A legacy of love
In Spain, there’s a common belief that good things take time. "First, you must dedicate yourself to getting to know people and winning them with friendship and a good testimony," said Augustín Melguizo, a pastor at an Anabaptist church in Burgos, Spain. "Then, after several years, you can begin to benefit from some occasions […]
Bare feet in worship
A drop of sweat trickled down my back, dampening my green, long-sleeved church shirt. It was only 8:30 in the morning, but the Amazon sun was already streaming through the church’s newly screened windows, making the lacquered floor glow caramel-brown. It had been only six months since my family and I had last worshiped in this building, […]
The changing winds of leadership
The Bylers’ retirement has had a ripple effect on their church in Burgos. While Connie and Dennis will no longer be present to preach on Sundays, the role will be filled by others at church. "This will be a great opportunity for some of our young adults … to have more opportunities to develop their […]
Reconciliation after half-century of betrayal, remorse
ELKHART, Indiana (AIMM/Mennonite Mission Network) – The community lined the sides of the road to welcome six vehicles rolling in from an arduous 500-mile journey from Kinshasa, the capital city of Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 30 Congolese Mennonite church leaders and mission representatives accepted the Kandale congregation’s invitation to attend a reconciliation […]
Campaign to support Academia Menonita Betania in Puerto Rico raises $94,000
(Mennonite Church USA/Mennonite Education Agency/Mennonite Mission Network) — Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) and Mennonite Mission Network have nearly reached their $100,000 fundraising goal to aid in Academia Menonita Betania’s recovery from hurricane Maria. At the recent Mennonite Educators Conference on Feb. 1-3, 2018, Carlos Romero, executive director of MEA, presented a check for $94,000 raised […]
A call to dream and action at Hope for the Future 2018
(Mennonite Church USA/Mennonite Mission Network/Mennonite Education Agency) — Nearly 70 pastors, leaders, directors, coordinators, educators, change-makers and others with connections to Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) met together Feb. 8-11 at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, for the seventh annual Hope for the Future (HFF). HFF brings together leaders of color […]
Mission Network promotes Anabaptist studies in French language
ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Mission Network) – Three authors with connections to the Paris Mennonite Center in France had books published in 2017. These publications contribute to the ministry of increasing materials available to the more than 230,000 French-speaking Anabaptists who desire to deepen understanding of their faith. [See associated story on the creation of the […]
Launch of French-language Anabaptist theological program
ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Mission Network) – A shortage of French-language Anabaptist literature and training motivated 21 participants from eight countries on three continents to gather in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sept 27-29, 2017, in search of a solution. They worked toward creating a consortium of theological schools and partner institutions to develop an online training program […]
Balancing student loan debt and service
You’ve just graduated from college. The average student graduates with $37,000 of student loan debt. Maybe you’ve considered doing a year or two of service after you get your degree, but when you look at your debt, it just doesn’t seem like a responsible thing to do anymore. It’s time to get a job and […]
Mennonites in Burkina Faso celebrate 40th anniversary
ELKHART, Indiana (AIMM/Mennonite Mission Network) – Mennonite churches around the world are invited to praise God and rejoice with Eglise Evangélique Mennonite du Burkina Faso (Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso), said Abdias Coulibaly, national president of the denomination. The church will be hosting the celebration of its 40th anniversary in November. "Together, let us […]
Mission worker known for reaching across boundaries and for teamwork in India
NEWTON, KS (Mennonite Mission Network) – Matilda Jantzen, who served as a long-term mission worker in India, died Dec. 15, 2017 at Showalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas. She was 99. Matilda (who went by "Tillie") and her husband, Lubin, served in mission work in India for 35 years through Commission on Overseas Mission, a predecessor […]
Ecuador, a food story
Food seems to be the recurrent theme in my life these last couple of months. Sharing a meal with others bring gifts of conversation and relationship. Cooking for others is a way to share appreciation as the cook puts in energy, resources, thought, and detail into a special meal. I’ve spent several hours recently celebrating […]