The righteousness of faith — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "The righteousness of faith," is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for February 28, the second Sunday in Lent. Like Abraham, God’s promises to us are not fulfilled through self-exaltation, but through the faith of Jesus Christ. Romans 4:13-25 Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Mark […]
From mission-wary to missionary
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — As a girl, Mennonite Mission Network writer Lynda Hollinger-Janzen dreamed of becoming a missionary. She grew wary of this desire, however, when she learned how colonialist practices in some mission efforts had harmed people in other cultures. By the end of her first overseas service in Zaire (now the […]
Ash Wednesday and White supremacy
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and confession. Ash is spread on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, as a reminder of Jesus’ death and a call to repent from our sins. There is something humbling about recognizing when we’ve failed or fallen short. And where have humans fallen short more often […]
Latin American women birth a devotional book
Artículo en español NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — When Latin American women looked for an Anabaptist devotional book written by women, in Spanish, they couldn’t find one. Though the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, it didn’t shut down the resilience of these women who, rather than only wishing things were different, quickly created […]
Emerging into fruitfulness — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "Emerging into fruitfulness," is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for February 21, the first Sunday in Lent. The faithful emerge through in-between times into fruitfulness. 1 Peter 3:18-22 Psalm 25:1-10 Genesis 9:8-17 Mark 1:9-15 Thank you for joining us! This was […]
Through humility — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "Through humility," is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for February 14, the sixth Sunday after Epiphany. Humility means accepting the provision that God reveals through others for our healing. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Mark 1:40-45 2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 Thank you for joining us! […]
The audacity of a radical love evokes change and reconciliation
This year’s theme for Black History Month, chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, is "Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity." As I reflect on this theme, the words of Audre Lorde, Harlem-born poet and civil rights activist, ring true in my soul: "If I didn’t define myself for […]
My kid wants a gap year — gulp!
Might your high school senior benefit from personal development before entering college or the workforce? If a year of volunteering, living communally, and exploring faith sounds like it could be a good fit, what should you consider? How do you start the conversation? Below is an interview between myself and my mom, Heidi Eash, who […]
International council provides connection in isolating times
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — In these isolating times, Mennonite Mission Network is grateful for the fellowship and networking it receives by participating in the 14-member Council of International Anabaptist Ministries (CIM), which gathers annually for mutual support and education. The ability of CIM to be a "home" where many agencies share their practices […]
Weak enough to win others — Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled "Weak enough to win others," is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for February 7, the fifth Sunday after Epiphany. Though Jesus embodied God’s extraordinary power, he became weak to draw us to God. Psalm 147:1-12 Isaiah 40:21-31 Mark 1:29-39 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 […]
My neighbor and our flourishing life
"Peace is not merely the absence of some negative force — war, tensions, confusion, but it is the presence of some positive force — justice, goodwill, the power of the kingdom of God." — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "When Peace Becomes Obnoxious" I am reflecting on these words from Dr. Martin Luther King, […]
WhatsApp helps Kekchi women know what’s up with each other
By invitation of the Iglesia Nacional Evangélica Menonita Guatemalteca (INEMGUA — Kekchi Mennonite Church), Deb Byler focuses on the spiritual growth and leadership development among the women leaders in the Kekchi Mennonite Church. Her ministry, through Mennonite Mission Network, includes visits, preparation of materials, and encouragement for women developing and using their gifts in their churches and […]