Count down the twelve days of service with MVS!
The song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ begins with a rather lavish gift (a live bird in a fruit tree), and only gets more extravagant from there. But what might the song look like for Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) and Service Adventure units across the country, whose focus on grassroots community and simple living rules […]
Thanksgiving is bittersweet when celebrated with people looking for a place to belong
Joseph and Rachel Givens serve with Mennonite Mission Network in Calais, France, at Maria Skobtsova House, where they, with other volunteers, offer temporary shelter to people fleeing persecution and poverty. In the United States, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on life and all the things that we’re thankful for. It’s a time when people […]
Witness to Jesus comes from position of vulnerability
Christy Harrison, Peter Sensenig and their family have been in N’Djamena, Chad since 2022. Peter teaches at Faculté de Théologie Evangélique Shalom (Shalom Evangelical University of Chad — FATES). Christy works as a nurse/midwife. They are jointly appointed with Eastern Mennonite Mission. Flooding in Chad was so serious this year that Christy Harrison, Peter Sensenig and their children […]
Say, “Bonjour!” to Joseph and Rachel
Find out what a “typical” day looks like for Joseph and Rachel Givens, the facilitators for the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais, France. Together with their family, the Givens welcome people who are on the move through Europe and seeking refuge en route to England. The Skobtsova house offers temporary shelter and meals. “[Our job is] […]
Here with purpose: Gloria Guadarrama
Every organization has a purpose; an answer to the deceptively simple question, "Why?" At Mennonite Mission Network, that "why?" is to lead, mobilize and equip the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ across the street, all through the marketplaces and around the world. In this Q&A series, Mission Network asks staff […]
Jonah and Memee Yang contextualize the gospel in the Hmong culture
?Jonah and Memee Yangs ministry grew out of their recommitment to follow Gods call to mend relationships and foster theology in Southeast Asia. NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) Jonah and Memee Yang kept running from their ministry. God kept chasing after them. Today, Jonah and Memee are mission associates with Mennonite Mission Network. They […]
Journeys of hope “all through the night”
SOOPers Barbara West and Kathy Howell spent six weeks volunteering at Maria Skobtsova House, a sanctuary for refugees, that maintains a prayerful presence in Calais, France. Upon their return, they shared reflections with their home congregation, Corvallis Mennonite Fellowship in Corvallis, Oregon. Identifying information about Skobtsova House guests has been changed, including their names. We went into this […]
Here with purpose: Joe Sawatzky
Every organization has a purpose; an answer to the deceptively simple question, "Why?" At Mennonite Mission Network, that "why?" is to lead, mobilize and equip the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ — across the street, all through the marketplaces and around the world. In this Q&A series, Mission Network asks staff […]
Albuquerque Service Adventure shared a southwest blend of faith and friendship for 25 years
After 25 years, the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Service Adventure unit concludes, marking a quarter century-long grand adventure for its supporting community. NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) – Every August, fresh-faced participants from the U.S. and abroad arrive at Service Adventure (a program of Mennonite Mission Network) units across the country, welcomed by local supporting church […]
Living in community
🚧CAUTION!🚧 Part of living in community means working through conflicts together! Service Adventure unit leaders model conflict resolution skills for participants, mentoring them as they learn. Unit leaders don’t do it alone, though. Each unit is supported by local advocacy teams and Mennonite Mission Network staff. Together, they make sure units have all the tools […]
Wishing your summer looked a little more global?
Youth Venture is your ticket! 🌍 Hear from last year’s Benin team leaders on what made the trip unforgettable. Youth Venture is a short term summer service and learning program that connects you with a team of other young people to discover and experience the work that God is doing in the world. Don’t wait! Teams […]
Redefining the future of service
Are service programs dying? No! Maybe? But there’s no doubt we need to get back to viewing service as an alternative way of life. This article first appeared in the March issue of Anabaptist World. Are service programs dying? This is a question I get asked through my role as a representative for Mennonite Mission Network. It usually […]