PHOENIX, Mennonite Mission Network—The scent of barbecue drifted over thousands of people, milling around the Phoenix exhibit. Samples of succulent pork dripped in North Carolinian barbecue sauce. Meanwhile, stories were told of the Peace and Justice Support Network’s efforts in North Carolina.
This was the third year that the Mennonite Mission Network cooking show made an appearance at the Mennonite Church USA Convention. This year’s convention was held in Phoenix from July 1-5, 2013. Recipes from Arizona, France, North Carolina, Northern Ireland, Paraguay, South Africa and West Africa each represented the mission work in its area.
But this cooking show is about more than being nutritious. It’s about Christ. The Bible tells of two people on the road to Emmaus. Only when Jesus broke bread with them, did they realize who he was.
“It is in the sharing of food that we encounter another culture and way of seeing and living in the world,” said Steve Wiebe-Johnson, Mission Network director for Africa, and host for the show.
The cooking show introduced and engaged onlookers with Mission Network ministries in the United States and around the world.
“Beyond that, it gave an invitation to encounter Christ though the breaking of bread and the sharing of stories,” Wiebe-Johnson said.
Attendees left equipped for their own mission work with recipe cards and spatulas in hand. Recipe cards can be downloaded online here.
For those whose stomachs were already full, they could still go after pigs—bright green, fuzzy ones. Similar to the sling-shot game of Angry Birds, Peaceful Doves offered an opportunity to strike “evil pigs” and break down walls of injustice. Above average aim and a good sense of humor was welcomed.
During the week, 2,130 Mennonites participated in Servant Projects in Phoenix. And in order to encourage a life of service, five more youth will receive service scholarships in the 2013-2014 school year.
Those who participated in Mission Network events, like Servant Projects, seminars, or Peaceful Doves, received a “Mennopoly” card. The first seven grand-prize winners were those who matched nine of 12 cards, representing different Christian Service and international locations. Winners chose a $500 service-scholarship or a Mission Network-green Sony Cyber Shot camera.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
