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; […]
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.
Preparing for a new Service Adventure program year
When the Kansas prairies endured a 100-degree heat wave in late July, at least one person was happy to soak up the heat. Michael Oyer, who is beginning his third year long term as the leader of the Anchorage, Alaska, Service Adventure unit, made the trek down to the Midwest to participate in this year’s […]
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 […]
We can’t keep quiet
The theme of MCUSA convention in 2005 was "Can’t keep quiet." 16 years later, that still rings true. We have a joyful, hopeful message given to us by God — and of course, we can’t keep quiet. We endeavor to reveal and partner in God’s mission in the world. Mission is about extending the worship […]