World Of Witness - Paraguay

online or explore other Giving options

Ministry

Mennonite Church Canada  relates to the Convención Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay (CONEMPAR) the Spanish-speaking Mennonite church conference and to the Centro Evangélico Menonita del Teología Asunción (CEMTA). CONEMPAR was formed in 1990 from congregations that emerged out of mission efforts of the German-speaking churches and North American mission workers. CONEMPAR is engaged in evangelism, initiating mission work, promoting fraternal relationships between congregations, Christian education, and providing service and education opportunities. Witness provides financial support for leadership training, encouragement and mutual support for women through retreats, pastoral subsidies for new churches, and outreach. CONEMPAR has young and energetic leadership with a vision to strengthen cooperation among Mennonites in the country. They are working hard at discipleship training and evangelism.

Centro Evangélico Menonita del Teología Asunción (CEMTA) is an international Mennonite training center with more than 50 years of history, starting in 1956 as SEMT in Uruguay, and since 1977 in Paraguay as CEMTA. CEMTA provides university level studies in the areas of Theology and Music, preparing students for work in churches, missions, service agencies and schools. 

Celebrations

• CONEMPAR leadership is blessed with a vision for outreach in local communities and a vision for mission.
• Young people are emerging with interest in theological study and interest in service. In 2007, all CONEMPAR pastors and their wives participated in a series of “222” (2 Timothy 2:2) leadership training and resourcing retreats.
• CEMTA programs continue to grow locally. A Study Centre for Anabaptist and Peace Theology is being developed to resource scholars in and beyond Paraguay.
• CONEMPAR is preparing to host the Cono Sur gathering of South American Mennonite churches in 2011.
• Allison Pauls began a 3 year teaching assignment at CEMTA in 2010.

Challenges

• Some CONEMPAR churches struggle in low income communities and leaders must be creative and resourceful in ministering to their members and in receiving sufficient financial support.
• Higher unemployment rates in some church communities leads to increased mobility among members in search of jobs. Discipling new believers and growing leaders in this context of transience is a challenge for churches and pastors.
• Working with new believers requires resources, opportunities and leaders equipped to provide Bible instruction in the local churches.

Partners

• Mennonite Mission Network (MMN)
• Convención Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay (CONEMPAR–Evangelical Mennonite Church of Paraguay)
• Centro Evangélico Menonita del Teología Asunción (CEMTA–Evangelical Mennonite Center of Theology in Asuncion)

Worker

• Allison Pauls

View Larger Map