“Do we know what it means to ­remove chains?” asked Joanne ­Gallardo, co-conference minister for Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Con­ference, at Mennonite Church USA’s 11th Hope for the Future conference on Feb. 9-11 in Dallas.

Seventy Black, Indigenous and people of color considered the theme, “Breaking Chains, Mending Walls,” which centered on Isaiah 58.

“Every year, we’re trying to see where we are as a church, reading the times and trying to find a message of hope,” said Sue Park-Hur, MC USA director of racial/ethnic engagement.

Park-Hur shared how the passage resonated with members of the planning committee — Marco Güete, Abby Endashaw, Mahlet Mamo and Ana Hinojosa.

“In times of difficulty and traumatic times, we look to rituals and ancient practices to help us be rooted,” Park-Hur said. “And Isaiah 58 reminds us of the heart of these rituals.”

One of three worship speakers tasked with unpacking the theme, Gallardo focused on practical applications, challenging listeners to consider a kind of prayer that moved from words to action.

“It’s risky: removing chains and dismantling unjust systems,” Gallardo said, reflecting on examples such as the peaceful protestors demonstrating for a cease-fire in Gaza and those who marched from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., during the Civil Rights Movement.

Stepping into the role of storyteller, Endashaw, Mennonite Central Committee summer service national coordinator, engaged listeners in a story of transformation. Her early experiences of Dallas as a college student were of “spiritual and social isolation.” She spoke about how, at that time, she “found in Dallas an expression of faith that was not embodied in community, diversity or service.”

Her story then shifted to one of reconnection to self, God, community and the city — all fostered through her introduction to peace theology, which helped her “reunite with God in a way that affirmed [her] culture.”

Through her work with MCC, she recently returned to Dallas with a renewed vision and commitment to serve with a more holistic model of service.

She invited listeners to tell their own stories, posing the question: “What has been your journey to true worship?”

Rounding out the weekend, Steve Chun called listeners into deep study, revealing layers of depth to the text.

“Isaiah 58 calls us to something ­radical,” said Chun, a member of ­Pasadena Mennonite Church in California. Drawing attention to mentions of Sabbath, Chun asked listeners to consider that it “is a disruption to the entire system of production. . . . Sabbath is rest for the entire community.”

“You are Historians,” declared Felipe Hinojosa, professor of history at Baylor University. In his two-part keynote address, Hinojosa invited a dialogue about the importance of naming: people and their legacies.

Of the stories told, some included Maria Rivera de Snyder, an advocate for women’s rights, and Mennonite leader Seferina de León. In stories like de León’s, Hinojosa addressed the importance of social location, saying, “When we do church history, it’s never separated from the context we’re coming from.”

He showed a picture of de León wearing a traditional Mexican skirt, and pointed out how important that moment was as a reclaiming of culture, because it “at one point would have been looked down upon by White Mennonite missionaries.”

In each story, Hinojosa demonstrated how many had reclaimed their cultural identities, breaking the chains of assimilation and erasure.

“All theology is contextual,” he said. “The way we understand God should be rooted in our own experiences.”

The discussion continued with a focus on the MC USA Historical ­Archives in Elkhart, Ind.

“The archives is a space of silences,” said Hinojosa, noting the lack of representation in the materials on people of color. “It’s a space of marginalization. It’s a space where our stories, people that are most marginalized, are often left out.”

He urged attendees to begin filling in the gaps by documenting their stories, histories and legacies that could be contributed to the archive.

A gala honored community elders who emphasized the connectedness of generations.

“These people have spent a good amount of their lives investing in their communities, investing in their churches,” Endashaw said as she introduced each one. “We thank you for the sacrifices and the time that you have given to building, uplifting your community.”

Elders reflected on the wisdom they gleaned from experience, crafting it into advice to pass along.

Elder Wilma Redbird shared about how she encourages her great-grandchildren to attend church and learn about God.

Bishop Leslie Francisco offered advice he gives to young pastors, ­urging everyone to “trust God, learn how to make quality decisions and remember and prepare for the elder in you.”

Eduardo and Maria Hinojosa reflected on their years of ministry, with Maria sharing the advice to “keep on doing your work for Jesus.”

Though unable to attend, Conrado Hinojosa, Esther Hinojosa and Roy Williams received acknowledgment and appreciation as well.

“You are the future. You are the hope. You are the ones we have been waiting for,” said John Powell, one of the honored elders from last year who was unable to attend.

Powell’s prerecorded video played to a rapt audience as he spoke these concluding words: “Have yourself a lot of fun, but also be surprised by what God is going to do.”

Attendees had the choice of three learning labs. In “God’s People on the Move,” Ana Hinojosa led an interactive exercise that immersed participants in stories of migration, from biblical to contemporary contexts.

In “Ministering to Gen Zs,” Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal of Willow Avenue Mennonite Church in Clovis, Calif., invited participants to embrace generational change.

Participants first reflected on the influences that molded them and then learned about the traits of Gen Z, like an affinity for technology and a deep care for diversity and justice. Madrigal advised to “lead with love” when interacting with the Generation Z people in their lives.

Offering resources to navigate conflict, Iris de León-Hartshorn, MC USA associate executive director of operations and director of human resources, guided participants through two case studies and helped them recognize their role on a leadership, mediation or grassroots level. Naming the fears people might face, de León-Hartshorn helped participants distinguish between those “we have no control over” and “fears that we actually can influence or control.”

The final day equipped everyone for the journey home. Pastors and leaders stood up to receive prayers of encouragement, and all participants were invited to the front to be anointed by Marisa Smucker, executive director of Mennonite Mission Network, and Hyacinth Stevens, executive director of MCC East Coast.

Students had the chance to speak about their experience.

“Being here has made me realize how there is such a wonderful community that is supportive of each other,” said Genesis Figueroa, a student at Eastern Mennonite University, “and it made me appreciate being Mennonite a little bit more.”

Throughout the weekend, Pastor Hendy Stevan Matahelemual and Marina Setyati of Indonesian Light Church in Philadelphia led worship. As the weekend concluded, voices lifted in the verses of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” leaving the conference on a fitting note: “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”