In 2003, a small group of health care leaders met in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in conjunction with the Mennonite World Conference General Assembly to discuss the possibility of developing a Global Anabaptist Health Network. The focus was on Anabaptist-related health institutions. The results of this meeting did not have a long-term impact due to the lack of institutional ownership.

In July 2015, another meeting was organized in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, still in conjunction with the MWC World Assembly. A couple of important differences arose from the 2003 meeting and a follow-up meeting in Paraguay in 2009. First, the meeting was organized and coordinated by Mennonite Health Services on behalf of and with the support of MWC, and was called “ Global Health Leaders Summit. It was by invitation only, to include senior leaders and board members from hospitals, health clinics, senior care, community health, mental health, and developmental disability organizations, and expressly included healthcare leaders from all regions. The theme was “Stronger Together: Creating a Global Network of Anabaptist Healthcare Leaders.” A formal proposal to form such a network was presented by an ad hoc committee and endorsed by the hundred or so participants at that summit. The outcome of the summit was the goal of forming a network that would also include individual Anabaptist health professionals, not just health care institutions. And it was clearly intended to encompass health in a very broad context, not just health care institutions.

Clearly, there was strong interest among participants in leaning toward some new types of connections. Participants shared a deep commitment to engaging in health ministries in a way that is shaped by an Anabaptist Christian perspective and the shared values and convictions of Mennonite World Conference. A coordinating group representing the diversity of Mennonite World Conference was suggested to bring the energy and ideas generated through the Summit and advance the effort over the next three years, so the Global Network Task Force was formed. Anabaptist Health in association with MWC (read more).

GAHN's vision and mission statements were adopted in the following months through interactions and communications with representatives from fourteen countries. Interest continues to develop around a healthcare network that brings real value and benefits to network members and the populations they serve. All of this is done through the unique lens of the Anabaptist perspective and contribution on various health topics and issues. A solid foundation has been built for the development and design of GAHN with the potential for future changes based on member needs and preferences.

“We celebrate every effort that fosters cross-cultural interdependence and the sharing of gifts in our global family of faith. Service is easier and stronger when we do it together.”

General Secretary of the MWC, César García Theological and Biblical Foundations We are institutions and individuals belonging to the Global Family of Anabaptist Faith. As such, our dream is to be institutions and individuals that embody the shared values and convictions of Mennonite World Conference, as adopted by the General Council of Mennonite World Conference in Pasadena, March 15, 2006 (See more details at www.mwc-cmm.org).

It should be understood that these convictions are inspired by our 16th century Anabaptist ancestors, who modeled radical discipleship to Jesus Christ. We seek to walk in his name by the power of the Holy Spirit, as we confidently await the return of Christ and