I thank the Mennonites who have served in Benin for a quality that I rarely see in other mission organizations and in my work as director for French-speaking Africa with Groupes Bibliques Universitaires (a Bible study group for university students). I rub shoulders with many missions. Mennonites understand that a patronizing stance has no place in a partnership. Partnership is not a relationship between an employer and employees.
Mennonites understand that partners have equal status with one another. Each member brings their contribution and accepts responsibility for nurturing the shared vision toward fulfillment. Thus, good relationships and mutual respect serve as the background canvas on which partners paint their Christian witness for the world around them. It is this element of mutual respect and the biblical understanding of the shared humanity of all people that has permitted our partnership with Mennonites to evolve into the long and fruitful ministries we enjoy today.
Mennonites share our passion for training leaders to lead wisely and well. They have generously helped to train professors and administrators for Benin Bible Institute, as well as a director for our agro-pastoral training farm. They have helped us build adequate infrastructures that enable us to serve our communities and share Jesus’ love.
Not only have four institutions emerged from our partnership—Benin Bible Institute, Bethesda Hospital, an award-winning community development organization, and a flourishing community bank—but these institutions have multiplied throughout the entire country and spilled over to bless neighboring countries, too.
While Benin Bible Institute deepens the spiritual understanding of Beninese churches, Bethesda Hospital takes care of members’ physical health, PEBCo (Promotion d’Epargne-Crédit à Base Communautaire—Promotion of Community-based Savings and Loans) helps maximize financial resources, and DCAM (Développement Communautaire et Assainissement du Milieu—Community Development and Environmental Hygiene) helps strengthen our social relationships.
This overview shows our collaboration with Mennonites has truly succeeded in becoming holistic mission, a model of biblical partnership that merits being repeated throughout the world.
