After they eventually settled in Africa, Youssef and Reyna began their ministry, which quickly gained the favor of the local government and people. As the ministry grew and flourished, the couple saw God’s hand of provision in miraculous ways.

One day, Youssef was approached by the leader of another ministry who told him that their organization needed to leave the country in a hurry, so they were forced to quickly sell their property. The price was low at $12,000, but they needed payment by the end of the day. Youssef was interested, but he had no money. However, the very same day, another agency came to Youssef and asked if they could purchase his broken-down vehicle. Apologetically, they said that they could only offer $12,000 for it! Youssef was both surprised and delighted. He humbly accepted their offer and bought the property the same day.

Youssef has also been given many opportunities to share his faith with his countrymen. In light of his own surprise encounter with Jesus, Youssef has been able to explain to others how God speaks through visions and dreams.

God is at work in West Africa and he is using people like Youssef and Reyna to multiply the message of the Gospel. Today, this couple is partnering with several organizations and churches to provide medical services, clean water, agricultural development, evangelistic outreach, women’s ministry, literacy and Gospelcentered radio and television broadcasting to the people of Youssef’s homeland.

PRAY In 2019, Multiply will be sending a young couple from the US to work alongside Youssef and Reyna. Please pray for this newly formed multicultural team as they serve together that the people of West Africa may know Jesus.

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that the world m

may know

Prepared to Serve An Interview about Short-Term Teams with Rebecca Hiebert, Long-Term Worker in Thailand

By Becky Spahr, Short-Term Mission Apprentice

Becky: Why do you enjoy hosting short-term teams?

Rebecca: Our team at Hope Center in Chachoengsao has had the privilege of working with some fabulous teams that came prepared to serve.

Many of these teams were very intentional about sharing the Gospel and they were eager to try new things. They focused on building relationships in the community, not just with each other. When these kinds of teams come to serve with us, they inspire us. Our Thai youth get new ideas for sharing the Gospel and new ideas of how they can work together as a team.

Becky: What kind of impact do short-term teams have on your ministry?

Rebecca: These teams create excitement. Knowing we have extra people coming to serve alongside us gives us extra energy as we plan community outreaches. Whenever a group of foreigners is around, more local people come to see what is going on. This provides us with opportunities to share the Gospel with new people. It also enables us to do some things that we couldn’t do alone. Sometimes we are able to put on English camps at local schools or in government offices. As we meet the felt needs of the community, we gain favor and influence among the people.

Becky: What does it mean for Thai believers to have teams come?

Rebecca: Local believers always enjoy serving together with visiting teams. Relationships grow deeper and become mutually encouraging as they practice partnership. Rather than always having the Thai team be on the receiving end, they are able to give back by helping to host, building relationships, and genuinely caring for the team and praying for them. When teams come back, they are adopted in as part of the family. We have had an incredible relationship with a church in Vancouver that sends a short-term team each year. Some members of that team overlap from previous years, while other members are

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Rebecca (with tray) and Becky (with basket) serving together in Thailand.

new. Each time this team arrives, the chatter begins immediately because we have already established strong relationships with one another. On each return visit, it takes less time to connect and begin to work together. Returning teams provide a sense of accountability too. When they actively participate in our vision for reaching out in a new place, we know they will ask us how that is going, and we need to have an answer.

Becky: What advice would you give to future short-term mission participants?

Rebecca: The most important preparation is spiritual – to spend time with Jesus. People growing in their relationship with God are the best short-term mission participants. Walk in obedience to him and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Your relationship with Jesus affects your relationships with others. The way you interact with one another is important, and how you

serve one another has the potential to make a big impact. Come in a spirit of unity as a team, because that points people to Jesus more than anything.

Prepare yourselves to pay attention to what God is saying and walk in obedience. Do your best to serve in love, forgive quickly, build relationships, and courageously share your faith. And pray lots — because prayer changes things.

GO Do you want to get more involved in God’s mission? Join one of our shortterm mission programs. You’ll not only get amazing opportunities to serve, but you’ll be challenged to apply what you’ve learned in your home context or wherever God may lead you.

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Uncle

By Nikki White

As he lowered himself shakily to the ground, there was a certain sense of relief. At least, he thought to himself, the end would not be violent. Oh Mau lay there, bruised and breathless, and embraced the deep stillness of the Myanmar jungle as he waited to die.

Old age had not gone well for Oh Mau. With the steady waning of his strength and vitality came a steady increase of abuse from his alcoholic son-in-law. In addition, he knew that the burden of caregiving had become untenable for his family. More and more, he was left to fend for himself and to fend off the blows as best he could. Until one day, he decided to choose a different death, and walked quietly out into the jungle.

“Uncle!” a voice called out. The exclamation startled Oh Mau and he squinted weakly, recognizing his former neighbor, Ko Myo, who was quickly approaching him.

Confounded by the sad sight of the old man sprawled out on the ground, Ko Myo knelt beside him. “Uncle, what has happened to you?” he asked with respect and affection in a way that Oh Mau had not heard for a very long time.

As Oh Mau told his story, Ko Myo was filled with compassion. The thought of him dying alone in the jungle was intolerable. Without another word, he simply picked up the old man in his arms and carried him out of the jungle. Only a few hours away, there was a farm where Christ-followers lived who would care for this failing soul.

“I cannot let you die, Uncle,” said Ko Myo firmly. “I will not let you die.”

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Ko Myo carried Oh Mau to the farm where he was bathed, clothed and fed. For a time, they were not certain that he would survive but, as they prayed, the old man began to recover. Oh Mau had never experienced such care before.

Their selfless love amazed him and dispelled the shadow of death over him. In time, he was persuaded that perhaps he could, after all, choose to live.

As he gained strength and gratitude, Oh Mau sought some useful work suitable for his gnarled old hands and sensitive soul. He decided to take up weaving. His face lit up with pleasure and purpose as he spent hours each day weaving bamboo strips into beautiful floor mats, which helped pay for his keep.

Some on the farm called him Oh Mau, but to those that grew to love him, he was known simply as “Uncle.”

“God made you, Uncle,” they told him repeatedly. “He made the whole world and every human being. God loves his creation, and he loves you!”

Slowly, Oh Mau began to believe them. Then, when he finally grasped the enormity of that love, portrayed by the sacrifice of Jesus on a cross, Oh Mau gladly confessed his sins and welcomed Jesus as his Savior and Lord.

On the day of his baptism at the farm, Uncle Oh Mau said, “I know God is love, because no one had ever loved me like this before. With all the days that are left to me, I will serve him.”

A Life Answer *All names have been changed for security reasons.

By workers in Central Asia Several years ago, Rahim and Jada took their young child with them and moved from their poor village in Central Asia to the big city, hoping that city life would be better.

Rahim began working up to sixteen hours a day, six days a week. But the income was still not enough to provide daily bread and rent for his small family. Eventually, his wife Jada started cleaning houses for families in the neighborhood, but when she fell ill, it seemed as though their situation was becoming hopeless. As Muslims, they prayed every day, fervently and desperately, asking Allah for some solution.

As Jada was sleeping, a man in white appeared to her.

In the middle of their turmoil, one night as Jada was sleeping, a man in white appeared to her. He said that he could give her eternal salvation, but that she needed to ask for “a life answer” from a certain woman who lived in one of the apartments that she was cleaning. It seemed like a strange instruction, but Jada decided that she had nothing to lose. So she went to speak with the woman in her apartment. When Jada told the woman about her dream, the woman explained that she was a follower of this “man in white” and his name was Jesus.

The woman invited Jada to her church, where she heard and gladly received the message of grace, love, and salvation through Jesus Christ. After a short time, Jada’s husband Rahim also accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Since then, the couple has been growing spiritually, and they have become very connected with a local group of believers meeting in their neighborhood. Together, they testify to the great victory that Jesus won in their lives, how he shined a beautiful light into their darkness and gloom.

Jada has been transformed, healed of her illness and filled with joy, telling everyone about the “life answer” she found in Jesus Christ.

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were also never able to have children of their own, which was a difficult reality for her to face, especially within her own culture. In addition, she struggled to understand whether she was more American or Laotian. These personal challenges were magnified as she made the move to Southeast Asia and embraced a life of ministry alongside her husband. She relied heavily on him and often took her place behind the scenes and out of the spotlight that was shining on him.

Chansone May 10, 1957 - March 15, 2019 On March 15, 2019, a motor vehicle accident in Southeast Asia took the life of a Laotian woman named Chansone, a quiet hero of the faith who loved her people and her ministry. What made this woman so special to so many people in this part of the world?

She and her husband, both originally from Laos, immigrated to the United States, but after twenty-eight years in California they moved back to Southeast Asia in 2011. From Thailand, they served full-time among their people, the Khmu, and invested in a new and vibrant church-planting movement that was gaining momentum in the region.

However, it was not easy at first for Chansone to be back in Southeast Asia. Although her husband was celebrated as a key leader and organizer of the expanding network, she struggled at times to find her place. In fact, during the first few months, on many occasions, she told her husband, “I want to go home.

Let’s go back to California.”

Eventually, her sentiment changed dramatically, but not without struggle and perseverance.

Chansone battled against fears and insecurities. She had grown up in a very poor family in Laos, and had never received a formal education. Even after years in the US, she never learned to read and write. She and her husband 14 | witness

More than anyone else, Chansone’s husband knew the critical role that his wife had played in his own journey.

And he knew that they would have never returned to Southeast Asia if it had not been for her undying belief in him, which was inspired by a mature and persistent faith in God. Her husband was quick to recall the experience, while they were still in the US, when he went through a time of doubting and even returned to drinking. Chansone never gave up on him. She kept pushing him to make something of his life, to which he had responded, “What do you want from me?”

Chansone had spoken sharply to him, “I only want you to be the man of God that I thought you would become when I married you.”

That encounter, which proved to be a major turning point in their lives, mirrored another encounter at the very beginning of their relationship in Laos when he had ended up in prison. Chansone had not only visited him behind bars and provided food for him, but eventually she negotiated with prison officials for his release and proceeded to bail him out. She had saved him, and he knew it. Soon after, they were married, fled the country and became refugees en route to the US.

Her ministry blossomed as more and more people came to rely on her generosity and care.

Years later, Chansone’s husband had become the man of God she had hoped and prayed for. She was happy to follow his lead, although she also needed to find her own identity in the ministry that God had called them to in Thailand. By God’s grace, she refused to be dragged down by her limitations. She resisted the temptation to compare herself with others, especially other women in ministry who had different gifts. In addition to supporting her husband, she began to find joy and fulfillment in her gift of hospitality. She learned to serve simply and humbly and to care deeply for those that God sent to her. She found that other women, especially

the wives of church leaders, were drawn to her and appreciated her loving support. Before long, her home became a haven for visitors, co-workers, relatives and anyone in need. Her ministry blossomed as more and more people came to rely on her generosity and care.

Eventually, Chansone was heard saying, “This is my home.

I never want to leave.” Whenever they made trips back to California, she was always ready to return to Thailand.

Over the years, she continued to endure tests and trials, including imprisonment, breast cancer, and distance from extended family in the US, but she never questioned her calling to serve God, to serve her husband and to serve her people. So she chose to stay, to face her fears, and to persevere.

That is why so many in Southeast Asia will miss her — those who were inspired by her example, the families she cared for, the women she encouraged, and the husband she stood by.

The recent accident cut short Chansone’s life on earth.

Yet, in Christ, she has only passed from one life to another. She will be remembered as someone who loved Jesus and served him faithfully with the gifts that he gave her. She will be greatly missed by her husband, her family and her fellow workers, yet her legacy will endure in this world and she will live forever with Jesus.

By Bob Davis and Mark J.H. Klassen “Mom Chansone set a great example of how to serve God and how to be a mom. She was especially loved by the wives of our leaders, but we were all impacted by her actions and learned from her example. She encouraged many with her sense of humor and the joy of her smiling face. Her loss has brought us hurt, pain, sorrow and broken hearts. But we know that she is now with the Lord, and she is waiting for us.”

Bounmee, Khmu Pastor, on behalf of the churches

PRAY Please pray for Chansone’s family, that God would give them comfort in their loss. Pray also for the many others in Southeast Asia, in the US, and around the world who are mourning the passing of this hero of the faith.

Ask God to raise up many more caregivers like Chansone among the Khmu churches to carry on her legacy of hospitality and love.

Multiply Strategy Update

By Brent Warkentin, Multiply Board Chair For many years, the Mennonite Brethren family has generously housed and supported an interdenominational church-planting network, formerly called C2C Network. In 2017, C2C was merged with MB Mission to become Multiply and there was a new and exciting emphasis on combining our local, national and global mission efforts. North America effectively became our eighth region of global mission. One result was that Multiply began to resource church planting in North America with both the Canadian and US MB conferences, along with many other denominations.

However, during our first year of combined budgeting, joining our global services with North American interdenominational services left us with a significant gap in funding. We recognized that radical shifts were required to better serve both our MB family and our broader network. After consultation with our various partners, the Board of Multiply has made two significant strategy shifts: 1. We believe that the best way forward for the MB family and for this interdenominational network is for Multiply to release C2C with our blessing to become its own entity, not only in its scope and mandate, but now also in its oversight and financial support. Multiply will maintain a focus on planting and resourcing MB churches locally, nationally, and globally.

2. Multiply will also restructure shortterm mission training programs with a renewed focus on serving the mission and discipleship strategies of local churches, both in North America and globally. Current training programs will continue and new programs will be birthed through local church partnerships.

These shifts will refocus Multiply as an MBbased church-planting network that seeks to serve with kingdom partnerships, rather than a multi-denominational church-planting network that serves the MB family. Although these shifts will be challenging, our desire is that they will result in organizational health and even greater kingdom advancement in the future. multiply.net | 15

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