Approximately 130 Anabaptists from nine conferences in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela gathered in Quito, Ecuador, February 18 – 21, 2023. This Andean regional gathering was originally planned for November 2020, two years after the previous event in Cali, Colombia, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other meetings prior to the full gathering included the Red Latinoamericana de Estudios Anabautistas (RELEA—Latin American Network of Anabaptist Studies) and the Movimiento de Mujeres Anabautistas Haciendo Teología desde América Latina (MTAL—Movement of Anabaptist Women Doing Theology from Latin America) focusing on gender violence, and a meeting with representatives of each conference to discern possibilities for higher level theological education from an Anabaptist perspective.

César García, General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference, led the primary Bible studies and reflections with an emphasis on relating and working together in unity, even while recognizing the distinctive gifts, challenges, and perspectives of each conference. Afternoon workshops focused on themes like Anabaptist identity, creation care, mission and church-planting, spirituality of peace, migration and hospitality and including people with disabilities in our communities of faith.

Special sessions for children and youth attracted families and encouraged a focus towards the future as well as the present.

Mennonite Mission Network, together with other agencies, provided funding to help reduce the expenses for participants, supported planning and invited workers in the region to interact with church leaders in this context.

The following photos by Linda Shelly give a glimpse into the activities and fellowship experienced in Ecuador.