Photo: Participants of the Global Education Conference spent time networking and getting to know one another during meal times. Photo by Reuben Friesen

“Like a Tree Planted: Anabaptist Spirituality in Education,” the Global Education Conference of Mennonite World Conference attracted over 100 Anabaptist educators and leaders from 13 countries around the world.

The summit took place July 16-19 at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Lansdale, Pa. Due to challenges in obtaining visas several participants were unable to attend. These persons were remembered throughout the conference with prayer and the visual reminder of an empty table and chairs.

Keynote speakers and workshop leaders explored the question: “What is an Anabaptist spirituality?” Keynote speaker John D. Roth, director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism, reminded participants that Anabaptist spirituality is “a pedagogy of transformation. We are created for intimacy and shalom. Fear and mistrust result in sin and broken relationships, and like the exiles from Eden, we continue to experience God’s patient work of restoration.”

During his keynote Hippolyto Tshimanga, Mennonite Church Canada director of Africa, Europe and Latin America ministry, challenged listeners to think of Anabaptist spirituality as, “What you do with that of God in you.

The practices of watchfulness, prayer, community, lectio devina, and songs are all transformative exercises that deepen our intoxication with God. Tshimanga reminded the educators that “cultural values shape us and we must be attentive to faith values and practices that open us to God’s Holy Spirit.”

“Anabaptist Spirituality: Peace Making in Educational Settings,” presented by Paulus Widjaja, professor of theology at Duta Wacana Christianity University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, called educators to “view character formation as peace education. We have to intentionally and purposely acquire certain virtues in order to have the character of a peacemaker,” he said. He then quoted Ian M. Harris & Mary Lee Morrison, “Peace education involves ‘both a philosophy and a process involving skills… to transform society by nurturing a peaceful consciousness that condemns violent behavior.’”

The closing keynote, “Risking Everything to Plant Trees” was presented by Sara Wenger Shenk, president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. Wenger Shenk explored how “education is primarily about empowering persons to choose a “comprehensive vision of the good.” Any truly Anabaptist education will be shaped by “world creating” and astonishing scriptural visions for God’s shalom.”

On Friday conference participants visited local Mennonite schools: Quakertown Christian School, Penn View Christian School, The City School, Lancaster Mennonite School (2 campuses) and Hinkletown Mennonite School, as well as historical and cultural sites.

Workshops met throughout the four day conference and aimed to provide practical applications for educators and their schools. Restorative discipline, child safety, curriculum development, Anabaptist pedagogy and online learning were a few of the topics explored through the workshops.

The group of 100 participants has formed a network of Anabaptist education leaders who hope to continue to work together.

“We are grateful for the information we learned that will strengthen the educational experiences of our children and youth, “said Elaine Moyer, senior director of Mennonite Education Agency of Mennonite Church USA. “Educational leaders influence the curriculum, faith and values that transform education in Anabaptist Mennonite schools. We look forward to student and faculty exchanges that will likely emerge from this network of leaders.”

Participants were eager to take their learning from the conference and implement them in their own settings.

Florente Muaku Kinana a representative of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Congo said, “I thank God for the time I spent at the Global Mennonite Education Conference. This time was wonderful because we were able to share our experiences with each other; what we are doing as Anabaptists in our schools. I plan to share this experience with our school when I return home.”

Much time and effort went into planning the conference. Participants expressed appreciation for the efforts of the planning committee and all those who worked to ensure a successful event.

Georgiana Giddie a participant from India echoed the words of the other conference participants by saying, “I had a great time sharing and learning. Praise be to God for this unique opportunity to be a part of this experience. A big thank you to the organizers and speakers who put in a lot of hard work. It is much appreciated. I will return to India to implement some of the teachings I’ve learned and the fond memories I have from the Global Education Conference.”