| CristoválAll our churches use the national Carnival holiday to host Christ-centered retreats—days filled with fun, good food, and ministry for people of all ages. These events are significant for those with no church background, offering them a taste of God-honoring community. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my upbringing in a Mennonite Brethren church. When I was spiritually drifting up in the Yukon, a group from that church faithfully prayed for me. They kept praying and supporting us as we carried the gospel to the Amazon Basin, some still to this day, and others are cheering us on from the other side. But as I thought back, I realized—I couldn’t remember any church-wide gatherings where we ate, played, and received ministry for days on end. Fun wasn’t expected. I liked my church friends, but I never questioned how our people lived out their community of faith until I was about 14. The Mennonite and immigrant culture was transitioning from poverty to wealth. I wonder if that had something to do with it, because they are committed Bible believers, and the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is full of multi-day God-centered community celebrations. Those reflections help me see how valuable these Cristovál retreats are in our church-planting movement. They create space for joy, connection, and transformation—something I didn’t know I missed growing up but now see as vital. |
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.