The Executive Committee of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) has officially accepted the invitation from Tanzania's member churches to host Assembly 18 in Arusha in June 2028. The five-day gathering of Anabaptists from around the world will take place in the first two weeks of June, with the theme currently being finalized.
Tanzania is home to more than 46,000 Mennonites in two MWC member churches: Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania (KMT) and Kanisa La Mennonite La Kiinjili Tanzania (Evangelical Mennonite Church of Tanzania). Bishop Nelson Kisare described the vision for hosting the global gathering as: «Together building the body of Christ and strengthening global fellowship.»
Organizers anticipate between 1,500 and 2,000 participants from outside the African continent, 500 to 1,000 from other African countries, and more than 2,500 local participants. A closing mass worship service on Saturday is expected to draw an additional 200 attendees. «Assembly Scattered» options — allowing smaller groups to experience the region and worship with local congregations — are planned not only in Tanzania but also in other parts of East Africa.
KMT is the oldest national Mennonite church in East Africa, established in the 1930s. Revival movements swept through Tanzania from the 1940s to the 1960s, and Tanzanian Mennonite evangelists subsequently carried the gospel into Kenya. The selection of Arusha follows the withdrawal of MKC in Ethiopia, which had originally been intended to host the event.
«For years, it has been our dream to hold Assembly 18 in Africa. This draws to a close our decade of Renewal, marking 500 years of Anabaptism with a celebration on the continent where Anabaptism is growing the fastest,» said César García, MWC General Secretary. The Tanzanian churches' hospitality and the engagement of local congregations are seen as key strengths for making this gathering a meaningful experience for the global Anabaptist family.