The Mennonite Brethren Convention of Paraguay is celebrating its 50th anniversary by setting a goal to plant 50 new churches.

Conference President Dario Ramírez said missionary points are about to become churches, with people being baptized. The conference counts about 7,500 people in more than 60 churches.

The MB magazine Christian Leader reported Ramírez shared in a prayer update for the International Community of Mennonite Brethren that a celebration night honored ­“pioneers of the convention” with music and a video documentary.

“My heart is very happy and joyful,” he said. “We see how God has been faithful with our convention and our churches and how he accompanied this process for 50 years.”

Other goals for the conference include opening a Bible institute and a central headquarters.