How does a Witness Support Network work?
Each network is a partnership between:
•your congregation and other congregations who wish to support the same ministry,
•your regional church,
•Mennonite Church Canada
•and our Witness workers.
Together, each network reaches out to international partners with the goal of nurturing mutually transformative relationships.
How can I be involved?
Congregations desire to be involved in various ways. The Witness Support Network Covenant suggests ways each member can contribute to their network. Discern together with your missions/service committee how you would like to participate. Each congregation’s gifts are unique so every Network Covenant of support is unique.
Tasks for congregations change depending on the Witness workers and area of ministry, but may include:
- distributing e-mails/printed newsletters written by Witness workers
- organizing annual fundraisers
- sending e-mails and encouragement to Witness workers
- contacting other congregations to encourage giving toward international ministries
- connecting with international partners online or in person through visits/learning tours
- sharing prayer requests with the larger church family and praying regularly.
Many of these are things congregations have already done for years. For this we are grateful!
Why is this important?
We meet our priorities
Congregations supporting international ministry help meet the five priorities of Mennonite Church Canada international-ministry initiatives:
- Generate financial support
- Form and nurture relationships between Witness workers and supporters
- Provide personal support and care for Witness workers
- Create opportunities of congregational engagement
- Nurture relationships with international partners.
We nurture sustainable support
Witness Support Networks allow congregations to engage in international ministries in ways that are sustainable and meaningful for church members. Through the Networks, the congregation informs, inspires and connects with Witness workers to form relationships across political and ethnic borders through ministry together.
We connect our congregations
Congregations choose a representative to meet online with other representatives of other supporting congregations for encouragement and ideas. This forms important connections between congregations. Regional church staff and Mennonite Church Canada staff support you as you get to know each other. Witness workers may also attend meetings to get to know their supporting Canadian congregations.
Interested? Contact your regional church representative:
MCA – Tim Wiebe Neufeld
MCBC – Kevin Barkowsky
MCEC – Norm Dyck
MCM – Rick Neufeld
MC Sask – Josh Wallace