Forty pastors and leaders from across MCEC gathered at 50 Kent on April 24, 2026 for a rich conversation with Pablo Kim, reflecting together on Building Mennonite Belonging: Toward an Intercultural Church—also the title of Pablo’s book.

Breaking bread and baptism, radical hospitality and the shared discernment in community have long shaped us as Anabaptists.

Pablo, an ordained MCEC pastor, is the Intercultural Liaison with the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He supports congregations and church leaders in fostering an intercultural church where people meet across differences, and where everyone feels they fully belong.

Belonging and becoming, he said, are key to nurturing an intercultural church.

Pablo reminded us that the Spirit’s own signature is on the biblical vision of interculturality. He noted that this vision also rises from the “ferment of Mennonite principles and best practices.” Breaking bread and baptism, radical hospitality and the shared discernment in community have long shaped us as Anabaptists.

“Are we ready to move forward?”

Belonging and becoming, he said, are key to nurturing an intercultural church. “We need both – and they are not the same.” Belonging means making room so people are welcomed not as guests but as family. Becoming is the intentional work of a community shaping and reshaping itself through shared commitment and relationship. “Belonging without becoming is inclusion without transformation, and becoming without belonging is change without relational depth.” He reminded us that the church is called to love across our deepest differences.

A time of questions and conversations followed. Some were eager to move deeper toward practical ways of living out these truths. “What are some guiding questions to help our congregations move in this direction?” one pastor asked.

“Ah!” Pablo replied with a smile. “That’s my third book coming out in November!” He emphasized that each context is different and to always ask “Why?” and “Are we ready to move forward?”

He reminded us that the church is called to love across our deepest differences.

As the conversation wrapped up, there was a shared sense of energy in the room. Pastors expressed gratitude for both the challenge and encouragement, trusting that the Spirit continues to lead us toward a church where every person can truly belong and become.