Steve Kriss, skriss@franconiaconference.orgAsk Danilo Sanchez from Boyertown Mennonite Church to tell you about Franconia Conference’s Partners in Mission (PIM), and he’ll likely begin with a story. Sanchez has been up close and personal with a variety of PIMs, some as part of a summer ministry internship and some as part of congregational life at Boyertown.In March of this year, Sanchez traveled with a group from his church to Viña del Mar, Chile where the group continued to strengthen relationships through service and worship with a network of Anabaptist/Pentecostal congregations. In June, Danilo traveled with a group of emerging leaders to continue to cultivate relationships in Spain and Morocco, visiting with Anabaptists in Madrid.The remainder of the summer Danilo interned with PIM congregation, Good Shepherd Community Church near Ephrata, Pa. In his work with the youth there, Danilo traveled to Mexico where he worked alongside persons from the Red de Iglesias Misionaras Anabautistas, also a conference PIM that is rooted in Mexico City’s, Iglesia Cristiana de La Paz.“I got a chance to prove to myself that I was a part of God’s plans,” stated Danilo, reflecting on his summer experiences. “I developed my faith and personality/identity while learning about the church as a global community. God is in the world and working through His church.”Partners in Mission provide diverse learning and ministry contexts. For Sanchez, the connections open new doors of possibilities and questions. And behind open doors for young leaders lay possibilities for the Good News to live, breathe and move into the world anew whether it’s locally, on the shores of the Mediterranean or in the heart of the world’s largest city (Mexico City), praise be to God.Partners In Mission featured at Conference AssemblyThis year’s Conference Assembly, Come to the Table: Embrace God in Us, will invite participants to get to know our Partners in Mission through a special Friday evening worship and interactive workshops on Saturday.Workshops include a Bible study led by Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, Peace Fellowship, on the text inspiring Conference Assembly, Luke 24:13-25; reflections from a recent trip to visit CIEAMM (Mexico Mennonite Conference) and Oaxaca led by Lora Steiner and Carolyn Albright; and workshops led by members of both Conference congregations and Partners in Mission highlighting the connections and work of a variety of PIMs including, Oxford Circle, New Hope Fellowship, Rock Community, Chile and Haiti.All are invited to attend the fellowship and celebration of what God is doing among us!
