Story 2: Building trust in shaky times
People thrive and grow in trusted and mutual relationships, which are essential during these difficult times. An example of these solid relationships involved my fellowship with Oxford Circle Mennonite Church (OCMC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the first Sunday of August — their first Sunday back in person after pandemic protocols loosened. OCMC is a diverse […]
Story 3: Transforming Down Under
Mary, my spouse, and I were asked to lead a two-day online retreat for pastors in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the theme, "Pastoring In A Pandemic." Churches were experiencing lockdown conditions, and pastors were finding their way as leaders of congregations that were struggling with the changes. We began the retreat […]
Story 4: Missiology shaped by servanthood
In one of the most important collection of essays on mission and Anabaptism, the late Wilbert Shenk noted: "Amid the extremisms of the day and the erosions of the past, and the uncertainties of the future, the messianic community is privileged to bear witness … The fundamental missionary stance is that of the servant. […]
Story 5: All invited to the Lamb’s throne
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs […]
Story 6: Pandemic forges transforming mission
The pandemic offered us spaces of transformation to do mission. And by the grace of the Lamb, we are discovering new ways to assist families in crisis. In all this time, God has provided and guided us to distribute food and supplies; bring medicine and act as "nurses;" encourage the little ones with some toys; […]
Transforming for our time
The miracle we are becoming By Laurie Oswald Robinson The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly has become an almost ho-hum symbol of transformation. And yet, there is nothing mundane about a belly-crawling bug that takes to the skies in a multicolored dance of wings. It is a true miracle when an […]
Remembering forward
Centennial festivities began in Argentina in 2017 to celebrate the arrival of the first Mennonite missionaries sent to Latin America. They were sent by Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM) — a predecessor agency of today’s Mennonite Mission Network. Two years later, in 2019, Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Argentina (IEMA, Argentina Mennonite Church) commemorated the centennial anniversary of its […]
60 minute gluten-free dinner rolls
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — Hospitality takes many forms. For Open Door Mennonite Church in Jackson, Mississippi, the act of giving and receiving hospitality is often expressed through food. Every second Sunday of the month, the congregation gathers together, after the service, to share a potluck meal. As the host congregation for the Jackson […]
Recipe for gluten-free, sugar-free brownies
NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — Hospitality takes many forms. For Open Door Mennonite Church in Jackson, Mississippi, the act of giving and receiving hospitality is often expressed through food. Every second Sunday of the month, the congregation gathers together, after the service, to share a potluck meal. As the host congregation for the Jackson […]
Mission workers to extend hospitality to refugees in France
Joseph and Rachel Givens are developing a support community to host people fleeing violence. They will join a ministry of partnership with organizations in France and the United Kingdom to offer a temporary home and place of prayer in Calais, France.
Resiliency in Service Adventure
For 30-plus years, Service Adventure has empowered hundreds of young people, ages 17-20, to mature and grow beyond their childhood communities. For 10 months, within the embrace of unit homes and host church families, Service Adventure participants serve with various organizations in Christ’s name, as well as participate in weekly faith formation and learning experiences […]
An open door to hospitality
Where do you see hospitality? Join Horace McMillon, pastor of Open Door Mennonite Church in Jackson, Mississippi, and learn what hospitality means to the Open Door community. This video is a part of Mission Sunday 2021, a resource series that helps equip churches to learn about and celebrate mission in the month of November. To […]