Dec. 5, 2011 issue
Conference in India celebrates centennial
By Mennonite Weekly Review staffDhamtari, India — The Mennonite Church in India celebrated its 100th anniversary Oct. 27-30 with a gathering of about 1,000 people at Sunderganj Mennonite Church.
Worshipers gather at Sunderganj Mennonite Church for the centennial celebration of the Mennonite Church in India. — Photo by Photo provided by Myron and Esther Augsburger
The MCI is one of four Anabaptist groups in India related to Mennonite World Conference. The others are the Mennonite Brethren Church in India, the Bharatiya General Conference Mennonite Kalisiya, and the Brethren in Christ.
The MCI traces its origins to a 1912 meeting in Balodgahan convened by Mennonite mission workers and visiting representatives of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, who together drafted a constitution.
MCI moderator and bishop C.F. Nath said it is important to remember the “foundation stones” of the past.
“We have to develop them for our future and keep them active according to our constitution,” he said. “These 100 years are full of experiences and information. We have to learn from them and go ahead with new ideas, new energy, new assurance and new vision, so that we may glorify our almighty God and our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.”
Myron S. Augsburger of Harrisonburg, Va., who attended the festivities with his wife, Esther, noted that Westerners have stepped aside over time, allowing leadership to emerge from the Indian community of faith.
“Having visited the church in Chhattisgarh on several occasions over the past 40 years, I am impressed with the work of the Spirit in creating greater unity, resolving conflicts, enhancing the sense of community in the love of Christ and developing a stronger sense of mission as a people sharing God’s reconciling grace,” he said.
The focus of the conference came from Rev. 3:3: “Remember therefore what you have received and heard. Obey it and repent.”
Comments
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It's great to see all the ladies covering their heads in church. I hope more people in the U.S. will follow their example!
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Why is it all ladies in this church? Where are the men?
If there was a menno church in the U.S. where the women were required to wear Indian saris, I would go there.
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Benny Blanco, eh? I thought my moniker was kind of clever, but you got me beat. Is that you, CK????
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