MWC - More Than Just A Fun Trip!

As I packed my bags and began the spiritual and mental preparation for the trip, I was both excited and nervous about the thought of entering a country with a different culture and language. I understood that Mennonite World Conference (MWC) would enable me to meet people from around the world and that by hearing their testimonies and stories I would be able to learn of the joys and struggles of their country and their people.

My name is Deborah-Ruth Ferber and I attend North Leamington United Mennonite Church. This summer I attended the Mennonite World Conference with the Come Together group from MCEC. This experience helped me to grow in my faith and to learn more about ministry.

Some of the seminars that were offered by MWC helped me to change and grow as I learned about contemporary church issues and how they relate to my church at home. The two seminars that I found particularly meaningful were Acting Towards A Greater Understanding and Resolutions from Global Youth Summit and the Future of Youth and Young Adult Leadership in MWC. Both these seminars "hit the nail on the head" when it came to dealing with some of the issues that I see youth struggling with in my congregation. In these seminars I learned about the need to ask good questions and to find good answers, and to have a godly mentor from the church. I also learned how to use drama as a tool to help youth feel less vulnerable and how to view theology more as an "open discussion." With this in mind, I want to bring these two ideas - using drama and allowing teens to come to conclusions for themselves in a safe environment - to my own youth group.

To me MWC was much more than just a fun trip - it was a step in my personal development and a lesson in learning to be a young leader in the church. I am very thankful for the prayers and support that the members of MCEC have given the youth in allowing us this opportunity and I believe this speaks volumes to MCEC's strong stance on youth and young adult leadership formation.

I pray that God will bless you for blessing us with this chance of a lifetime.