November 20thWinnipeg Churches Come Together for City-Wide Youth Events
Mennonite Church Manitoba churches in Winnipeg have been collaborating on monthly joint youth events since 2022—a venture that has been a great success, according to participants.
“I like the joint events because I can hang out with friends from other churches that I met at camp,” says Charlie Derksen, a youth at Bethel Mennonite Church. “Sometimes they invite me to their own youth group events too.”
His sister Lucy adds: “It’s fun to have bigger events with more kids, because the group at my church is pretty small. There are lots of things we can’t really do on our own.”
Phil Campbell-Enns, co-pastor at Home Street Mennonite Church, was the one who first initiated these events. “After pandemic restrictions loosened,” he says, “I reached out to six congregations, hoping one or two of them would be interested, and they all responded with interest! So, with that kind of response, we decided all the Winnipeg congregations should get an invitation.”
All Winnipeg MCM youth groups know they are welcome, and they participate as they are able. In any given month’s event, there could be between five and nine churches and 30 and 80 people. Participating churches take turns planning events.
“I love the different styles and gifts that different congregations put into their leading,” says Jonathan Neufeld, co-pastor at Charleswood Mennonite Church, “whether it is musically, devotional or worship styles, or activity choices that reflect the interests and passions of their group.”
Most gatherings are activity-based and have included a board games night and a visit to a corn maze (see photo). However, some have involved conversations with guest speakers, such as one on nurturing peace through cross-cultural relationships.
“I really like helping to plan and attending them myself,” says Emma Siemens, faith development pastor at North Kildonan Mennonite Church. “I think they’re a great way to remind ourselves of the larger church of which our individual congregations are part. They’re also bigger, high-energy events, allowing us youth pastors to get creative and have fun planning and facilitating them!”
This is not the only youth ministry collaboration within MCM. Similar programs run in Altona and have run in the past in the Morden-Winkler area. MCM also coordinates conference-wide youth and young adult retreats at Camp Assiniboia, and Mennonite Church Canada hosts youth assemblies in connection with nationwide Gatherings.
Please pray for the youth of our churches and the pastors and others who serve them. May they experience God’s love and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Consider giving financially to support our regional church youth events; see www.mennochurch.mb.ca/giving.