Bogotá, Colombia – The Mennonite World Conference communication team is changing with new appointments and transitions in three staff positions.

In mid-July 2015, Karla Braun of Canada began a half-time position as editor and writer. She serves as editor of Courier/Correo/Courrier and also as a writer and editor of other MWC material.

Braun has been associate editor of the Mennonite Brethren Herald based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for the past seven years. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in linguistics as well as selected graduate courses in theological studies.

Braun succeeds Devin Manzullo-Thomas of the USA, who has served as MWC editor and writer since January 2013. He has been appointed to a full-time role at Messiah College, a Brethren in Christ–affiliated school in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and will begin PhD studies in September.

On 1 September 2015, Kristina Toews of Colombia will assume the responsibilities of chief communications officer, a role that includes overseeing MWC’s communication strategy and coordinating all print and electronic communications. She will succeed Ron Rempel of Canada, who is retiring after serving in this position since January 2012.

Toews, originally from Abbotsford, British Columbia, has lived in Bogotá, Colombia and has served as MWC’s web communications worker since February 2013. In this position, she has initiated and led MWC’s growing social media strategy through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Toews also holds an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies.

Replacing Toews in managing MWC’s web and social media presence is Aarón González of Costa Rica. He served most recently on the MWC Assembly staff in Akron, Pennsylvania, USA. In his new position, González will work from the MWC office in Bogotá.

González has served in his home congregation of Buenas Nuevas Mennonite Church in Costa Rica, and with Mennonite Central Committee and MWC in the YAMEN! Program in Cambodia.

 “Communication and community are related words not only in their common root but in the impact that they have in the human being,” commented MWC general secretary César García.” Without communication there is no possibility of sharing our joys and sorrows, finding hope in the midst of suffering, or building a global community. This is a reason why communication is more than just a career or a department in an institution. It is a ministry. It is a very important service for our Anabaptist global family of faith.”

García added, “I want to express my gratitude to Devin and Ron for the ministry that they developed in MWC. Communications have been crucial during the last years in our global family. Under Ron’s leadership, MWC communications advanced into new stages and reached the maturity that we need in order to keep growing and facilitating good means of communication among our members. We pray for God’s guidance and blessings for these leaders and the new stages that they have started in their lives.”

Mennonite World Conference release

Photos: Kristina Toews, Karla Braun, Aarón González