New Executive Coordinators for AIMM introduced — Part 2
The second video in a two part series. Sharon Norton and Steve Wiebe-Johnson, co-directors for Africa and Europe, introduce John Fumana and Bruce Yoder who are the new Executive Coordinators for Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM). They share a brief history of AIMM, missiological insights they have, and give their vision for the future of the […]
Small grants bring hope to people in Ukraine
Sharon Norton, co-director for Africa and Europe ministries for Mennonite Mission Network, interviews long-term worker, Mary Raber. Mary tells stories of how even very small grants have made a difference in the lives of people in Ukraine. She is currently working from her home in the U.S. and hopes to return to Ukraine next spring.
Hope brings comfort: Being the gospel through crisis
As the coronavirus continues to infect our world, it’s important not to forget that before COVID-19, crises were already raging around the world. These ongoing crises are destroying the well-being of people and thrusting them into harm’s way. Not only are these crises still happening, but they have been exacerbated by the pandemic. People […]
As sheep sent to sheep—Missional Meditations
Looking at the scriptures with an eye toward mission. Joe Sawatzky shares a Missional Meditation entitled, "As sheep sent to sheep" based on the Revised Common Lectionary for November 22, 2020. Christ our Shepherd sends us as sheep to other sheep, to give and to receive the hospitality of the kingdom. Ephesians 1:15-23 Psalm 100 Ezekiel 34:11-24 Matthew 25:31-46 […]
Walking together
In East St. Louis, Illinois, in 1929, Joseph Raglin set the world record for bricklaying, by laying 3,472 bricks in 60 minutes — an astonishing rate of 58 bricks per minute. Raglin’s record remains, as do many of the brick roads he expertly and painstakingly built alongside the Conley brothers: William, John and Elijah. Bricklayers […]
A tale of two worlds and one God of abundant hope
The COVID-19 pandemic threw Mennonite Mission Network into a Charles Dickens-like "tale of two cities" during its previous fiscal year, spanning Aug. 1, 2019 – July 30, 2020. To paraphrase Dickens, it was the best and worst of times … it was the spring of hope and the winter of despair. During the final four […]
Story 1: Distributing care packages; reformatting ministries
Directors of Mennonite Mission Network’s service programs reflect on how service opportunities pave a stronger pathway for the future Anabaptist church. On March 24, at the outset of the shut-down in the United States, Mission Network’s Executive Cabinet released thousands of dollars of emergency funds to help its partners throughout the world. Mission Network […]
Story 2: Providing an emotional-spiritual “vaccine” for isolation
Jason Boone, coordinating minister for Mennonite Mission Network’s Peace and Justice Support Network (PJSN), woke up March 17 with the COVID-19 pandemic heavy on his heart. He sensed a call for Mission Network to provide a new ministry of hope during harrowing times that could connect people of faith who are isolated from public worship and […]
Story 3: Praying and caring for supporters
In lieu of face-to-face visits with supporters, Donor Relations representatives made personal phone calls and emailed prayers, said Karen Horsman, Mission Network’s director of Donor Relations. In a blog post marking the U.S. National Day of Charity Sept. 5, Horsman wrote, "Our phone calls reached lonely people who were isolated from family and friends. They […]
Story 4: Persevering in Christian Service programs
The pandemic shut down many endeavors, but it did not succeed in doing so with Mission Network’s Christian Service programs. In all cases, directors are either reconfiguring service and discipleship opportunities or regrouping for 2021. Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR) executive director Andrea Sawyer-Kirksey: Instead of canceling summer programs, DOOR, a partner agency […]