Intercultural Church
Intercultural Church Workshop
(PCCL 2021)
Join Dr. Safwat Marzouk from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary as he guides our discussion on Intercultural Church at the annual Pastors, Chaplains and Congregational Leaders Event. Safwat Marzouk offers a biblical vision for what it means to be an intercultural church, one that fosters just diversity, integrates different cultural articulations of faith and worship, and embodies an alternative to the politics of assimilation and segregation. A church that fosters intercultural identity learns how to embrace and celebrate difference, which in turn enriches its worship and ministry.
Session 1: Theological Reflections and Definitions
Session2: Practical Biblical Aspects of Intercultural Church
Intercultural Church Conversation with Norm and Fanosie
"Intercultural Church is not a choice but it is a MUST that God is calling us to," says Fanosie Legessee, MCEC Intercultural Mission Minister. He encourages us to examine our own assumptions as we encounter each other. "We have already encountered each other - we've already begun," he says.
Join Norm Dyck and Fanosie Legesse as they talk about challenges, encouragement and vision of growing into an intercultural church.
Intercultural Ministry is No More A Dream
MCEC has been very intentional to make disciples of Jesus, grow congregations, and form leaders that represent this reality of a mini-globe. We believe that it is now time to create a space where disciples of every nation, congregations with different cultural backgrounds and leaders of every color of the globe overtly serve each other with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Intercultural ministry is just that.
As Intercultural Mission Minister, it is my commitment to invite MCEC individuals and congregations to intentionally grow in knowing and understanding each others’ cultures, in developing listening skills and genuine interest, and in cultivating attitudes of openness, curiosity and discovery. I dream to see the church thrive in allowing the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ among us using disciples of every nation, congregations of every language and leaders of every color of people.
"I can see this church coming"
Intercultural mission minister shares vision of the church
Part educator, part listener, part mentor and part bridge-builder. The mandate for Fanosie Legesse, appointed as Mennonite Church Eastern Canada’s intercultural mission minister in March 2020, is broad. But, as someone who has always bridged cultural gaps, Legesse says, “I cannot help but think that throughout my whole life God was giving me an opportunity to grow, in preparation for this position.” He envisions a church that accepts, interacts and shares gifts and resources across languages, nations and tribes; that “shares each other’s burdens and prays for each other”; and “allows the Holy Spirit to express worship, discipleship and proclamation in many, many languages, with joy, with expectation and with urgency.”
Prayer from Leah Reesor-Keller at MCEC Pastors, Chaplains, Congregational Leaders Event.