JOIN A WITNESS SUPPORT NETWORK

Extend your hands across the table to learn
from brothers and sisters around the world.

How can congregations participate?

  • Each Network focuses on one ministry. Choose a ministry that your congregation is excited about. There are many to learn about. Go to mennonitechurch.ca/international-witness.

  • Congregations supporting the same ministry are in a Network together. Representatives from each community meet online for encouragement and ideas. In this way, Networks offer more ways to connect with congregations across the country.

  • Mennonite Church Canada and regional churches help facilitate your Networks. Witness workers and/or international partners take active roles in the Networks by giving updates on their ministries and learning about their supporting Canadian congregations.

  • Congregations identify how best to contribute to their Network. Learning, giving, praying, visiting and working together are just the beginning. The opportunities are endless. Networks are built on years of support given to

    International Witness from congregations across Canada.

Friends of Grace Church Association celebrates the opening of its office in Thailand.

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:

  1. Generate financial support
  2. Form and nurture relationships between Witness workers and supporters
  3. Provide personal support and care for Witness workers
  4. Create opportunities of congregational engagement
  5. 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

 

Mennonite Church Canada International Witness invites Canadian Mennonite congregations to participate in Witness Support Networks
Jan 5th, 2021

Mennonite Church Canada International Witness invites Canadian Mennonite congregations to participate in Witness Support Networks

Mennonite Church Canada’s International Witness program invites congregations across its nationwide community of faith to join networks of support for Mennonite Church Canada’s International Witness ministries.

“Being part of the network for the Philippines reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We see the work that is being done in the name of God’s kingdom,” said Marlene Friesen from Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

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