Who We Are

Mennonite Church Eastern Canada is a diverse community of 106 congregations and 12,500 members and active participants across Eastern Canada. A Regional Church of Mennonite Church Canada, we are transformed by the love of God, inspired by the hope we find in Jesus and called to action by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Identity and Purpose

Mennonite Church Eastern Canada is a diverse community
- Transformed by the love of God
- Inspired by the hope we find in Jesus
- Called to action by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We come together as a Regional Church to:
- Energize congregations in worship, discipleship and mission
- Encourage leaders of hope, vision and transformation
- Embody God's reconciling ministry for all creation

Our Priorities

  • Navigating Change
    Fostering a culture of learning, innovation and adaptability to equip the church to navigate a season of change.
  • Developing Leaders
    Strengthening leadership and equipping individuals to pursue their vocation of church planting, pastoral ministry and lay leadership.
  • Intergenerational Discipleship
    Collaborating with congregations and partners in support of intergenerational discipleship and faith formation.
  • Embracing Diversity
    Inviting and challenging the church to explore the variety and richness of God's people.
  • Seeking Peace and Justice
    Supporting and resourcing congregations to engage peace and justice issues, grounded in Anabaptist-Mennonite theology.

Our Values

  • Beloved-ness – All people before God are equal and have dignity, created in God’s image.
  • Spirituality – Worship and prayer ground us in God's love and connect us to the Spirit’s movement.
  • Transformation – We are curious to see what God is doing in our lives and in the world. We are open to change.
  • Community – We grow, learn and serve best in relationship with others, listening for God together.
  • Hospitality – Everyone is welcome at God’s table of grace.
  • Peace and justice – We are living into God’s Shalom for all creation.

Who We Serve

Congregations

We support congregation who seek connection, growth and shared ministry.

Pastors and Congregational Leaders

We partner with pastors and leaders by providing resources, companionship and opportunities for collaboration.

Individuals Seeking Specific Community Connections

People come to their faith journeys with diverse experiences and needs, for example, those seeking congregations that identify as LGBTQ+ affirming.

Constituent-Based Working Groups

We have three constituency-based working groups who serve the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics.

Creation Care
Palestine Israel Network

Truth and Reconciliation

Embracing Every Story

In MCEC, diversity is understood as a reflection of God’s creative and reconciling work in the body of Christ. It includes differences in culture, ethnicity, language, age, ability, gender, life experience and spiritual expression. 

Diversity is not only acknowledged but embraced as essential to the church’s witness—inviting all people to belong, participate and contribute their unique gifts. Through this, MCEC strives to grow in unity, mutual understanding and Christ-centred love. Rather than seeing these differences as divisions, we recognize them as gifts. 

Rural and Urban Congregational Diversity

Our church family spans both rural and urban communities, each bringing unique strengths, perspectives and ways of living out faith. Rural congregations often reflect close-knit relationships, deep local roots and a strong sense of shared life. Urban congregations bring rich cultural diversity, varied experiences and opportunities to engage with people from many different backgrounds.

Diversity by Church Size

Small churches remind us that the body of Christ is built through deep relationships and shared commitment rather than scale. Small churches serve their communities in ways that are personal, grounded and deeply relational, offering a meaningful witness to God’s grace through close connection and care.
 
Large churches demonstrate how the church can grow to serve individuals across diverse backgrounds, needs and experiences. Large churches create spaces where diversity can flourish, offering opportunities for connection, ministry and transformation as many encounter the life-changing love of God. 

A Discernment Journey

Through the MC Canada Being a Faithful Church process, we entered into a season of prayerful discernment, seeking to listen together for the Spirit’s guidance in areas where we experience difference, including questions related to sexuality. These conversations can be complex and deeply personal. As a diverse church, we honour that faithful people may hold differing perspectives, and we seek to remain rooted in Christ as we walk together. Our commitment is to foster communities where every person is treated with dignity and care, and where honest conversation can take place in a spirit of love.

Intercultural Church

We seek to become a strong intercultural community where the shalom of Christ is our foundation. We are committed to listening, learning and growing with one another in humility and grace.

 

Confession of Faith

This Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective takes its place in this rich confessional history. The historic creeds of the early Christian church, which were assumed as foundational for Mennonite confessions from the beginning, are basic to this confession as well.

This confession is the work of two Mennonite groups in North America, the Mennonite Church (MC) and the General Conference Mennonite Church (GC).

Read our Confession of Faith

Shared Convictions

In these shared convictions we draw inspiration from Anabaptist forebears of the 16th century, who modelled radical discipleship to Jesus Christ. We seek to walk in his name by the power of the Holy Spirit, as we confidently await Christ's return and the final fulfillment of God's kingdom.

Adopted by Mennonite World Conference General Council March 15, 2006

Read our Shared Convictions

Be Involved

Support our Shared Ministry

Your financial support empowers MCEC to be one of the most diverse and vibrant Anabaptist-Mennonite regional churches in North America. Check out the many giving opportunities.

Connect with a Congregation

Use our congregation directory and interactive map to search for congregations in your area. View locations and contact information to help you connect with a congregation near you. 

Stay Informed. Stay Inspired.

Receive weekly updates from MCEC and Mennonite Church Canada, featuring ministry news, church stories, upcoming events and encouraging ways God is working in and through our community.

Join MCEC

Faith Communities
MCEC offers multiple pathways for congregations to join in our shared mission. 

Membership in MCEC

Pastors
Whether you’re new to MCEC, beginning your ministry journey, or discerning a call to pastoral leadership, we would love to walk with you in conversation. 

Contact:

Marilyn Rudy-Froese
Leadership Minister