HARRISBURG, Pa. — Nzuzi Mukawa, a Congolese Mennonite Brethren pastor and educator and the MB Mission team leader for Sub-Saharan Africa, challenged his audience to leave Mennonite World Conference assembly on July 23 as men and women who are reconciled with God and with others.

Mukawa’s text was 1 Sam. 25:1-35, the story of David, Nabal and Abigail. The conflict in this text, he said, begins with one person — Nabal, a rich but insensitive man who had a bad heart. When Nabal rejects David’s request for help, David decides to seek revenge. The resolution to this conflict also begins with one person — Abigail, a beautiful woman with a good heart. When David accepts her gift of reconciliation, the conflict is resolved.

“Why is there so much conflict in the world?” Mukawa said. “I realize that it is because people are accepting the ideas of Nabal.”

When people take advantage of wealth, education and power, the result is conflict — in families, among countries and even in the church. We need to be careful of this attitude, said Mukawa.

“We need men and women who will adopt the attitude of Abigail — to go toward the other,” he said. “What attitude will we take when we leave this place?”

Reconciliation is the work of God, Mukawa said, referring to 2 Cor. 5:17-20. “In the moment when we were God’s enemies, God came toward us. God has reconciled us in Christ Jesus.”

Mukawa encouraged those that filled the large arena to confess Christ. “Only one name has been given by which we can be saved,” he said. “And that is Jesus. Are you in agreement with me?”

The crowd’s repeated applause indicated they were.

Why are Mennonites and Anabaptists such a diverse group, asked Mukawa. Because the first Anabaptists went into the world with this good news, and Mukawa is happy that his ancestors are among those who accepted Jesus Christ because of this witness.

He encouraged local congregations to use the word “Mennonite” or “Anabaptist” in their church name, as congregations do in his country. “Why are you ashamed of this tradition? And if you are ashamed of this tradition, why have you come here?”

God calls his disciples to proclaim the cross and to work for the resolution of conflict. Citing examples from around the world, Mukawa called for a resolution to ethnic, tribal and racial conflict. “I need you to know that within races is a great diversity that is a gift of God that we should be celebrating.”

MWC assembly represents the great diversity that we will enjoy in heaven when we stand before the Lamb of God, Mukawa said. “I am happy for that day.”

In closing, he returned to the day’s theme — walking with God in conflict and reconciliation. He encouraged his listeners to follow Abigail’s example and to walk toward reconciliation.

The Anabaptist commitment to peace and reconciliation was highlighted in the ecumenical greetings given earlier in the worship service by representatives from the World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation and General Conference of Seventh Day Adventist. The audience affirmed with extended applause the appreciation expressed by Martin Junge of LWF for the reconciliation between Anabaptists and Lutherans in 2010.

Music during the evening service highlighted Africa. The singing was enthusiastic and energetic and included performances by two African choirs. While Brethren Choral Sounds Choir from Zimbabwe numbered about 40 singers, only five singers represented Eastleigh Fellowship Choir from Kenya; the other 25 were denied visas.

This was not the only group to experience the heartbreak of not being able to attend this global event and master of ceremonies Don McNiven lead the audience in a moment of silent prayer for those who were missing the assembly because their visas were denied.

See all MWC assembly coverage here.