God delights in uncut stones
This blog post is adapted from a sermon Faith Bell gave at Fairhaven Mennonite Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she is a member. In the beginning, God created everything. When God created humans, God described this creation as very good. Despite God’s beautiful declaration of goodness, I have often considered being called human as […]
Hygiene kits help restore dignity to young women in Congo
The socioeconomic situation of our country, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is precarious. The unemployment rate is very high, and in many cases, a family can afford to send only one or two children to school at a time. Often, boys are selected first, which means girls are left at home. Many of these girls […]
Mission Network ministries address refugee needs
In a sad coincidence, Father’s Day and World Refugee Day fell on the same date this year, June 20. As we honored fathers and their role in building homes and structures to nurture their families, we also remembered those families who bravely struggle through the unimaginable forces that rip fathers from their loved ones. Mennonite […]
Sharing stories of healing, seminars of hope
Editor’s Note: Here is a roster of times and places where you will find the in-person and virtual seminars listed below. The first chapter of the Gospel of John warms our hearts with the reality of God’s incarnational embodiment in our world: "And the Word became flesh and lived among us" John 1:14 (NRSV). God […]
A dad gives and receives
Editor’s Note: Ken Regier, director of Program Human Resources for Mennonite Mission Network, was invited to write this personal reflection on Father’s Day. I began working for Mennonite Mission Network as a personnel counselor in 2002. In my role, I encouraged hundreds of young adults to consider taking time from their normal routines to serve others. Often, […]
Mission Network undergoing anti-racism re-evaluation
ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Mission Network) — Mennonite Mission Network is renewing its commitment to be an anti-racist organization. In response to the heightened awareness of systemic racism in the United States and abroad, the mission agency is reevaluating its current internal culture and practices to become more effective and caring in its ministries. Mission Network […]
Recapping the beginnings of SOOP
In the Mid-1980s, as many as 90 people were serving with Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM), a predecessor agency to Mennonite Mission Network. At this time, SOOP (Service Opportunities with Our Partners) was known as Winter Voluntary Service (VS). MBM staff witnessed how retired adults offered many gifts, and had significant life experiences, greater flexibility […]
MVS unit ends, service legacy lives on
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) —After two-plus decades of housing Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) participants such as Jessica Penner, the New York City unit closed earlier this year. Yet, Penner believes the closure will never obscure the new vistas that the Mennonite Mission Network program opened up for her ongoing life’s journey. In a recent interview, Penner […]
Fire, finances are no match for AMC fortitude
Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a series describing the experiences of Service Adventure units’ host congregations. This Mennonite Mission Network program, birthed in 1989 by Mennonite Board of Missions, a Mission Network predecessor agency, is designed for 17- to 20-year-olds, as a gap year between high school and college. The five Service […]
Discover the face of God in the city or on your screen!
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — If your church or family group is looking for a service opportunity this summer, whether on the ground in cities across the U.S. or on the computer screen across your kitchen table, DOOR Discover is ready for you! DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) is now accepting interest […]
Pandemic pivots bring positive results
To mark the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mennonite Mission Network writers sought reflections from global partners and workers. Below is the fourth and final reflection in a series on how the pandemic has invited communities to receive God’s grace for seeking new ways of doing ministry. Here are the first, second and third stories in the series. Deb […]
Moving from Servant Projects to Service in a Box
Service in a box (request a kit) NEWS RELEASE NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — Revamping Servant Projects into "Service in a Box" for Mennonite Church USA’s first hybrid Convention (virtual and onsite) means that MennoCon21 participants won’t need to attend the in-person events in Cincinnati, Ohio, to engage in a service opportunity — often a […]