Growing the church in the rural neighborhood
If you are inclined to use words like “depressed,” “declining,” or “disappearing” to describe the state of rural churches today, you will find hope in reading this booklet. Brad Roth, himself a pastor in small-town Moundridge, Kansas, believes it is time to take a new look at the rural church reality. “In a lot of […]
God’s word finds fertile soil in Burkina Faso
In 1982, Anne Garber (Kompaoré) and Gail Wiebe (Toevs) arrived in the village of Kotoura, Burkina Faso, believing that their work would only entail translation and linguistics. They had carefully laid out plans about how to present the good news of Jesus gradually and in culturally appropriate ways. According to their plan, they thought it […]
La palabra de Dios encuentra tierra fértil en Burkina Faso
En 1982, Anne Garber (Kompaoré) y Gail Wiebe (Toevs) llegaron al poblado de Kotoura, Burkina Faso, creyendo que su trabajo solo consistiría en traducción y lingüística. Habían planificado meticulosamente cómo presentar las Buenas Nuevas de Jesús de una manera gradual y culturalmente apropiada. De acuerdo a sus planes, ellas pensaron que pasarían unos 20 años […]
Peacemaking transforms conflict in South Africa
"All nations will stream toward the mountain of God’s house, saying, ‘Come, let’s learn the way God works, so we can live in God’s ways.’ God will make things right between many peoples. They’ll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight nation." —Isaiah 2:3-4, adapted from The […]
Love is a verb
The Mennonite Church USA Convention that recently met in Orlando, Florida, had as its theme “Love is a verb.” Some New Testament verses that capture well the sentiment expressed in that theme are found in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I […]
God’s Country
With the poetic force of Kathleen Norris and the pastoral warmth of Eugene Peterson, Kansas pastor Roth sets forth a vision for vibrant rural churches, for ministry in congregations that bear a profound sense of both loss and possibility, and for harvesting fruits of transformation and renewal. Rooted in stories from Scripture, his own ministry, […]
Make me an instrument of your peace
Munny’s* head hurt. The yelling. The screaming. In his small home, he couldn’t get away from it. Munny loved his parents, but hated when they argued. He wanted them to find better ways of resolving conflict. As in many cultures, “domestic violence is a real issue [in these communities],” said Samuel*, whose work in Southeast […]
Hazme un instrumento de tu paz
Munny* tiene dolor de cabeza. Los gritos. Los chillidos. En su pequeña casita, él no podía dejar de oírlos. Munny amaba a sus padres, pero odiaba escucharlos discutir. Quería que encontraran mejores maneras de entenderse. Así como en muchas culturas, “la violencia doméstica es algo muy común [en estas comunidades],” dijo Samuel* cuyo trabajo en […]
Live Your Call
Is this what my life was meant to be? Caught up in the everyday realities of life? Are you left wondering how you fit into God’s larger mission? Live Your Call empowers and motivates women to name and share their gifts as they serve God. This twelve-session Bible study guides women toward the Spirit’s gentle nudging or […]
God’s children dream for a better Botswana
In anticipation of the post-Pentecost mission of his followers, Jesus trained and prepared his disciples. He instructs them with these words before he sends them: “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to […]
A miracle for Marina
One day in 2004, another child was brought to Annette and Paco Castillo. This tiny person did not speak at all, despite appearing to be about 3 years old. Her name was Marina Bankole and she was warmly welcomed into the growing family at La Casa Grande, a children’s home in Benin and a Mennonite […]
Un milagro para Marina
Un día del 2007, a Annette y Paco Castillo les llevaron otra niña. Esta niña no hablaba, a pesar de que parecía tener unos 3 años. Se llamó Marina Bankole y la recibieron en su familia —cada vez más grande— de La Casa Grande, un hogar de niños de Benín y socio de la Red […]