Mennonite World Conference lost two leaders currently serving in official roles. Pascal Kulungu, member of the newly formed Global Anabaptist Peace Network steering committee, died 16 January 2019 after a short illness. Manjula Roul, member of the Faith and Life Commission since 2015 and General Council member, died 27 January 2019 of a heart attack.

Pascal Kulungu (66) was a long-time leader in the MB church (Conférence des Églises Frères Mennonites en Congo) in DRC. He established a peace institute and facilitated peace training workshops after receiving a master of arts in leadership, management and peace building from Fresno Pacific University, California, USA. Politically engaged in his own country, Pascal Kulungu was elected as a National Assembly representative for Kasongo-Lunda district in the December 2018 national election. He died after a short illness.

Manjula Roul (61) was a member of Brethren In Christ Church, Odisha. She served the church alongside her husband, Bishop Bijoy Roul, and was known for her gracious hospitality and leadership in Asia caucus gatherings. She was president of the All-India Mennonite Women's Conference for one term and served on the Board for a number of years. Manjula Roul actively supported the formation of the Theologically Trained Anabaptist Women of India.

“We stand with the family and congregations of these beloved colleagues at a time of sadness,” says Nelson Kraybill, MWC president. “This is a loss for the churches with whom these leaders served and for the international Anabaptist family of faith. We thank God for their faithful witness and honour their contributions to mission and reconciliation in the name of Jesus.”

—Mennonite World Conference release 

*Date and cause of death for Manjula Roul corrected 4 March 2019.