The last few weeks of August were hectic ones for Mennonite World Conference! We produced hundreds of documents to support visa application procedures for several of our members. Our Deacons Commission organized a delegation from five continental regions for a fraternal visit to the churches in Angola. Our board members planned their meeting in Zimbabwe and I, as general secretary, made plans to visit our churches in Malawi. (A few weeks later we sent applications for my upcoming travel to the embassies of Japan, Korea, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Switzerland, too!)

Despite the tireless effort of many people, it appeared that some visas would be denied. Frustrations ran high, as those of us who’d worked tirelessly recalled the time invested in the attainment of the documents, the countless emails and phone calls to the embassies and the economic cost these efforts entail. How can we rest in God in the midst of obstacles that are imposed on us as a church by the secular governments?

In the midst of this frustration, I recalled a recent interaction with a colleague in Bogotá: “We should do this again,” were the words from a pastor after our celebration of World Fellowship Sunday in January of this year. This celebration brought together – for the first time! – all the Mennonite Brethren, Brethren in Christ and the Mennonite Church congregations in Bogotá. Each local fellowship cancelled its services and closed its buildings to facilitate the coming together of these churches in one place.

Our gathering included hundreds of people from the three Anabaptist groups in Bogotá, along with representatives of the Anabaptist agencies of mission, peace, community development, health and education.

In that meeting each church and its leadership participated in a united celebration. Everyone served according to their gifts and unique identity. It was a tremendous blessing!

Why is it so special to celebrate World Fellowship Sunday? What does this have to do with the visa procedures mentioned above?

I personally believe that the special service that we commemorate the Sunday of the month closest to the date of the first baptism in Zurich (21 January 1525), is comparable only to the Global Assembly meetings MWC holds every six years. At these meetings, we focus our attention on God in order to express our gratitude for moving in the midst of our global community.

We are grateful for the gifts we share in our family of faith: missionaries who have given their lives to bear witness to Christ; brothers and sisters willing to serve the needy; teachers who disciple others with their life and character; pastors who care for local congregations; donors who give generously to the work of Christ; peacemakers who model a new way of dealing with conflicts in the manner of Jesus. Our global community is greatly blessed! World Fellowship Sunday gives us the opportunity to recognize it and to express our gratitude to God.

World Fellowship Sunday sends a clear message to those barriers that inhibit the work of the church – including visa problems. As we meet in these celebrations, we remember that we are one in Christ and that Christ has defeated the reality of administrative, theological, cultural, geographical, national, political, gender, racial and economic differences on the cross. He has made us one body, and by his Spirit the miracle of unity is now possible!

In services where local congregations from different Anabaptist conferences gather – overcoming social and ethnic differences – we proclaim that Christ has destroyed the walls that once separated us. We proclaim that the new creation is already a reality in our midst. In meetings where offerings for the global church are given, we realize that our reason for being goes far beyond the personal or local need. We are here to bless peoples of all the earth!

For all the above, we find Jesus in a special way in World Fellowship Sunday. It is where we see our character transformed in many ways.

What a comfort I feel as I remember all this – and what a comfort such thoughts will be the next time I’m frustrated by the visa application process! How good it is when brothers and and sisters live together in unity!

By César García, MWC General Secretary