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The change reflects realities already in place in the MB Church around the globe. The acronym "MBMS" has been retained to acknowledge the 100-year tradition of the organization formerly known as Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services. The word "International" has been added to reflect the changing face of mission work in the MB Church.
"Our new name reflects the fact that there are now churches in 15 other MB conferences outside North America," states Harold Ens, General Director of MBMS International. "We have committed to partnering with these other conferences and with the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren, so that we can expand the base for reaching the unreached in response to Christ's Commission. For example, we have administrative staff from Congo, Austria and Colombia who coordinate our efforts in Africa, Europe and Latin America. We also have a missionary from Japan working in Thailand, and have in the past sent missionaries from Germany, Brazil and elsewhere to spread the gospel in other countries."
The change to the new MBMS International acronym does not in any way soften the mission's ties to the Mennonite Brethren conferences in North America. As the official mission organization of the MB conferences in Canada and the United States, MBMS International spreads the gospel of Christ in accordance with the MB Confession of Faith. It draws its support from the MB church body both financially and in prayer, and seeks to keep the churches informed and involved in its activities throughout the world. However, the additional word "International" reflects both the current partial reality and hopes for an expanded reality. MBMS International currently has ministry connections in 39 countries around the world
The decision to change the name was made at the MBM/S Board meeting in Calgary, Alta. in October, 1997, and approved by the Executive Council of the General MB Conference.
MBMS International also has a new logo, designed last year as part of the "Year of Global Mission" emphasis. It is being kept as the new MBMS International logo because of its meaning and effectiveness. The logo represents a person in the world, motivated by the winds of the Holy Spirit, planting and nurturing new life in Christ.
The logo draws upon the MBMS International mission statement, which is "to participate in making disciples of all people groups, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ cross-culturally and globally, in Spirit-empowered obedience to Christ's commission, and in partnership with local Mennonite Brethren churches." It encompasses the three-fold goal of MBMS International which is to bring the gospel to unreached people groups through church planting, education and economic development reaching the soul, mind and body.
Brad Thiessen, Secretary for Media and Communications, MBMS International
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