“For many, attending Assembly is a life-changing encounter with the global Anabaptist family,” says Elina Ciptadi, a member of the GKMI national church and former chair of AMIGOS (the predecessor of the YABs Committee [Young Anabaptists]). “Assembly opened my eyes about different ways of worshipping and serving God.

“Assembly helped me realize that there is not one way of following Jesus even though we are all rooted in the Bible. Our upbringing and cultural context shape our understanding of faith and life, but we are united in our love for Jesus and our commitment to witness to his gospel,” says Elina Ciptadi.

As chief communications officer Kristina Toews returned from maternity leave in November, Elina Ciptadi shifted from her interim role with MWC communications to that of Assembly communication coordinator. “We are grateful Elina’s leadership, especially her nimble and creative response to the unexpected challenges raised by the pandemic,” says Kristina Toews.

Also appointed to the Assembly team is Rut Arsari as registration assistant. A member of GITJ Kelet church in Indonesia, she has served her local church as a youth mentor and served the global church as a teacher and social worker in Colombia and South Korea.

The rest of the Assembly team was previously announced. Click here to view the other members.

To welcome MWC members to Indonesia, the Assembly team has been producing videos. Visit MWC’s YouTube channel to find Indonesian language lessons, tours of Assembly Scattered locations in Indonesia, introductions to Indonesian churches and Indonesian food. You can also find out more about the team preparing the Assembly.

Click here to view Assembly videos.

Among the videos is a call for workshops.

“We are looking for topics and workshop leaders that reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of our global communion and are interactive and dynamic,” says workshop coordinator Estifanos Gedlu. “In addition to theological and historical workshops, we are particularly interested in including cultural or creative workshops and stories of lived experience.”

Click here for the workshop application form.

Click here to read more about workshops.

“Postponing Assembly to 2022 is a gift of time that inspires our creativity for Assembly preparation,” says chief international events officer Liesa Unger. “We have decided to offer the Assembly as a hybrid event, so everyone can attend, either in person or online. Naturally, nothing can replace meeting face-to-face with brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world together in one place. But we are happy that new technology opens up opportunities for those who cannot come to Indonesia in person to join Assembly online.”

Click here for the latest updates on Assembly 17: