Now that VMB has become our newest location some of you may secretly be wondering: “Who are the MB’s? I mean, I get what the V stands for but I’m really not clear on those last two letters – Mennonite Brethren? Who are they?”
If that question has been rattling around in your brain, it might come as a surprise to hear that Southridge is technically the great-great grand child of VMB. It may also be a surprise to discover that we are part of 35 other churches spread across this province reaching diverse cultural groups. Or, that we are one of 250 churches across Canada with a membership approaching 40,000. Or, that this tribe covers the globe in over 19 countries with hundreds of thousands of members.
It’s no secret that at Southridge we seldom chat about our denomination (You may be surprised that you’re reading this). Over the past decade our attention has been laser focused on our mission in Niagara and keeping pace with the growth God has brought. Although numerous folks within Southridge have been serving tirelessly on the broader church mission – our primary focus and conversation has been local. This new partnership with VMB may be just the occasion to highlight this other layer of what we are up to as a church.
A short history lesson (wait, don’t fall asleep on me – I’ll be really brief) would show you that VMB was actually the Second MB Church in Ontario (the first in Niagara) started some 80 years ago. The Christian stream – or ‘tribe’ from which those originating families came, sprung from a spiritual renewal in Russia in 1860. From that very small band God has spread the Gospel across North America, Africa, India and now to many of the unreached people groups around the globe. Check out www.celebration2010.org/timeline a website dedicated to the past 150 years of God’s activity through MB’s around the globe. Of course this is just one of many streams that God has been using, but in His mysterious plan He has included us in this particular tribe.
I mention all of this to let you know that on February 17-18 the 81st Convention of MB’s in Ontario will be taking place. Without much fan fare, other MB’s from across our province will gather in the village of Virgil at Cornerstone Community Church. Will it be a historic event? That’s hard to say. I do sense winds of change are blowing and for that reason some of you might like to check it out. We hope to send a slate of individuals willing to represent Southridge. Let me know if this piques your interest. Young and older are welcome to attend. God is up to some cool stuff both in our context and in our wider family tribe. Just thought you might like to know.
If you have questions or would be interested in attending the February Convention let me know: ewillms@southridge.cc
