100 years of Mennonite World Conference— 500 years of Anabaptism
In May I had the privilege of travelling to Europe as an EMC representative to the Mennonite World Conference. This was for General Council meetings, for the celebration of 100 years of MWC, and for Zürich 500: commemorating half a millennium since the beginning of the Anabaptist movement.
On May 29, 2025, attendees gather in Grossmunster Cathedral in Zurich, Switzerland, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism.
These events had a distinctly ecumenical atmosphere, and delegates of other Christian denominations lamented over the violence done to Mennonites and the schism of the church that resulted from the Reformation. They expressed a desire for healed relationships and greater collaboration with Mennonites.
It was mentioned several times in these events that Mennonites are like the little toe in the body of Christ; we are such a tiny member of the greater body! Nevertheless, the little toe is valued. Anybody who has ever stubbed their small toe can attest to the impact a toe can have on the wellbeing of the whole body. I felt keenly aware of the smallness of our own EMC family within the larger Anabaptist communion. I mused that if Mennonites are a small toe, maybe the EMC is just one hair on that little toe!
It was great to get a perspective of God’s big family, and especially how Anabaptism has experienced growth and change. In the last 100 years, Anabaptism has grown from 500,000 baptized members located almost entirely in Europe and North America to 2.1 million today, 83% of which are from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The diversity is beautiful. In MWC this diversity shows up everywhere, from MWC’s leadership and governance to the multi-ethnic and multi-language worship times.
Zürich 500 was especially exciting. Organizers were overwhelmed by the number of visitors who converged on the city where George Blaurock re-baptized Felix Manz and others in 1525. This first “believers’ baptism” sparked the radical reformation that was soon followed by the persecution, martyrdom and scattering of many Mennonites. Manz himself was drowned in the River Limmat near his trial at Zürich’s Grössmunster Cathedral.
It was at Grössmunster where the main event of Zürich 500 occurred with songs, readings, ecumenical addresses and a symbolic footwashing. Prior to the event I stood outside the cathedral for almost two hours with a large crowd of others who were eager to enter and get a seat. During that time, we spontaneously broke out several times in songs and hymns, sung by memory in English, German and Zulu. This was very moving for me! Unfortunately, I didn’t make it into the packed sanctuary, and I resorted to watching the livestream on my phone from my hostel bunk bed. You can view the whole service at https://www.anabaptism500.ch.
Other events in Zürich that day included exhibits, walking tours, workshops and choral performances from around the world. Some of those who travelled for Zürich 500, including several EMC folk that I bumped into, joined longer Anabaptism-themed tours in the region.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to represent the EMC at these events. It was encouraging to be with brothers and sisters from around the globe. Christ’s church is alive and well, and we Anabaptists are a vibrant little part of it, “following Jesus, living out unity, and building peace.”