Brazilians worshiped with international guests in Curitiba on April 6 at Mennonite World Conference’s annual Renewal event.

The gathering at Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas do Boqueirão-Cruz Verde occurred after two days of workshops for leaders and pastors of Mennonite churches in Brazil.

Representatives from around the world shared how God is bringing people into communion with each other and with God.

MWC Executive Committee member Amos Chin shared about the civil war in Myanmar. “In the midst of extreme hardship, our members lived the Anabaptist teaching not to engage in armed violence,” he said. “And God is at work. There’s no slowdown in church growth.”

Southeast Asia regional representative Agus Mayanto of Indonesia shared a testimony of fostering 120 underprivileged and abused children. “Since we are saved by grace, we have this passion to have others experience this grace,” he said.

Fifty-two MWC guests attended 12 local Mennonite churches. They preached and shared testimonies from their countries.

The MWC Executive Committee met April 8-11 in Curitiba.

Beginning in 2017 in Europe and culminating in 2028 in Ethiopia, Renewal events commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement and celebrate Anabaptist vitality today.