Practical and profound
The growth of a vibrant movement of voluntary service is an inspiring story of simple, youthful, practical Christian idealism applied to human suffering and struggle. Many Mennonite voluntary or alternative service programs birthed sincere discipleship convictions and unleashed the latent talent and skills of thousands of young men and women engaged in peaceful service. […]
Walking in peace through perplexing times
Though they grew up in different eras, many young people in the past seven and a half decades have shared a similar dream: In a world of militarism, materialism and me-ism, they desired to seek a road less traveled. Instead of marching to the beat of the times, they wanted to follow Jesus into a […]
Timeline of service
Henry Hochstetler cultivating at CPS Camp 138 in Malcolm, Nebraska, in 1946. 1940–1960 World War II was underway when the 1940s began. Historic peace churches responded to this violence by creating peace-oriented conduits for service. For example, in the United States, Civilian Public Service (CPS) provided an alternative to military service during World War II. […]
Directing the next steps
Directors of Mennonite Mission Network’s service programs reflect on how service opportunities pave a stronger pathway for the future Anabaptist church. Five options for service through Mission Network include: • SOOP (Service Opportunities with Our Partners): Participants use their gifts and skills to work alongside others in a network of ministries across the church. […]
The arena of God’s love
When I was a child, I learned a song that was as memorable for the peculiarity of singing the scriptural citation—First John Four Seven and Eight–as for the poetry of its King James prose—and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. Decades later, as a Mennonite Mission Network worker in South Africa, […]
God called me to plant a church. Now what?
If you feel that God is calling you to start a peace church, the Sent Network has the tools you need to begin your journey. The launch date is coming soon and there is still room for potential peace church planters. The resources in the Sent Network are designed to help church planters carry out […]
Mennonite Voluntary Service webinar
Watch Mennonite Mission Network’s webinar celebrating the 75th anniversary of Mennonite Voluntary Service. Learn how God inspired many to live out their faith through service and how the program continues to move young people to put their faith into action. Speakers Stefan Baumgartner, is a 2015–17 MVS Alumn, now living in San Francisco, California. He currently is […]
Sent conference emboldens church planters to heed and hold on to their holy calling
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado (Mennonite Mission Network) – When Gisselle Guity and several other women sensed a call to plant a church among marginalized women in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2014, they quickly moved forward – and then stalled. They had tenderness of heart for abused women in poverty, but they lacked the tools for sustaining […]
Alumni service-learning tour to Mississippi
The civil rights struggle stepped out of history and came to life for 12 alumni of Mennonite Mission Network short-term service programs. From Mar. 9–16, Arloa Bontrager, SOOP and Youth Venture director, and Susan Nisly, Service Adventure director, led a learning tour through Mississippi. Each tour participant had served in one of Mission Network’s smorgasbord […]