{"id":27427,"date":"2026-07-01T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27427"},"modified":"2026-07-02T03:44:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T03:44:44","slug":"global-mission-dinner-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/global-mission-dinner-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Mission Dinner hears from EYN president Daniel Mbaya"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Frank Ramirez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharon Brugger Norton was uncertain, as she opened the Global Mission Dinner, how she should introduce Don Fitzkee. He had just passed the moderator\u2019s gavel only moments before he was to lead the dinner in prayer. Fitzkee chuckled and said, \u201cIf I\u2019m not an ex-moderator, I\u2019m close.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norton as executive director of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren introduced the international guests who were present. She then introduced the evening\u2019s speaker and guest of honor Daniel Mbaya, president of Ekklesiyar Yan\u2019uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), \u201cthe largest Anabaptist communion in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Church of the Brethren has so many good things,\u201d Mbaya told the crowd. \u201cYou help everyone. Don\u2019t let go of that.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recalled from memory the Acts 2 scripture, when the Holy Spirit arrived in the midst of the disciples with a mighty rushing wind, descending with tongues of fire on their heads. \u201cThe challenge confronting us as a people is we are truly in a difficult world,\u201d he continued. \u201cSome in our nation seem to have hostility to the gospel.\u201d The response, he said, was not violence, but to baptize more people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mbaya expressed gratitude for the help of Bethany Theological Seminary in training new ministers. \u201cGreat is the academy!\u201d he said. He then hearkened back to the day when the Brethren, more than a century ago, \u201csent missionaries to other country bringing the good news of Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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EYN president Daniel Mbaya spoke for the Global Mission Dinner. Photo by Donna Parcell<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Reminding his listeners that there are so many things that cannot be fixed, he said EYN would continue to send missions in order to save more Christians. \u201cImagine a world where the gospel is shared with all people,\u201d he challenged his listeners. \u201cI have good news. God is international, and he is more interested in those who serve him than in all the tweets you make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, speaking to the Church of the Brethren, he said, \u201cWhen you as our parents are growing old, and your children are getting better, it is a sign that all is normal\u2026. Don\u2019t be afraid to share Christ in America. Remember what God said: \u2018I will send you the comforter.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Frank Ramirez is a member of the Annual Conference Press Team.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n