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 […]
Active pacifism
I heard it again last week. A friend who belongs to another Christian denomination said he believed in nonviolence, but could never call himself a pacifist. "Pacifism is too disengaged, not active enough in the face of evil." We had a lively discussion about this. You’ve likely heard this same complaint and had similar discussions. […]
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 […]
For such a time as this
Perhaps you were born for such a time as this. —Esther 4:14 This passage from Esther comes to my mind lately as the Peace and Justice Support Network goes about its work of strengthening and supporting peace and justice across Mennonite Church USA. As upheavals in political, economic and social realms continue to reverberate, I […]
When one part suffers
Why is racial justice vital to mission? Because God desires to restore community. “Diversity is a biblical imperative, not a political issue, or a human resource issue,” Leroy Barber said, as he described John’s vision in Revelation 7. “John looks out and sees every tribe, tongue and nation. For him to see that, there needed […]
Cuando un miembro sufre
“Por qué la justicia racial es un aspecto vital de la misión? Por el simple hecho de que Dios desea restaurar la comunidad. “La diversidad es un imperativo bíblico, no una cuestión política, o un problema para el departamento de recursos humanos,” dice Leroy Barber, al describir la visión de Juan en Apocalipsis 7. “Juan […]
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 […]
Shaped by service
Daniel Morales* was 5 years old when he was abandoned by his parents, and he survived living on the streets. Even at that young age, gangs tried to intimidate him to join. As a teen, Daniel escaped the pressure, and traveled on top of trains through Mexico to the United States—a journey many deem as […]
Moldeados por el servicio
Daniel Morales* tenía 5 años cuando sus padres lo abandonaron y sobrevivió viviendo en la calle. Aun a esa edad tan temprana, las pandillas intentaron intimidarlo para que se les uniera. De adolescente, Daniel escapó de aquella presión y viajó por México sobre trenes hasta llegar a Estados Unidos, en un viaje que muchos consideran […]