Focus: Recent Episodes
Eastern Mennonite Missions
Christ's transforming love compels us to cross cultures, engage the world, and make disciples of Jesus.
Focus is a weekly 4-minute radio program of EMM which airs on WDAC (94.5 FM) on Saturdays at 8:55 p.m.
EMM worker Stacy Prknova felt a long-standing call to church planting, a calling that began even before she moved to the Czech Republic. As a member of West End Mennonite Fellowship, she gained practical experience by participating in one of their church plants, understanding the importance of knowing how a church operates before venturing abroad. When she sensed God’s nudge to join EMM in the Czech Republic, she felt ready, even though she had no idea how many years it would take before that dream would materialize. For years, the desire for church planting lay dormant while she engaged in various ministry opportunities. At times, she questioned her role in church planting in the Czech Republic, but everything changed when she met Voyta, who became her husband. His background in house church ministry resonated with her and deepened their connection.
Somewhere in the archives of EMM, there is a video taken with a camcorder in October of 1990 of the first baptism of the Peruvian Mennonite Church. There might also be some slides or even some fuzzy photos taken with a film camera of that highly significant day. Somehow, by the grace of God, a church was born on October 12, 1990! Steve and Beth Gibbs were fortunate enough, along with other EMM missionaries and a good number of Peruvians, to be witnesses of all that took place that day. While many things have changed in the 35 years that have passed since then, the Jesus movement that began that day has continued.
EMM workers John and Debbie Coats are thankful for positive developments among the staff of the children’s program they run in Cambodia. These stories represent the first young Christian families in their villages, marking the second generation of believers. The initial believers came to faith in the early 1990s, and now their young children have grown up, married fellow believers, and started their own Christian families. This is a new phenomenon in the area. Unfortunately, many young Christians in Cambodia marry non-believers and often drift away from the church.
Multiplication is a buzzword in many missions and church circles regarding the expansion of the kingdom of God. Let’s say you start with one church. At some point, the church plants a second church. Later, another church is planted, and you have three. When a fourth church is planted, there are four. That’s addition.
Now, think of it another way. Let’s say you start with one church. And at some point, that church multiplies itself and becomes two churches. Later, those two churches each multiply themselves, and there are four. And after that, the four churches multiply and become eight.
There isn’t a huge difference between four and eight, but as you go further down the chain, the difference between addition and multiplication becomes exponentially larger.
“Called: Taking the Next Step” is a 24 hour retreat that is co-sponsored by EMM and LMC. We will engage with these three themes: Direction, preparation and timing, by worshiping, learning, and reflecting with others. Together we will respond to the nudge of God’s Spirit and break through the inertia in our lives. You can learn more and register online at emm.org/called.
A dream came true for Elizabeth* this past summer when she had the opportunity to travel to Great Britain and attend the summer school of a community she belongs to called "Movement in Worship." Elizabeth had joined the online community several years prior because, as many of her friends know, using movement to express her worship is one of her primary love languages with the Father. Deep down inside, singing a worship song without moving to it usually feels to her like reading a recipe in a cookbook without actually making or eating the food.
EMM workers Owen and Abby recently moved to the same village where EMM workers John and Debbie live. The family rented a truck recommended by friends, but it turned out to be much smaller than expected, requiring some creative packing to get everything loaded. Over ten people came out early to help, and despite packing well beyond its capacity, they still had to ship Owen's motorbike. The trip to the village with the loaded truck was quite entertaining.
Kingdom Teams (or K-Teams) were dynamic experiences this summer for the students served through a migrant education program, the K-Teams staff, and the youth who participated in the teams. Kingdom Teams Director German Bernardez led a K-Teams staff that included Esther Milonde Makoma, Sapjah Zapotitla, and Yokebed Zapotitla.
In May, Valerie Mumau ended her five-month outreach in Upala, Costa Rica, and returned to the base in Heredia, Costa Rica. As May turned into June, she transitioned into the final chapter of Vida220, known as VidaMissions. VidaMissions is a two-month period during which youth groups, school groups, or families can come to Costa Rica and experience a ten-day mission trip. This summer, there were three ten-day periods during which groups could participate, and Valerie enjoyed being a part of all three.
EMM worker Jan Heindel serves in Dobris, which is in the Czech Republic, by teaching English, building local relationships, and discipling youth and young adults in her local congregation. She strives to model a biblical lifestyle in post-Christian Europe and nurture others into the freedom and life that Jesus offers.
EMM worker William Higgins serves globally, providing discipleship training, leadership development, and mutual learning and encouragement with EMM’s partners. Recently, William found himself in Ethiopia, specifically in Bishoftu, an hour south of Addis Ababa. This vast nation, home to 120 million people, also holds the largest Anabaptist national church in the world: the Meserete Kristos Church (MKC), meaning "Christ the Foundation Church." In 2022, the MKC had 515,000 members, a number that swelled to nearly a million when including unbaptized individuals and children.
John and Debbie Coats organized two workshops on training Cambodian Christian leaders on how to deal with spiritual bondages, including unrepentance and past ties to cults. Debbie wrote the materials, organized the workshops, and worked together with several Cambodian leaders who conducted the teaching.
Over the past few months, the Werts have picked up snippets of positive faith stories in the UK and abroad. So it has been an absolute joy for them to read The Bible Society of England and Wales’ recent report, “The Quiet Revival”. And what good news it is!
In 2016, a friend of EMM worker Bethany Tobin, named Songkran got a vision to move to the Nam Yuen district of Thailand and begin sharing the gospel. With the vision for multiplication he received through the leadership coaching with the Life Enrichment Church, he believed his witness would not just bring one person to faith or start one church, but catalyze a multiplication of house-churches. Audacious for a twenty-something, self-supported lay leader with a sixth-grade education? Not when you know the viral potential of Jesus’s Kingdom.
In Dangriga, Belize, Tim Groff and his team remain committed to their mission: to identify, disciple, and release. What does that mean? They spend time with many young adults, helping to identify potential leaders. They participate in and invest in a variety of discipleship opportunities for both young and older individuals. Actively seeking avenues for emerging leaders, they aim to have them ‘released’ or ‘sent’ to participate in ministry opportunities.
Last fall, Elizabeth took a course from Identity Exchange, the ministry of Jamie Winship, known for his incredible testimonies of God at work in his own life. After that, Elizabeth put together a workshop to lead people in Jamie’s basic "identity exchange" process with Jesus. In her own life, Elizabeth has found it helpful to do this exercise with Jesus again and again whenever she finds herself feeling and thinking negative and untrue things about herself in any situation that arises.
As Michael Clancy enters his eighth year as an urban missionary, he wholeheartedly dedicates himself to helping men transition from prison and programs back into society. Back in 2016, he met Shawn, a man with long hair and a warm smile. Shawn first attended Michael's Bible studies at the Lebanon County Correctional Facility, and soon after, he became part of their congregation through the Life Change program at Jubilee Ministries. Their relationship grew as Michael began to walk alongside him in discipleship, which continues today.
In his few years of ministry, Austin Zuercher has repeatedly seen this happen: he makes what he thinks is a well-thought-out plan, and in the end, it changes. He can choose to follow the vision God has given him and move forward, or step back due to obstacles. Every single time, Austin has observed that despite challenges, when the team steps forward in faith, God makes things more beautiful than they could imagine.
The Anabaptist movement celebrates its 500th anniversary this year. In these five centuries, Anabaptist churches have been multiplied around the world, making it a truly global movement. In fact, current statistics from Mennonite World Conference show that there are 2.1 million baptized Anabaptist church members around the world. Of that 2.1 million, only 28 percent of members are from the U.S. or Canada, and only 3 percent of members are from Europe. Perhaps you have heard these numbers before, or something similar. So, how did we get to this place today?
Jeremy and Jennifer* are EMM regional representatives for Southeast Asia. Their theme for this year has been ‘brokering relationships’. This is a new term Jeremy learned during a 20-hour road trip with an amazing group of people in the highlands of Vietnam. Jeremy and Jennifer have always seen relationships as the means and the ends of what they do in cross-cultural work. But as they understand their role better and deepen their connections around the world and locally, the need to broker, steward, and connect those relationships effectively is becoming their most important task.
Lena Kauffman served as a participant in the 2023–24 Advance cohort. She is currently serving as an Advance staff intern for the 2024–25 Advance team. So what inspired Lena to stay on as Advance staff? As Lena approached the end of her outreach, she found herself contemplating two options: returning to serve or going to college. She struggled to decide until she realized she could pursue both simultaneously.
Rat intestines for lunch, anyone? Wear a matching shirt with your host family. Sit on the floor for hours. Find creative ways to communicate when there is no shared language. Tag along on a hospital visit, a wedding, visiting neighbors, worshiping in outlying villages, helping sell grilled meat. These are just a few of the new experiences that participants in the new Isaan Doorways Program have had in recent months!
In 2022, we set a new strategic focus for our work through 2028. This strategic focus, the Kingdom Multiplication Vision, is something with which we are diligently engaging to see people come to know Jesus. This episode of Focus serves as a way to update you on the progress we are making, and also to highlight the room for opportunity that we have together in our work of sharing Christ’s transforming love with the world.
Jen Hoover, her husband, Daryl, and their sons serve with EMM and VidaNet in Costa Rica. This Focus is looking at a beautiful reflection written by Jen about another employee with VidaNet and how Jesus' light shines through her.
A soccer club has provided Genie* with amazing opportunities to connect with kids and share the gospel. She has had the chance to lead the end-of-club devotional/encouragement and was able to share a lesson about how we are all created unique and special to God. This was a special moment she will remember with much joy.
Sarah prayed, “Dear Lord, if it is in your will please allow the door to be opened so we can go into her house and pray for her and her family.” Just as soon as those words had come out of Sarah’s mouth, the little girl Sarah was praying about, and her mother walked by. It was God’s perfect timing....
“That would be the worst job in the world!” EMM worker Elizabeth* thought to herself the first time she heard of “recruiting full-time intercessors to join overseas church-planting teams.” She pictured the full-time intercessor locked up in a room from 9 to 5 with lists of all the problems in the country, reading these lists out loud to God over and over again. But now, she calls it the best job in the world!
Sarah Ariola has now been in the Gambia for several months, and she is experiencing living in community in West Africa on a new level. She and the rest of the EMM team pretty much do everything together. They even share a meal in one bowl called a "community bowl.”
Throughout this month, God has been showing Ana Borntrager that living overseas is not a big profound thing; it’s simply navigating mundane life in a new context. She finds it amusing how, as Christians, people tend to put missions up on a pedestal. For Ana, it’s about learning how to relate to the people around her, navigating the basic necessities of life, and sharing everyday experiences.
Exciting changes are happening with Carissa Sherer as Hope for Home is preparing to move to its new location in the town of Parramos. The moving day is February 12, and it will be quite the ordeal, as they move 13 children with special needs, as well as all of the items necessary to care for them.
Despite having heard the gospel for many years, Biak remained a committed Buddhist. An intelligent man who likes to learn, he explored aspects of Christianity at times, but he was not convinced ... until 2024.
EMM workers Owen and Abby* had just begun a new assignment in a different country in Southeast Asia. Owen and Abby are currently doing language learning at a YWAM base in their current country. They were able to join in some of the ministry to a local village. They celebrated one person choosing to follow Jesus.
If you pass by 450 North Prince Street in Lancaster, you might think it’s just another office building with a coffee shop on the first floor. You might even think that Lancaster doesn’t need another building like this one, even if the coffee and tea are excellent. But that would be an incorrect assumption … because of other activities that you might not notice. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning and evening, Neighbors Community Center is a classroom — several classrooms in fact. These classrooms are filled with adults learning English. They are also filled with laughter and fun.
Ana Borntrager, who is participating in EMM’s Advance program recently arrived safely in Cambodia for the outreach portion of the program. Advance is a 9-month, gap-year program to connect and grow with a team of young adults in a cross-cultural setting through hands-on discipleship training, ongoing mentoring, and missional outreach.
This season we’re reminded of Jesus' birth. An EMM worker named Elizabeth (whose last name we can’t mention due to sensitivity concerns), wrote a beautiful poem about how Jesus' birth calls us to proclaim his life, death, and resurrection to all people around the world.
EMM worker Tim Groff had the opportunity to sit beside Pastor Victor Gonzales on a long van drive from Managua to the village of Orinoco on the Caribbean coast and listen to his stories. As they traveled with other Garifuna pastors from Honduras, they heard amazing stories of faith; the tales of how God had sustained the church among the people living there.
Now, the Advance participants get to take many of these cross-cultural learnings that they gained in Lancaster with the Neighbors Community Center and grow in their learning internationally. One team will go to Cambodia in Southeast Asia and the other team will be going to the Gambia in West Africa.
Today’s Focus is pulled from our Archives — a beautiful poem called “To Give Thanks” written by Daisy Yoder, who with her husband, served with EMM in Ethiopia for more than 20 years. They wrote in 1974 about how they would spend sleepless hours under their shelter in the desert wondering and praying about the mission in the Danakil region of Ethiopia.
If you would like to support EMM’s work of training, we invite you to join us by partnering financially. We encourage you to make a gift to EMM’s Impact Fund by December 31. You can give online. We are so thankful for your continued generosity!
North American Vietnamese Mennonites and EMM began to reengage with the church in Vietnam in the 1990s, spurring on a new season of growth. The church was legally registered and recognized by the government in 2007. Since then, the church continues to see lives transformed and ministry multiplied. In fact, the church has grown more than 400% since 2020.
Ana Borntrager is participating in Advance Global, a 9-month, international discipleship and service opportunity. Ana is halfway through the discipleship portion of Advance. She appreciates all of the prayers during this time. The team has been enjoying the wonderful fall Pennsylvania weather. From fall festivals to corn mazes to the tri-weekly bike rides that Ana takes to the office.
Nelson Kisare, the leader of the Tanzanian Mennonite Church was asked, “What is the most pressing need of your church?” He answered, “First, theological training; second, theological training; third, theological training.” In response to this, William Higgins finds it a privilege to work with our global partner churches in Vietnam, Kenya, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, and other places.
In early 2022, Leon and Naomi showed the course to a dozen couples in south-central Kenya. One of those couples was Stanley and Anne, who pastor a church in the area. They felt that the course strengthened their marriage and gave them the ability to have conversations about areas of their marriage that they stayed away from before.
The Vietnam Mennonite Church consists of over 100 places of worship. The needs for training pastors and workers are great. They have organized a 4-year Bachelor of Theology program (with 20 students in the current cohort), as well as a ministry training certificate program (with 40 students in the current group). Their request for training from EMM workers is for courses in theology, biblical interpretation, and ministry from an Anabaptist perspective.
The Kairos course is an exciting nine lesson interactive study of the purpose and plan of God from Genesis to the end of the age. Focusing on the biblical, historical, strategic, and cultural dimensions of missions, this course seeks to align every believer's worldview with God's heart for the nations and mobilize the whole Church for His global mission. The next course starts on Saturday, October 19, but the deadline to register for thi next course is on Wednesday, October 16. You can learn more and register now online at emm.org/kairos.
Unexpected Peace is a new documentary film that follows social anthropologist and EMM worker Jonathan Bornman as he explores three stories: the Amish school shooting in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania; the murders of Murid migrants from Senegal in Harlem, New York; and Muslim-Christian conflict in Solo, Indonesia. You are invited to the premiere of Unexpected Peace, which will be during the Red Rose Film Festival. The screening will be on Saturday, November 9 at 12:30 p.m. at Penn Cinema in Lititz, Pennsylvania. If you would like to see the full trailer, learn more, and get tickets, go to unexpectedpeace.com.
Kingdom Teams (K-Teams) are short, summer experiences that provide opportunities for youth to engage with discipleship training and cross-cultural service, in the U.S. or (new this year) in the Czech Republic. Check out these few stories of how God was at work through K-Teams this summer.
The Thornes have been experiencing a shift in mindset about money. Frequently, they receive financial requests. From an American perspective, financial requests oftentimes are viewed with some level of suspicion and at times perceived as one not able to be financially “independent.” As they have experienced these requests, the Lord spoke to Nate and said, “Instead of becoming annoyed by the constant requests, see it as a window into the financial hardship that a lot of people are experiencing here.”
EMM’s strategic focus is to identify, equip, and send missional leaders to serve on multi-generational and multi-ethnic teams who invite people to follow Jesus as maturing, multiplying disciples and nurture transforming communities of worship. We primarily focus on least-reached people groups of Central Asia, Central Europe, Southeast Asia, and West Africa, and refugees in Lancaster, Pa.
EMM is passionate about equipping Christians around the world with discipleship, leadership, and cross-cultural training from an Anabaptist perspective. We’re inviting you to a special EMM vision and fundraising banquet to learn more about how God is at work through the ministries of training. We hope you can join us for this year's banquet. The theme is, "A Crown That Lasts Forever." Like last year, we're offering three different banquets! You can learn more and register for the banquet online at emm.org/banquet.
We have another way that you can connect with EMM this fall. If you or someone you know is a business leader, you might want to know about our Business Leaders’ Breakfast on September 24 at 7 a.m. Learn more and register for this event at emm.org/breakfast.
There’s a reason EMM worker Christy Harrison does not work in mission recruitment. If she worked as a recruiter, she would tell potential candidates way too much. If you were interested in working internationally, Christy would tell you that this work is hard and slow. That learning to speak coherently in a new language takes way longer than you ever thought it would.
One of the most encouraging components of Carissa Sherer’s time in Guatemala has been the recurring affirmation she has felt from the Lord in being there now, particularly in this season in the ministry.
For Michael Clancy, Nick* was more than a person to work with: he was a friend who was growing in his relationship with Jesus, even while using drugs, which Michael hated and Nick knew very clearly that Michael did. It was here that Michael was able to walk with Nick in-between the cracks. In an area where a program wouldn’t be able to work, Michael saw an opportunity.
We’re excited to be launching a new course on Radix called The Foundations of Christian Leadership. It will be a hybrid-format course beginning on September 19 — with weekly self-study modules and biweekly video calls. This course will offer a biblical look at Christian leadership focused on three key components: Character, Knowledge, and Skill. Register now at radixtraining.org/foundations.
“We believe the same!” Lea’s friend energetically interjected with a smile and a tap on her desk to reinforce the point. The almost weekly refrain sometimes felt like an indictment that Lea had failed miserably in communicating the basics of her faith.
The image of the overflowing cup comes from the days of David and was a symbol of invitation, welcome, or dismissal. If a host kept the cup full, the guests knew they were welcome. If the cup was empty, not refilled, the host was indicating it was time for the guests to leave. However, if the host really enjoyed the company, he would fill the cup until overflowing and let it spill over the rim, saturating the table.
EMM’s discipleship coach, Dave Houser, has a photo hanging in his office. It’s one of his favorite pictures of himself. He’s riding a yak in front of a mountain. Traveling to that remote area was a dream in Dave’s heart. He had heard it was one of the most unreached places in the world, and he began to pray for the people there to know Jesus. When Dave got the opportunity to go, he started telling people that he was going to ride a yak while he was there.
Finding the lost sheep, coins, or children is so critical to God that he will go out of his way to find them. We are invited into this mission to join God in his work of reconciling all of creation to himself. This is why sharing the good news of Jesus with the least-reached people of the world is so critical to EMM’s work.
When Skip and Carol Tobin and André and Karen Provost and their families first moved to Det Udom in the spring of 1995, there were no known Isaan believers in the region. From the beginning, the team was committed to a contextualized house church planting approach among the rural villages of this primarily rice farming community.
In October of 1990, a group of townspeople and religious leaders voiced their opposition to the first baptism of believers in Lucre, Peru, by resorting to stone-throwing and threats. Surprisingly, two of the initial stone throwers later joined the first Mennonite church in Peru.
After 1979, EMM connected to a Mennonite church in Metapan, northern El Salvador, which was home to displaced individuals who had become Mennonites while residing in Honduras. In the 1960s, hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans migrated to Honduras as their homeland's arable land was taken over for sugar plantations.
By sending James Sauder to lead mobile Bible schools in Haiti several times a year, EMM aimed to promote unity within the body of Christ by empowering Haitians to serve their community. Over time, James spearheaded this initiative, teaching Bible classes and working with a Haitian partner to develop educational materials in Creole. The teaching ministry expanded to the Dominican Republic as per the request of the Region V Council of Spanish Mennonite Churches, with EMM's support.
In 1971, missionaries from EMM were called to the Philippines by Francesco A. Arreola, a former Catholic on a quest for a church aligned with Biblical teachings. Arreola embarked on his journey by baptizing himself and six others in Manila, dissatisfied with existing Protestant sects and striving for a foundation based on Biblical principles. The group dispersed, with many settling in Ilocos Sur, a disadvantaged region in Northwestern Luzon. Years later, Arreola found inspiration in a Mennonite publication that led to a connection with the EMM.
A few weeks ago, we talked about the Honduras Mennonite Church, but we’re looking at another movement that EMM helped to start in Honduras. Tegucigalpa served as a vibrant hub for a youth ministry initiative. Ed and Gloria King, former literacy advocates, initiated an informal drop-in center that drew in twenty to thirty young individuals four evenings a week. Additionally, a bilingual coffeehouse on Friday evenings attracted a similar number of attendees.
Jacob E. Brubaker's vision of establishing a Mennonite mission in Guatemala came to fruition in 1967, with efforts concentrated in the Alta Verapaz Province and Guatemala City. The mission, a collaborative effort between the EMM and the Washington-Franklin County Conference, aimed to address the spiritual needs of the Kekchi Mayans, who lacked gospel access. Initial investigation highlighted the necessity of starting in both rural and urban settings to maintain connections with community members moving to cities for better prospects.
In Western Kenya, the growth of the Mennonite Church was closely linked to local needs and culture, engaging meaningfully across borders. Early influences from Tanzania paved the way for a strong religious presence in the Suna area, driven by African Christian missionaries like Zedikia Kisare. Despite initial resistance from the Kenyan government in 1945, persistent advocacy by individuals such as Jonathan Mabeche and Clyde Shenk led to official church recognition in 1965.
In 1960, EMM began work in British Honduras, now Belize, to assist German-speaking Mennonite colonies from Mexico. This Mennonite group had migrated from Russia to Canada in the 1870s and then to Mexico in the 1920s. In Belize, they settled in areas like Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek, facing challenges such as land clearing and lack of medical facilities. EMM, in collaboration with MCC, provided health services, financial assistance, and material aid.
Recognizing a receptive environment for humanitarian aid during the refugee crisis, MCC began relief efforts in Vietnam in 1955, providing clothing, food, and medical assistance. This laid the foundation for future Mennonite missions and service programs.
Jacob E. Brubaker, a Lancaster preacher intrigued by banana boats in New York, envisioned a mission in Guatemala, starting a discussion among his congregation in Lancaster. This curiosity led to an exploration of Central America, after a 1948 mission conference sponsored by East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church.
In the early 1930s, as the EMM launched its mission in Tanganyika, Ethiopia became a parallel interest. Struggling under Italian occupation from 1935, Ethiopia saw Emperor Haile Selassie I flee in 1936, only to return five years later to continue modernization efforts. Post-World War II, the Mennonite Church initiated a relief program in Nazareth, Ethiopia, marked by the establishment of the Haile Mariam Mammo Memorial Hospital in 1947. EMM deliberated on missionary work in Ethiopia, eventually sending Daniel and Blanche Sensenig in 1947 to lay the groundwork under a mandate that included educational and medical services alongside evangelism.
Eastern Mennonite Missions has sent many missionaries worldwide, ministering in over 100 countries. Through God's faithfulness, we've helped start over 20 mission movements, reaching least-reached people. Now, we ask, "Will God do it again?" We believe He will, calling us to share the good news with some of the 3 billion least-reached people globally.
From April to June, we're focusing on EMM's historical mission work, especially in launching mission movements. Today, we're exploring EMM's initial international efforts in Tanzania.
Today is the day of Holy Week in which we reflect on the hopelessness that so many of Jesus’ followers had after his death. Did they know he would be raised from the dead, or were they broken and distraught?
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations...” (Mt 28:18) But, like many people, Mark has often answered, “I’m not an evangelist...it’s not my gift.” Mark Schoenhals' gift in making disciples is in mentoring one-on-one or teaching in small groups. So, he has often responded to Jesus’ Great Commission by focusing on the teaching and mentoring part of discipleship and he has seen beautiful fruit from this ministry. Nevertheless, people cannot become disciples of Jesus if they haven’t heard the good news, and they won’t hear if no one tells them. Some people are gifted as evangelists, but all disciples of Jesus are sent to share the gospel.
Last month, EMM workers Steve Horst and Bethany Tobin and their family attend the EMM annual team retreat in southeast Asia. It was a time with a small group of like-minded people who they have known and worked with for over ten years, sharing deeply, receiving prayer, playing, and enjoying life together for a few days.
Is it time to move forward? Do you have a feeling of holy discontent? Well, we want to invite you to come to a time set aside for reflection and discernment as we revisit a sense of call and invite God's Spirit to fan the embers into flame. This event, "Called: reignite the call" will be held March 22–23 in Akron, Pennsylvania. Register now at emm.org/called.
This past summer, Andres Prins had no idea that a recreational hike through the High Atlas mountains would lead to an opportunity to respond to the earthquake that would devastate the region just months later. In June, a Moroccan friend, who is a mountain trekking guide, agreed to lead Andres and a group of local believers on a trip that had them leave their car at the end of the road in a village of about 800 people, Tizi Oussem, before hiking to a 3000 meter-high refuge for the night. Passing acquaintances were made with some of the village people.
Every business owner eventually starts to contemplate the future and what is to become of their hard work. It is never too early to anticipate and plan for a leadership transition. If this topic interests you, you're invited to the EMM business leaders’ breakfast on Tuesday, March 12 from 7 to 8:45 am at Hub 450, which is 450 N Prince St in Lancaster City.
Register at emm.org/breakfast.
In September 2023, as Alan and Carol Wert's small group continued to grow to 13 or 14 people and packed out their living rooms, they made the decision to multiply the group into two, allowing space for others to join.
Matthew Baugher is participating in Advance Global, a 9-month, international discipleship and service opportunity. He is currently doing his outreach ministry in Halle, Germany. Today’s story is a summary of some of Matthew’s reflections about his time in Germany so far.
Four people in a rural village in Thailand were be baptized by having buckets of water from the ponds poured over them. Given the considerable distance from any of the other churches in the province, a decision was made to empower them to conduct their own church services. In one day, Andre and other church leaders witnessed the birth of a church. God gave them a window to see what is possible when His Spirit is moving.
The Czech Republic has the fifth-highest incarceration rate in the European Union (out of 27 EU member states) and the ninth-highest of all the 46 European countries. It is often argued that the Czech Republic is among the most secular countries in the world. Yet, a rich spiritual heritage is part of Czech history, including Jan Hus, a reformer who inspired Martin Luther, and the Moravian Brethren, who accomplished amazing missionary work in North America and all over the world.
You can support this project by giving a gift online at emm.org/czechtranslation
EMM’s Advance Global program offers an opportunity to connect and grow with other young adults through intensive discipleship, followed by overseas missions experience. Today, I’d like to share about one of EMM’s Advance participants: Lena Kauffman. Lena is currently on outreach ministry in Cambodia but had spent three months living in Lancaster County and participating in discipleship training.
Turning to the Scriptures, EMM worker Michael* received a renewed conviction for his Anabaptist perspective and its ideals. He realized deep in his heart that to be a witness of incarnational love and to be a light and blessing to those around us in this land is not one-sided.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” — Acts 17:24–27
Several months ago, on one of the first nice days after a very late spring, Eric and Janelle and their family took a day trip to a wild horse nature preserve half an hour south of their home. They went to the preserve with two goals in mind: see wild horses and see the wild orchids which are famous in that region.
“Good morning, Miss!” EMM mission intern Sarah Martin hears these words so often as she walks the hallways and enters the classrooms at the Promesa School in Cusco, Peru.
Christ’s transforming love compels us to cross cultures, engage the world, and multiply disciples of Jesus.We invite you to join us as we focus on least-reached people groups in several regions around the world. Your gift to the Impact Fund sustains these efforts and so much more.
Srey Da's discipleship teachers taught the students to pray with faith for healing. Srey Da took her teachers seriously. Srey Da and a companion went into a house, where a woman was preparing some fermented fish paste. Srey Da did not want to go in at first but did with her companion's encouragement. The woman's husband was there and he made apologies for his wife, saying she could not hear very well. He said she had been partially deaf for a very long time. They asked if they could pray for her.
Recently, EMM worker Bethany Tobin, who serves with her family in Thailand, had a devotional that looked at Abraham’s relationship with God. God called Abraham to resume his father’s life of sojourn, traveling as a stranger in a foreign land. Then God called Abraham, who was childless, to look out at the stars and believe God’s promise of many, many children. Many years and mistakes later, as the fulfillment of the promise looked all the more impossible, it sharpened in specificity.
EMM’s strategic focus is to identify, equip, and send missional leaders to serve on multi-generational and multi-ethnic teams who invite people to follow Jesus as maturing, multiplying disciples and nurture transforming communities of worship. We primarily focus on least-reached people groups of Central Asia, Central Europe, Southeast Asia, and West Africa, and refugees in Lancaster, Pa. So here’s a quick look at each of these regions.
Krystle Thorne was stirred by hearing about a vision for West Africa because it was a place that is still near and dear to her heart and people who she knew and loved. That was the start of she and her husvand, Nate's journey to begin a long-term assignment serving in The Gambia, West Africa.
EMM’s new vision statement is: We catalyze movements that multiply disciples of Jesus around the world, giving primary focus to people groups that are currently least-reached.
Sometimes, we use a few “jargony” words when we talk about mission work. Words like catalyze, movement, and least-reached. We thought it might be helpful to explain why we use these words and what we mean when we talk about these ideas, like our vision statement.
Holly Hollenbach is one of the Advance Global participants this year. Her discipleship training is in Costa Rica through Vida220 and she will be doing outreach in Peru. Holly’s first week of Advance was in Lancaster, and she described it as busy, stretching, and profound. She was blessed to be surrounded by people overflowing with God’s peace and encouragement.
Over the past year, Carol has been digging into the faith practices of her spiritual ancestors — the Anabaptists. Her research led her to conclude that the early Anabaptists of the sixteenth century, many of whom were former Catholic priests, nuns, and clerics brought more with them from their Catholic background to their "new" convictions than we realize. One practice evidenced in the extant writings of early leaders like Menno Simons, Felix Manz, and Balthasar Hubmaier is called lectio divina.
... .That’s the number of people who don’t have access to the gospel or proximity to a follower of Jesus who can tell them about this good news. Another 2 billion people may have access to the gospel but have not experienced its life-transforming power. Very simply, EMM’s work is to share the good news of Christ’s transforming love with people who don’t know him.
This program is being recorded on the last day of summer. If you’re listening to this program on the radio, it’s now the first day of autumn. We can now anticipate a whole new array of colors emerging from the trees. Every new season has new opportunities. For EMM worker Michael Clancy, now that the kids are in school, he took some time to reflect on what ministry looked like for him this summer in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
EMM worker Kandace Glenn is engaged in language study and relationship building in Cambodia. She is involved in a variety of dynamic friendships and discipling relationships in which she seeks to help university/post-grad students discover God‘s purpose for their lives as they grow in relationship with Jesus.
Bethany Tobin and her husband, Steve, and children serve with EMM in Thailand. Recently, Bethany reflected on a devotional about Jesus cleansing the temple. Jesus cleansed the temple of all the exclusive temple systems and atoning sacrifices, instead establishing himself as the atoning sacrifice — so that the new temple — us, the church — would indeed be a house of prayer for all nations.
Truett Cathy, the founder of Chic-fil-A, said: If you hire the “right people again and again, you will strengthen your culture over time.” Hiring with purpose makes all the difference. Being able to identify whether a potential employee is values-aligned to fit your organizational culture and has the essential characteristics needed to be successful in the role is critical to successful hiring.
Several months ago, the campus of the seminary where Peter* teaches was under water, accessible only by boat, and visited occasionally by hippos from the nearby river. The rainy season in central Africa was extraordinary this year, resulting in the highest water levels in sixty years in N’Djamena, Chad. Many thousands of people have temporarily or permanently lost their homes to the flooding, including students and faculty at the seminary.
The Coatses had been on home leave and returned to Cambodia a few months ago. When they returned, John found the staff had been doing a fairly good job of keeping things running smoothly with the children’s program. There was some discouragement though. Over the past few years, they have lost most of their older teenagers, those in grades 10 through 12. Why?
Missionary Messenger has been enriching readers for almost 100 years, and in an effort to continue the relevance of this important publication, we’re making some changes. Later this month, for the September issue of Messenger, we’ll be introducing you to a new version of this publication. Here’s some information about what we’re planning to do.
Approaching the Temple of Luang Pu Suang, the glorified mummified monk, Emm worker Andre pulled the car over to the side of the road. He turned to one of his trainees, Lee, and asked, “Lee, could you read Acts 17:24-31 for us?”
Krystle* took a 5-day trip to The Gambia in May to explore housing options and to see how things have changed in the 13 years since she has lived there. Krystle served as a mission intern in The Gambia with EMM during that time. This recent trip was insightful and helpful to be there in person and begin to understand how life and ministry will look different as a family.
In the 16th century, the Radical Reformers — also known as the Anabaptists — looked to the “roots” of the church as their inspiration. The term “radical” comes from the Latin word “radix” which means “root.” The early Anabaptists wanted to see the kingdom of God restored to a kingdom that was not of this world — but a kingdom that transcended national, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
Perhaps you’ve heard us talk about the Kairos course before, and maybe you’re wondering, “What is Kairos?” Well, today, we’re going to take an in-depth look at this course. The Kairos course is an exciting nine-lesson interactive study of the purpose and plan of God from Genesis to the end of the age.
When Phil Gottschalk was 17 years old the Lord called him to work with Russian-speaking young people. So, he did a bachelor’s degree in Russian language at Penn State University. When he graduated in 1980, the Iron Curtain was still up. Phil went on to seminary to prepare to be a missionary.
Last summer EMM workers and staff led Chamber Choir members from the Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster on a tour to Central Europe. They traveled in both the Czech Republic and Germany. Beyond providing cross-cultural experiences for youth, EMM hopes that these kinds of trips inspire people to find their calling in missions. Here’s a quick snapshot of one of the more interesting concerts they performed.
John and Debbie Coats are EMM workers who serve in Cambodia. There is a lady who lives on the streets about a mile from their house in Phnom Penh city. Though she never asks, John has often stopped and given her a little money for food. She won’t look at or speak to him. She never smiles. He can’t hand her the money. He has to lay it down on the street, and later when he is gone, she picks it up and goes and buys some food.
It’s a transformational journey that each person who chooses King Jesus as our leader needs to make — a reversal of the mind and a turning of the heart. From thinking about self, to thinking about others. Welcoming rather than turning away the ’least of these,’ putting aside personal agendas and valuing the contributions of all, forgiving others as God, in Christ, forgave us, and becoming leaders who serve and servants who lead. If Jesus Christ is our model, how well are we doing at transforming our spheres of influence?
What is Central Europe? This is an interesting question that will probably bring a different answer depending on who you ask. Is this region defined by a common language, distinctive geographic features, similar political histories, or shared religious influences? The short answer is, “Sort of ... but not necessarily.”
Not everyone will move into a new country or engage with another culture. However, many people can participate in this calling by partnering with those who “go,” impacting people and cultures far from our home communities.
Jen Hoover is an EMM worker who lives with her family in Costa Rica and serves with VidaNet. Jen recently reflected on the idea of one’s own purpose in life. Jen defines purpose as knowing the reason why something is done or created or for which something exists. In the grand scheme of things knowing one’s purpose, enables one to look outward. Not knowing one’s purpose, causes inward destructive thinking, the downward spiral we all fall imprisoned to.
Recently, EMM Mission Team Director Lorri Bentch reflected on the need for mission work in Europe. She and her family served with EMM in Hungary for a number of years. Here are some of Lorri’s thoughts about how critical this work is.
EMM and LMC: A Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches invite you to respond to a critical humanitarian appeal from the Meserete Kristos Church (or MKC) in Ethiopia. Since 2020, the southern Borena zone of the Oromia state has experienced severe drought due to 5 failed rainy seasons. It is estimated that 24 million people have been impacted by the drought — 11 million of whom are experiencing food insecurity.
This year, Michael Clancy had another opportunity to take another group of students on a celebratory trip because they completed a job readiness program. In the kind of ministry Michael works with, celebrating successes are important ways to mark milestones of transformation in people’s lives. Unfortunately, not every person that Michael works with continues on with the path that Jesus invites them on. Within the past year, two of the three men that Michael had been discipling have given themselves over to the temptation of addictions.
As you bump along the lake-side road through the town of Los Naranjos in Honduras and weave up a slight hill, the welcoming sign on your left reads, “Campamento VidaNet” (Camp VidaNet). Tropical flowers wave and palm trees tower overhead in the humid air as a few young adults come out to greet you: Welcome to Campamento VidaNet!
EMM worker Andre* and two other believers gave a clear gospel presentation to three employees of one of these believers. Andre asked them what percent of what they heard do they believe. The first man responded “80%.” The second man answered “50%.” The second man’s wife exclaimed “100%!”
The past few months have passed in a flurry of activity, as is quite typical for Sonya Harnish and the Crossroads-Torchbearers Bible school. There's been joy in seeing this group of students really wanting to grow during their time at the school and taking initiative to pray together!
This year started off with a bang for Aaron and Katarina Miller in Chile! The first two weeks were spent busily preparing to host 11 students from Rosedale Bible College. At the end of January and the beginning of February, there were two weekends of camps: one with younger kids and the other with older kids.
As EMM workers Tim and Julie Groff gathered for the seventh annual leadership retreat with Belize Garifuna churches from Hopkins, Dangriga, Gales Point, and Belize City they spent time focusing on this attitude: Taking off the “expectations” the world has piled onto them and instead look around for the tools God has already given them to use.
Carol Wert reflected on her own ability to hear from and speak with God. Over the years, Carol’s prayer life has mostly consisted of speaking at God rather than speaking with him. The conversation has often been one-sided, with her telling God her long list of (valid) requests for herself and others.
In 1938, scientists began tracking the lives of 268 Harvard University sophomores to discover the source of happiness and a good life. What did they find? Was it wealth, having a successful career, a good education, or being born into an upper-middle-class family? No, it wasn’t any of those things. They discovered it was relationships. Their conclusion: “Good and close relationships and a happy marriage can keep us happier and healthier. Period.” When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. He simply said, "Love God and love your neighbor.”
David W. Shenk of Lititz, Pa., went to be with the Lord on January 31, 2023. David was an ambassador of Christ’s peace who devoted his life to serving God through missions and the church. In his memoir, “A gentle boldness,” David concluded by reflecting on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:20. David wrote that he and his wife Grace “were seeking to celebrate the peace of Jesus … Jesus commissions us to be his ambassadors of peace.” Indeed, that is what David has been: an ambassador of Christ’s peace!
David W. Shenk went home to be with his Lord and Savior this morning, Tuesday, January 31, 2023. We grieve the loss of David's presence here on earth but rejoice that he has been received by his heavenly Father. Next week, we’ll spend more time on this program, highlighting the ministries for which God used David and his wife, Grace, for many decades through EMM. This week, we felt like it was appropriate to share some of his own words from his memoir called “A Gentle Boldness.” May you be inspired as you listen to these words from David.
"Influence" is something we strive for in the youth and young adults we lead, and it's a trait we hope to cultivate in our students. We desire to train youth in biblical teaching and nurture them as individuals. We hope that as they interact with their peers and as they continue to learn and grow, they will engage their communities as Kingdom people.
In November, a 12-member team from EMM, Virginia Mennonite Missions, and the Integrated Mennonite Church of the Philippines joined the team serving in Thailand in Det Udom. This prayer-vision team tip included first- hand exposure to the Isaan context, building trusting relationships for potential future partnerships, and onsite prayer for current and future kingdom work here in Isaan.
It’s hard to believe that we are already at the end of 2022, and as we have been reflecting on the year, the word “hope” came to mind. There are many days when the world feels hopeless — the news is filled with war, famine, drought, natural disasters, and violence. Some days it seems that all may be lost.
EMM worker Austin Zuercher, and his wife Griselda, returned to Costa Rica and have enjoyed reconnecting with people after having spent a few months in Spain. For two months they are enjoying good coffee and sweet memories before they relocate to Honduras long-term. It has been very bittersweet for them, as they know these are the last months they’ll have in Costa Rica.
At first, it was a deliberate choice for EMM workers Alan and Wert, because it’s their stage of life with adult children. But the run-up to Christmas this year has felt less frenetic and more peaceful than in other years.
This summer, William Higgins took his first trip as an EMM non-resident missionary. To get to his final destination, William flew to Doha, Qatar, then to Nairobi, Kenya, and finally to Kisumu. From Kisumu they drove down to Migori, about three and a half hours, where the school is that he would be teaching, the Mennonite Anabaptist Theological College.
EMM worker Melanie Nofziger attended a gathering with her friends a few months ago when someone stated “We should help the Venezuelan refugees.” “The refugees?” Melanie wasn’t even aware of the growing presence of refugees in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Jonathan Bornman and his film crew included some Christ-followers, some with no religious commitment, and many Muslims. As producers, Jonathan and Michael Hostettler were committed to the making of the documentary being as much a part of the ministry as the film itself. This was an opportunity to live incarnationally with the crew.
EMM worker Austin Zuercher and his wife, Griselda, were married on August 6th together with friends and family in Honduras. Instead of going on a traditional honeymoon, the couple decided to take a few months to serve together in a different ministry setting. Here’s a small glimpse into our first three months of marriage.
Suddenly, a look of puzzlement came the faces of the Yeu villagers, and they began chatting among themselves in their own language. What stumped them was a question about their origins. Finally, one of the villagers answered Andre and Karen Provost in Thai, “We have no idea where we originated. We only know that we came to Thailand from Laos.”
A man once asked EMM workers Steve Horst and Bethany Tobin, “How do you keep going when you see so few people believe?” At that time, Bethany thought about many disappointments and stories and then just simply said, “Not living for success in numbers. Digging deeper into faith in God.” It requires courage and prayer to reply with an answer like that. It requires wrestling with disappointments and the idols of comfort, family, and identity.
Shortly after arriving back in Wales after a busy summer in the US, EMM workers Alan and Carol Wert took a Sabbath day of rest and sat on a hill overlooking the bay near Barry Island. As they soaked up the last of the summer sun, Carol read through the book of 1 Peter asking the Lord to speak to her. The breeze swept across the tall grass and Carol sensed the Spirit reminding her of our calling as believers … to bless others.
Dorothy* went through a dark, dark valley of mental illness, but God has used it to find her heart again. She had been deteriorating since January when she began openly persecuting the believers and cut off relationships with EMM workers Steve Horst and Bethany Tobin, forbidding her mother from worshipping or associating with the church.
EMM workers Phil and Linda Gottschalk arrived in Bucharest, Romania in August. During the interim time until they found a long-term apartment, they got to know the neighborhood around the rental they were living in. They explored the area and visited a few stores for groceries and household supplies.
In 1987, Glenna Sollenberger went on a mission trip to San Miguel Chicaj, a village in Guatemala. When they arrived, the team discovered that most of the people spoke a local Mayan language. Their heart language was Rabinal Achí. The missionary told the team that the people respond better when the local pastor preaches in their language, rather than Spanish.
In 1954, EMM was at a crossroads regarding how it might get involved with ministry to unreached people groups in Southeast Asia. There were two equally important opportunities: Indonesia and Vietnam. In fact, Orie O. Miller, who was the secretary of the organization at the time, made visits to both countries.
EMM worker Andre Provost asked a group of church leaders in Thailand: “Can you read the label on the bottom of the crate?” They responded, “MADE IN THE USA!” A PowerPoint slide of a Thai person in front of an imported crate appeared on the screen. Andre exclaimed to the crowd, “This is our problem! We are following a model developed in an environment very different than ours.”
It was the perfect day for a spontaneous picnic – there was no rain (even though it was the rainy season in Costa Rica). The blue sky beckoned to EMM worker Jen Hoover’s soul. She sun's warmth tenderly touched their skin and the shade promised to cool their sweat-moistened shirts. Bar-B-Q meatballs, rice, and steamed broccoli would not be Jen’s first choice for a blanketed picnic meal, but it was delicious nonetheless.
Sarah and Mark Schoenhals serve with both EMM and Virginia Mennonite Missions in Thailand with their two daughters. Recently, Sarah reflected on their trip to participate in the 2022 Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Indonesia. After months of uncertainty about travel restrictions, Covid, funding, and finding an interpreter, the details all came together.
EMM volunteer worker Gerry Keener recently returned from a two-week trip to Vietnam to reconnect with the Mennonite church in the country. Gerry reflected on how it was a joy to experience the energy of refreshed relationships and … of course, delicious Vietnamese food!
Have you ever had an individual's name come to mind? Maybe you hadn’t thought of the person for a long time. Have you felt your heart grieved about the state of a nation you have never visited? Have you shed tears at the thought of the sins of your people? Was the Holy Spirit perhaps trying to get your attention?
With anticipation, EMM staff member Julia Tsai sits down for coffee with EMM worker Kandace Glenn. She lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with her roommates, Thida and Len. The three friends smile at Julia through her laptop screen— this is sure to be an engaging conversation.
Every month, a small group of believers gathers together for communion at New Life Dangriga Christian Fellowship in Belize. Imagine a tray of about a dozen small plastic cups filled with grape juice and a container of bread on a table at the back of the worship space. But this week, believers in this Dangriga church filled a few more cups.
Wales is a rugby nation. It always has been. It probably always will be. But in early June it was football that captured the heart of the nation. EMM worker Carol Wert is not a football fan. She never has been, and probably never will be. But when she heard that Wales was playing Ukraine for a spot in the World Cup, she found tickets for what she knew might be a historical moment. But Carol was unprepared for was a spiritual encounter.
Tuesday mornings start a little earlier than the rest of the week for EMM worker Michael Clancy. Michael serves as an urban missionary in Lebanon City, Pennsylvania. His day begins at 7 a.m. meeting with a man who recently completed a discipleship program.
On February 24, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. EMM workers Phil and Linda Gottschalk planned to go in August to join the faculty of the Zaporizhzhya Bible Seminary in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine. Phil had been administrating the seminary’s Master of Theology program there since 2012. He was there in May 2014 after Crimea and the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk were taken. They have both been to Zaporizhzhya numerous times since then but did not imagine that the conflict would come to a full boil again.
Did you know that in Southeast Asia alone, there are nearly 674 million people from more than 1,820 different people groups? Of these people, just under 6 percent identify as evangelical Christians. Very simply put, that means that in Southeast Asia alone, there are more than 633 million people who have not experienced the life-transforming power of Jesus.
Jacob E. Brubaker was a pattern maker who frequently traveled to New York City. During one of his trips, he was intrigued watching the banana boats come in to dock and asked someone for more information about where the boats were coming from. Upon learning that someone could pay a small fee to also ride on the boat back to its home country of Guatemala, Brubaker was very intrigued by the idea of Central America.
As the post-war world was working to reorganize itself, Mennonites found opportunities to share the peace of Jesus through relief work. Many people think of the Second World War as being fought in European and Pacific theaters but forget about the toll that the war took on the African continent. One of these places was Ethiopia, which had been occupied by Italian forces from 1935 to 1941. Mennonites began working in Ethiopia in 1945, and by the end of 1947, EMM had sent its first missionaries there also, Daniel and Blanche Sensenig.
Elam Stauffer was confused by Chief Nyatega’s invitation to start a church in an empty field. He responded, “To whom shall I preach? The trees? The people are down there.” He was right: the people were down there. But what Elam didn’t realize at the time was that even though the people were down there, the people also went up to Katuru Hill.
When Marvin Lorenzana shares with congregations, he often says that Jesus came not to launch just a “church,” but rather a “movement.” This movement, Jesus called the “Kingdom of God” and, as He taught in more than one way, it was meant to grow exponentially as generational disciple making takes place.
EMM worker Lucy returned to the U.S. a few months ago after having served in the Middle East. She is living a very different life than she was three months prior.
Early in January, when Andre and Karen’s first attempt to return to Thailand was thwarted, Andre began to wonder if God would ever allow them to get back into the country. He reflected on the discouragement of Nehemiah in the presence of the king. When the king asked Nehemiah what was bothering him, Nehemiah responded, “The wall in Jerusalem is broken down and I want it repaired.”
EMM worker Jen Hoover serves in disciple-making in Costa Rica with her family. Recently, she asked the question, “Do we need to rent a mixer?" It was a simple question, asked in the presence of three individuals who processed the question very differently.
Jesus calls us to invite the stranger in, to love our neighbor. Come join us on April 28 at 7 p.m. at 450 N Prince St, as we engage with the topic of immigration from a kingdom perspective, featuring Philip Gottschalk, author of the recent book “Entertaining Angels Unaware.” Learn from refugees who were resettled in Lancaster, share your questions and experiences, hear how you can get involved, and enjoy an international snack.
Carol and Alan Wert serve as EMM workers in Wales, which is in the U.K. In March, they had the opportunity to join thirty people from all four nations of the UK gathered to explore the topic of Reimagining Church in a post-Covid setting.
Eric and Janelle* are EMM workers who serve in Germany. The month of March was busy for them as they prepared spaces in their church’s building to welcome Ukrainian refugees fleeing the current war.
EMM workers Andre and Karen* had just returned to Thailand after having traveled from the United States. They were immediately asked by two friends if Andre and Karen would take them to a wedding three hours away. Andre was reminded of something he felt God was speaking to him as their flight was landing in Thailand.
A few weeks ago, EMM worker Jonathan Bornman went for a walk and stopped to chat with two teenage boys, refugees from Syria. Jonathan asked them if they had witnessed the shooting that happened in front of their house. No, they had not, but their younger brother was on the porch and saw the whole thing.
Esther and Lance are Thai church leaders. The couple’s closest neighbor, who they practically were family with, had a complicated conflict with the couple. Esther and Lance’s neighbor is an older woman who is also a member of the church. Her daughter lives in the same house and became very angry with the church and began verbally attacking Esther and Lance.
Michael Clancy is an EMM urban missionary serving in Lebanon City, Pa. Last summer, there was a couple who had been sleeping near the railroad tracks behind Michael’s church parking lot. One of the church members noticed the couple and invited them to a Sunday worship service, enticing them with air conditioning and coffee.
EMM worker Jen Hoover serves in disciple-making in Costa Rica with her family. Just the other day, she enjoyed her first quiet morning in a long time. She enjoyed a second cup of coffee and had a peaceful conversation with her son on the back porch. It was the first day of a new school year — a year with much-hoped-for in-person learning. On this day, Jen said that the “to-do list” had to wait.
On January 3, we flipped the switch to begin generating enough solar energy to meet half of the electrical demands of our Hub 450 property. We are delighted to be able to initiate this renewable energy resource as part of our renovations on this historic building!
EMM worker Carol Wert, who serves in Wales, U.K., was teaching an English lesson one day on different types of transport and asking her students which type was their favorite. Along with the usual mentions of bus, car, train or plane, there was horse and camel, including some fun animal sounds and gestures because the students didn’t know the words in English.
EMM president Marvin Lorenzana refers to this “in” relationship as “the great investment.” Simply put, because we love God we also love our neighbor. We love our neighbor enough to invite him or her to follow Jesus with us (discipleship).
EMM worker Eric gets excited when he hears the word “mentoring.” He desires human relationships that simultaneously empower and encourage both individuals. Mentoring has formation/transformation as its goal, and that is worth being excited about. However, Eric’s experiences with mentoring have often left him feeling less than satisfied with what he finds conceptually to be such a positive and powerful idea.
When I think about this disciple-making mission that we’re called to — especially in this Christmas season — I am reminded that our goal is to become more like Christ and to invite others on that journey with us.
Nathan B. Hege of Lititz, Pennsylvania, went to be with the Lord on December 8. You might recall that he founded this very radio program in 1969. To honor Nathan, here are a few words he wrote in October 1992 for his last column in Missionary Messenger.
For more than 100 years, EMM has shared the good news of Jesus around the world. Thousands of global workers have gone to dozens of people groups. Decades later, the seeds that EMM workers have sown are multiplying into hundreds of thousands of people following Jesus in places like Tanzania, Ethiopia, Honduras, and many other places around the world.
You’ve probably heard us talk before about Hub 450, the newly renovated building at 450 North Prince Street in Lancaster City. I’d like to share with you a little bit about Deb Muenstermann who is an EMM worker that oversees the community-centered ministries on the first floor of Hub 450.
Stacy and Vojta Prknovi, and their daughter, Vikki, serve with EMM in the Czech Republic as regional representatives. For many years they had been living in the capital city of Prague. For a few months, they had been praying about and sensing that it might be time for them to move to another city.
Andrew and Kara serve with EMM in northeast Thailand. Andrew will never forget a life-changing event that happened in 1993 while they were planting their first church. A Thai pastor and Andrew set up a Sunday afternoon preaching point in their carport. Gospel tracks distributed in the housing developments surrounding their home brought in believers. Things went fine until the day they announced that they would switch to morning services.
Darrel and Miriam* are EMM workers serving in Germany with their two daughters. After a one-year break because of the coronavirus, their church, Soli Deo, once again held their annual international tour of food and music called Esskultour. At the event, there were seventeen national foods served. Irom Iranian gormeh-zabsi to Brazilian coconut chicken rice to American funnel cake.
Michael Clancy is an EMM worker doing urban mission work in Lebanon City, Pennsylvania. Michael had been in a discipleship relationship with a man named Mark before. But Mark walked away from their discipleship time. In April, Michael saw a social media post saying that Mark was looking for a place to live.
EMM workers Jeremy and Jen* first met Pii Prik about a year ago. They were visiting a nearby village that struggles with poverty and sickness. Their language teacher coordinated these visits. Jeremy and Jen delivered food to the individuals and families with the greatest needs.
Thousands of green sea turtles lay their eggs on the coast of Costa Rica every August, and EMM workers Wendell and Melanie Nofziger hoped to see at least one! When Melanie's parents visited the famly for two weeks in August, everyone took three days and headed to a boat-accessible-only national park on the Caribbean coast.
When we pay attention to the Spirit’s leading, we often find ourselves doing unexpected things, things that were not originally in our plans or our minds. This is a common occurrence here at EMM — among our staff as we dream of new ways to participate in God’s kingdom work, and in the lives of our workers as they respond to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around them.
What do you do when everything stops? EMM’s Christian-Muslim Relations Team was familiar with a steady flow of invitations to teach, equip, and train.
In January 2018, EMM worker Vojta Prkna attended a four-day retreat in the Czech Republic — where he is from and lives — called the Battle for the Heart. It was a kick-off retreat to a longer program that he would go through with a small team of four people. The program consisted of two retreats, individual preparation, and team meetings.
Binsa* is a recently appointed EMM worker serving the Buddhist and Hindu community in Lancaster, Pa. She is a Bhutanese refugee from Nepal, who is now creatively sharing the gospel.
John and Debbie Coats’ situation suddenly changed at the end of March. The Coatses serve with EMM in Cambodia. They had been in the city for several weeks because the roads to their province had been closed. Since their children’s work was closed by the authorities due to the coronavirus pandemic, John and Debbie were using the time to prepare to help in the village if the disease got out of hand.
I’m certain you’ve heard us talk about Dr. David W. Shenk over the years on this program. Perhaps you even know David personally. I’m excited to announce that on September 21, Herald Press will be releasing David’s newest book called, “A gentle boldness: Sharing the peace of Jesus in a multi-faith world.”
While recuperating from surgery, Andrew* decided to watch his favorite missionary film, “Hudson Taylor.” In one scene, a recent Chinese convert addressed Hudson with deep sincerity. He said: “For many years I have sought the truth, as did my fathers before me. But only here, in the words you have spoken, has peace come to my heart. Is the gospel doing well in your country?”
Shovel in hand, Michael Hostetter heaped soil onto a pile in front of him. Rainwaters had been gushing into the foundation of his house. Michael knew that he had to just start digging to solve the problem. Meanwhile, the world had come to a standstill, through ebbs and flows of closures and reopening in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
On August 26th, Barry is embarking on a cross-country motorcycle trip to listen to the stories of EMM short-term alumni. Barry’s goal is to raise awareness for EMM’s new short-term mission program called Advance, underscoring EMM’s long-term commitment to raising up young people to live out the gospel.
Sometimes in mission, visible transformation is incremental and even hard to see, especially when circumstances like a global pandemic disrupt your regular mission routine. This past year has probably been the toughest year in ministry that Alan and Carol Wert have faced since their sabbatical in 2010. That’s why passages like Colossians chapter 1 can be so encouraging. The Werts are reminded of how Christ came to earth and how his presence here allowed his followers to see the God who cannot be seen.
Sometimes people have told EMM workers Mark and Sarah Schoenhals, with a twinge of regret in their voices, that all they can do to support the work in Isaan, Thailand, is to pray. Others wish they could do something, besides “just praying.”
The transfer of leadership is a work of God’s grace that holds its unique challenges. It was 1988 that Joe and Yvonne Garber left for a three-year term to a place in Tanzania that the Tanzanian Mennonite Church had invited them to serve.
The world is changing, and God is not surprised. He is on the move, shifting things and using Christians from the Global South and East to take the lead in global missions. It’s their turn, and we can partner with them.
We recognize that while we have gifts and resources to offer, we have much to learn and gain from others’ contributions and from walking this path of discipleship together.
There are many benefits to a good partnership. Partners focused on a similar mission can provide us with skills we don’t possess alone, help us see from new perspectives, and expand the reach of our efforts. Throughout our history, we have partnered with hospitals, schools, children’s ministries, churches, and mission agencies around the globe who are motivated to share the transforming love of Christ.
Owen* preached his first message in the local language. He worked hard and his language ability has really expanded since then. Ever since he shared his first message, it seems as if his language has hit a turning point.
On Tuesdays, Kara and Andrew* help a woman from a local church in her evangelistic endeavors. One week, two leaders from the neighboring province, whom they worked with in the past, were there to assist them in expanding that work into their province. Suddenly, Andrew felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit saying that he should take the team with him to this church.
EMM workers Peter and Christy have heard the Arabic phrase inshallah a lot among their time serving among Muslims. This phrase means “if God wills it.” Every time, Peter and Christy hear someone say “inshallah,” it reminds them of James 4:15, which says: “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
The pandemic is still taking its toll on Europe. Germany is still under a shutdown with only the essentials open. Despite the pandemic, Charlotte was thankful to be able to still complete an internship. Due to the pandemic, Charlotte had to find an internship in Germany. As Charlotte describes it, “God’s plan always exceeds expectations.”
Almost a year had passed since Jon and Heleen Yoder returned to Alabama from Sierra Leone. The past year has been interesting for them, but they are very grateful for God’s faithfulness and His work of restoration in their lives. But they decided it was time for a change again.
In 2015, at an EMM workers’ conference at Black Rock Retreat in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, Carol Wert picked up a newspaper called Mennonite Weekly Review. In it, she saw an article about a new course starting in Bristol, England, that focused on theology and mission from an Anabaptist perspective. The course was led by a church planter, prolific author, and trainer, Stuart Murray Williams.
Stephen and Bethany Horst, who are jointly appointed workers with EMM and VMMissions, and their family are preparing to return to their home in Thailand. They have quarantine bookings, visas, documentation and airline tickets to return. After a lengthy quarantine, they should arrive back home in Nam Yuen at the end of April, just shy of a year since they left.
For years, EMM worker Michael Clancy dreamed of starting a Christian community house, much like the one he lived in when he purchased his current house fromJubilee Ministries. The house that his family is now living in was once a program house for Jubilee Ministries Christian Discipleship program.
Why are people traveling up to 40 miles to be part of this fellowship in rural South Asia? It's simple. They've experienced the healing and deliverance that only Jesus can bring through His Holy Spirit. And as one comes to faith, and family members or neighbors see the miracle that happened, it's not long until the others begin to follow too.
Do we really see who’s at our door? Or do we see who we expect to see? EMM worker Phil Gottschalk says that much of what we see when we look at the “other” — the immigrant, the refugee — depends on what we are prepared to see and what we expect to see.
Multiplication is one of the kingdom principles we are all called to live out. We multiply ourselves by making disciples of Christ, and then equipping those disciples to step out in their areas of gifting. As a pastor, Darrel* is called to raise up leaders who will not only work alongside him but will one day step into his role.
In his 2015 book, “Animists to Anabaptists,” the late Beryl Forrester wrote, “I have offered my life … to Jesus for the sake of God’s kingdom. That is the model I desire to see replicated in the lives of those our mission reaches with the Gospel.”
Every week, Andrew* takes time to talk with a Buddhist temple monk. At the onset of one of Andrew’s weekly discussions with the monk, the monk asked Andrew, “Do you want to see the spirit?” Andrew could not understand why the monk would be talking to him about a spirit in the temple.
Jonathan Bornman provides leadership to EMM’s Christian-Muslim Relations Teams. Jonathan recently told three vignettes of God at work. What did each of these stories have in common? God keeps connecting Jonathan with people and events that lead to meaningful interactions.
Change: it’s inevitable. We’re told that change is the only thing that will remain constant in our lives. This past year seems like it was really living into this truth as there was almost nothing that remained unchanged in our lives. The words of the prophet Isaiah remind us that even God is always moving, doing something new. The winds of change are ever-blowing, and so perhaps, are the winds of the Spirit.
For Jeremy’s* first birthday in Thailand, he received a gift from his brother in Canada. It was a black and white photo of his grandfather on stage at an evangelistic crusade when he was about Jeremy’s age. He was a very spiritual person, and Jeremy remembers his deep laugh and voice that sounded like Pavarotti when he sang.
Since December 20th, Alan and Carol have been doing a lot of walking through green fields and beside small streams once again as human interaction is limited by another lockdown in Wales, which is in the United Kingdom. In this simple act of observing nature, listening to music, or talking and laughing with a family member as they walk, they find the refreshment their souls desperately need.
A few weeks ago, while John* was preparing to leave the village for the city, a woman told him that her older sister had developed a new health problem. An hour later, John left to join his wife, Debbie, in the city and they traveled to northwestern Cambodia. A few days later as they were completing their trip, they received a call that Sokaa’s older sister had become much sicker.
Every Christmas season, Eric is reminded of the beauty of the song “Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming”. Eric was practicing this song on the piano, and being an amateur pianist, was having a terrible time with the last two measures of the first two lines. He felt like maybe he should just stick with playing the treble clef notes alone so that it has a semblance of cohesive sound. But the full sound is so much better, so he kept trying, and eventually realized that the quarter note was his steady guide through the disorientation.
Abby and Owen* had a very full and blessed season celebrating the birth of Jesus! It was a lovely time of sharing His love with their friends and neighbors. They had the opportunity to host a party for their neighbors on the weekend after Christmas. They weren't quite sure how to do it but they ended up inviting guests at 3 different time slots.
David and Grace Shenk describe the past 18 years of serving as EMM global consultants as a remarkable journey. What has been especially surprising to them has been the interest of Muslim communities in hearing about the peace of Jesus. All of these open doors have surprised them again and again.
It hasn’t been an easy last several months for anyone. It has been especially challenging for EMM worker Imogene. There have continued to be more disappointments and frustrations with COVID-19. Imogene had gone back and forth, between online and in-person language classes, had many events be cancelled, and had been in and out of quarantining.
Christians may ask, “Why should I care about Christian-Muslim relations?” You may think that you live in an area where there simply are no Muslims. If you live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as many of you do, you may be surprised to find out that Lancaster City resettles 20 times more refugees per capita than the rest of the United States, many of whom are Muslim.
Christ’s incarnation — that is what John is referring to when he says that the Word became flesh — that incarnation sets an example of what “mission” means. God chose not to remain distant and detached from humanity. Instead, He chose to make His home among us!
Once again, EMM is experiencing a change as we are in the process of moving to Lancaster City — yet while EMM has been transformed over the years and is still being transformed, the mission remains the same.
At the heart of a movement of the Spirit in the Middle East is the new reality of two peoples learning to become brothers and sisters in the Lord. In the midst of a global pandemic, Michael and Laura* have sought to creatively connect these people through the wonders of modern technology.
On November 3, a category four hurricane named Eta reached the shores of Nicaragua. Continuing on its path, the storm wreaked havoc on Honduras and Guatemala. With the torrential downpours of the hurricane’s rain, the region has seen devastating flooding, landslides, and the displacement of people.
When Amaris and Stuart Allan first decided to serve with EMM, they didn’t expect to spend time in two very different contexts in the course of their three-year term. Partway into their second year in Zanzibar, they were asked to consider a transition to Nairobi, Kenya. Almost 10 months later, the Allans unexpectedly returned from Nairobi to the U.S. a few months early due to the coronavirus pandemic. Amaris shares with us a few of the lessons she learned in those transitions.
As Christians, transformation is what we all seek. EMM’s mission statement clearly states that transformation, which comes from Christ, is the foundation upon which all of our work is built. It sounds so simple: “Christ’s transforming love.” But change is not easy. So what leads to transformation? What can we do to be transformed in our hearts and minds?
Elizabeth* recently celebrated a joyous breakthrough: She can pray in her new language! Elizabeth has only been wanting and trying to do this for about five years, back from when she first spent a year in Central Asia and studied the local language at a university. By the end of that year, she found that she could talk to people in the language, albeit clumsily, but not to God.
Over the past 20 plus years, EMM has occasionally considered the idea that EMM should move its Central Administrative Office to Lancaster City, Pennsylvania. EMM’s previous efforts at exploring this possibility resulted in no action taken, and EMM continued its operations in Salunga.
We are excited to announce that the EMM Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Marvin Lorenzana as our ninth president. Dr. Lorenzana brings extensive multicultural leadership, discipleship, and mission experience to his new role as EMM president.
Jeremy and Jennifer* realize that the greater the suffering, the greater the potential for hope. And most importantly, they realize that looking beyond themselves to others is a choice they can always make.
As COVID-19 became a worldwide pandemic, Costa Rica was no exception. EMM worker Austin Zuercher was given the opportunity to return to his home in Ohio, but he decided not to. The Costa Rican government put out a restriction for driving, social distancing was in place, grocery stores had limited entrance, and soap could be found everywhere. Obviously, this also affected ministry — Austin did not leave the base very often but God still opened doors in spite of this.
Foleza is a small program with an ambitious vision: to see each student succeed in school and life. Translated “little nest” from the Albanian language, Foleza was started in 2013 when the Ersekë Evangelical Church saw first-hand the need for children to have extra support in order to thrive in school.
For a few weeks, Owen and Abby watched as borders closed one by one. The American embassy sent out notices asking its citizens to return. They watched the news as the virus started in the capital and spread to the other parts of the country first slowly, but then more quickly.
COVID-19 has forced many people to embrace new forms of resilience, often spurring on great creativity. Two Lancaster leaders serving the refugee and immigrant communities have been doing just that: Patience Buckwalter, who is the executive director of the Grape Leaf Empowerment Center, and Krista Martin, who is EMM’s Kingdom Team director.
Michael Clancy is an urban missionary serving in Lebanon City, Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, Michael had some anxiety as he was in the last two months of fundraising for support for his second term, just as COVID-19 had just come to the forefront of everyone’s lives.
After nine years in Thailand, Dave and Summer Houser were planning to move to Pennsylvania in early April. As reports of an unknown virus grew into a major worldwide concern, flights from many places around the globe were being canceled. Instead of having a week — or even a few days — they had mere hours to tie up their loose ends. They frantically packed, gave things away, and even sold their car that day!
Polio was once the most feared disease in the U.S. Particularly in the 1940 and 50s, parents were sometimes fearful of letting their children even go outside. Each summer, polio seemed to strike without warning. Swimming pools, movie theaters, and Sunday school classes were closed. Almost 100 years passed from the first polio outbreak of any size in the U.S. through the development of a vaccine in 1955 to the eradication of the virus in the Americas in 1994.
As the world faced COVID-19, gathering food for Ramadan celebrations was difficult in places like Nairobi. Many workplaces shut down due to COVID-19, and as a result, many Kenyans lost their income, facing significant food insecurity. Christians in the Eastleigh neighborhood of the city decided to bless their Muslim neighbors by distributing free food.
How can we engage and equip the thousands of church leaders in Africa who have little or no biblical training? How does the church multiply and grow under these circumstances?
On a blustery afternoon, EMM worker Bethany Tobin, who is also jointly appointed with Virginia Mennonite Missions, grabbed an umbrella as protection from the sun and slid on her flip flops. Leaving her boisterous home-schoolers with her husband, Steve, she walked around the corner to her neighbor’s house.
Despite the interruptions, the changes in our plans, and the disappointments of unfulfilled expectations, the mission of God goes on. EMM workers continue to cross cultures, engage the world, and make disciples of Jesus.
Lucy has been amazed at the range of human resilience she has seen from her perch on the balcony. It is amazing how God has made humans to be able deal with life's circumstances. People have been creative with entertainment, their spaces, and their resources. They can find community when they are not allowed to leave their homes.
Multiplication is the heartbeat of EMM. EMM has a more than 100-year history of establishing churches in many parts of the world, that are now planting communities and fellowships of believers in their own contexts and cultures.
We are connected to each other. And we believe this because Paul told us so. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. There are many members, all different, but they all come together to form the body and without any one of those members, the body is missing an important function.
COVID-19 has presented unique challenges for Alan and Carol Wert. On March 23rd, the U.K. went into lockdown with each part of the U.K. enforcing their own rules. So what does this mean for the way the Werts minister to people?
Forty years ago, May 31 was a Saturday. It was the last day of the week, of the month, and of a lengthy personal quest for clarity for EMM worker Andres Prins. He was 22 and had returned from a youth meeting of a Mennonite Brethren church in Montevideo, Uruguay, to the nearby Bible school dormitory where he was living.
Just a few weeks ago, on April 22, a ministry in Sierra Leone called Nyandengoh! saw its first anniversary. Starting with just a few children in Mattru Jong, the ministry now serves more than 70 children in neighboring villages.
Seeing people watch the Jesus video and hear the gospel for the first time was well worth the effort it took to plan the event!
Did you know that EMM has a church revitalization coach whose main role is to help churches develop healthy personal and corporate spiritual lives? It’s true! His name is Antonio Ulloa and he frequently speaks in churches to equip and support them in their spiritual health and development.
A few months ago, a couple showed up at Michael Clancy’s church, easy to identify because they were obviously under the influence of heroin. Michael is an urban missionary serving with EMM in Lebanon city, Pennsylvania. During the service, the man kept drifting off, unaware of his surroundings, only to wake up, look around, and nod off again. The woman, on the other hand, was engulfed in the message. As tears rolled down her face, it was obvious that Jesus was speaking to her.
Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once wrote a wise statement about how our well-being is reliant on one another. She wrote: “We don’t accomplish anything in the world alone and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that create something.”
A second chance at love brought Jim and Kathy Wohlers together after both of their spouses passed away from cancer. At their wedding more than 8 years ago, Jim and Kathy served their guests communion and told them that as they started their life together, they would be hand-in-hand as husband and wife in service toward others.
Sometimes as an urban missionary, Michael Clancy feels like his task is an uphill battle. He envisions his work of discipleship like being a pitcher on the mound, and his students are the batters who keep striking out as they fall back into their addictions. Michael is presented with a new “batter” every three or four pitches. Over the past 14 years, he can count a small handful of men who are continuing to live transformed lives.
Ever since she can remember, Amy Herr has struggled with believing in the lie that her voice doesn’t matter.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact many people in nearly every country around the world. And EMM workers, serving in 30 different countries, have each experienced this outbreak in different ways. But in the midst of the unknown realities that lie ahead, EMM workers live courageously in the hope of Christ.
This summer, EMM Kingdom Teams will venture into a new region in Phenix City, Alabama. However, Alabama is not new to EMM — we began work there in the 1940s when we began sending evangelists.
Part of the Mennonite Church West Africa’s annual conference included a commissioning service for two men who are going out as missionaries. Less than one year after credentialing its first pastors, the church has discerned a call to start several new congregations.
Over the past fews weeks, I expect all of us have been following the developments of the COVID-19 outbreak around the world.
After a full day of engaging in her role as a teacher, Shirah Burns often likes to take a walk on the track of a nearby school. On this one particular night, there were a lot of people on the track. It was a beautiful night to exercise and as Shirah looked around she began to observe the people near her.
After almost four decades of walking with Christ, EMM Mission Team Director Lorri Bentch has learned that the cost of disobedience is always greater than the cost of obedience. Twenty-five years ago, she said “yes” to following her husband to Hungary to serve with EMM just one month after they were married.
As a new follower of Jesus Christ in her early 20s, Nancy Hostetter was drawn to missionaries when they visited her church. A short-term mission trip led to a discipleship training program which led to meeting her husband of 30 years, Michael. As their family grew, they chose to plant themselves in Puerto Montt, Chile.
Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship the same God? This is a perennial question that has led to much division in Christian theological circles. It’s also a question that EMM global David Shenk was invited to write about in a book called “Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims worship the same God?: Four views.”
Gibby Mane, pastor of the Catel Mennonite Church in Guinea-Bissau was visiting his in-laws in a village 5 miles from the church. During this trip, Gibby quickly became aware of a young man, named Milo, who was suffering from an overdose of alcohol.
In 2017, Betsy Stewart said “yes” to Jesus and went to Kenya for 6 months. Betsy’s term with EMM was spent at the Amani Gardens Inn in Nairobi, where she served as a hostess to guests who were traveling through the country. Betsy’s “yes” to Jesus was a “yes” to learning more about Kenya and its people — a place Betsy had visited several times before. But this kind of call wasn’t difficult for Betsy to obey.
Names are significant in the Dinka culture in South Sudan. Nicky Hess, who served as an EMM worker from 2016 to 2019 learned that early on when she was trying to learn the names of students and people from the community.
On December 14, 2019, the Lord welcomed home his faithful servant, Richard A. Showalter. Richard served as the sixth president of EMM from 1994 to 2011. He left a lasting legacy on both the organization he served and the Global Anabaptist church.
A few months ago, Bethany Tobin, who serves with both EMM and Virginia Mennonite Missions in Thailand, had a particularly tough week of poor sleep. After several tiring nights, a man in the village called for Bethany to come and help calm his wife who had become very emotional to a point of almost becoming violent. It was already 8:30 p.m. and Bethany was in her pajamas. Fearing her tendency toward insomnia, Bethany answered the phone with hesitation.
Paper maché. Country western line dancing. Skits and games involving superhero costumes. What do these seemingly unrelated things have in common with each other? In the Czech Republic, these activities are just a few of the ways that workers “break the ice” with students participating in an English summer camp.
When Ted Smoker first arrived in Guatemala, he had ideas and hopes for how he might impact the lives of the K'ekchi'. He also had many questions on how to benefit them most effectively without causing harm to their beautiful culture and their self-reliance.
How did living in East Asia change and define Emma, her husband, Ethan, and their family? The better question to ask is, “How did living in East Asia not change and define them?”
Carol Wert is never quite sure if her own redefining occurs primarily because of the place where she lives or her continuing desire to follow Jesus authentically. But she can think of a few ways that living in Wales may have helped shape who she is today.
Did you know that when you give to EMM and support our workers around the world through your dollars and prayers, you too are bringing transformation to a world in desperate need of good news? We are incredibly thankful for your partnership in this important work. Check out these three short stories that highlight some of the work God has done through us together in 2019.
While living in Belize, the Davises became aware of a celebration called “la fiesta de quinceañera.” This event — which is sometimes referred to as a quince — is the tradition of celebrating a girl turning into a woman in Latino culture on her 15th birthday.
During a two-day conference hosted by the Garifuna churches in Belize Tim Groff was excited and encouraged to watch Orelle Castillo from Dangriga, lead the youth part of the conference, lead worship and preach!
Stacy Nofziger Prknová has served with EMM in the Czech Republic since 2011. Just like the colors yellow and blue turn into green when blended, Stacy is finding that she is being transformed as she lives and serves in Prague - the land of 100 spires.
While Quechua culture has garnered the attention of American audiences with the recent film “Dora and the Lost City of Gold,” one Mennonite school in Peru has worked quietly to educate Peruvian children and protect their culture for nearly 15 years. In the shadow of the live-action adventure film that features the Quechua language, The PROMESA school made a little more “noise” as they broke ground for the construction of a new academic facility.
A small, new initiative has begun for children with disabilities in Sierra Leone. The initiative seeks to create value for children with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, those who are blind and/or deaf, and others.
David W. Shenk, who serves on EMM’s Christian-Muslim relations team, had a note sitting on his desk. It read, “You are invited to participate in dialogues with Muslim university students in the United Kingdom. Your books are okay.”
Phil and Linda Gottschalk serve in the Netherlands training pastors and missionaries at Tyndale Seminary. From time to time they have the opportunity to share the exciting stores of some of the people they have been privileged to help train.
For the first two months that Eric and Janelle* were in Germany, they were living in a makeshift apartment. The apartment consisted of a small kitchen, a bathroom, and two open rooms where their family of five slept, ate, sat, and played. They were thankful for the space even if it was temporary.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines the term “déjà vu” as “an uncanny feeling that one has been in this same place or had this same, specific experience before, although it is actually new to one.” Some of EMM’s newest workers are experiencing this feeling — like they’ve done this before — getting ready to relocate to a new place to serve in cross-cultural mission.
What happens when an EMM worker serving in Spain meets a Romanian-speaking man in a Spanish prison? For Rolando,* he looked back to the formative mission experience he had twenty-three years ago. Rolando was an EMM YES team leader for a team that was sent to Romania in 1996.
As the recent school year was wrapping up, there were picnics and celebratory meals for Lea.
Perhaps you've heard stories of people who don’t yet know Jesus having strange dreams. In many of these stories, people encounter a message to follow Jesus. Sometimes we might pause and ask, “Is it really happening like this?”
After one very long day on the road, having traveled more than 900 miles, the record-setting youth group from Kalona (Iowa) Mennonite Church arrived in Lebanon on Sunday, July 28.
Debriefing after the conclusion of a military operation is commonplace. In fact, the term “debrief” originates from military usage. So, how do peacebuilders debrief after serving in one of the most war-torn regions of the 21st-century world? For one Iraq-based team, they start with Paula*, an EMM worker based in Spain.
Shouting, singing, and celebration resounded throughout the village. Water came flowing into tanks from Lake Victoria, which is just to the north of the Mennonite Theological College of East Africa. John Wambura, the acting principal of the college, recalled people in the village declaring that “God is back in Nyabange Mission.”
Jayden and Anika, along with their two children, served in Central Asia in business for transformation and education. They are now preparing to embark to a new region in Asia but reflected on a ministry they were involved with for the past year.
One night, as Pedro and Rolando were visiting with Ben, they boldly shared their faith in Christ and encouraged him to make a decision to follow Christ. That night he accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior by saying a simple prayer!
Ethan and Emma* serve as EMM’s regional representatives for East Asia. At the beginning of 2019, it seemed like the right time for their family to leave the country in which they were serving. Due to some family health concerns and increasing challenges in their region of East Asia, Ethan and Emma moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Somwang struggled for years with mental illness. She fluctuated between periods of silence to fits of violent anger. Her husband, her sons, and her neighbors all learned to ignore her and had given up caring.
Tim told himself to relax, as he was sitting in the driver’s seat of his van with a rowdy crowd of youth inside and another rowdy crowd surrounding the van on the outside. Then it happened. Unexpectedly, the peal of shattered glass brought the noise to its sudden ruckus crescendo.
EMM worker Melanie Nofziger often meets with house cleaners to help them find work. One day, she had hopes to start a Bible study with these women, but felt a call to only begin with two women in particular: Juanita and Mariela.
Kandace Glenn has served on two assignments as an EMM mission intern in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, over the last two and a half years. She never would have guessed that God would have kept her in Cambodia for as long as He has. And now, she is preparing to go back to Cambodia as a long-term missionary with EMM.
Leon and Naomi Zimmerman, who are non-resident EMM workers, were teaching about marriage and parenting. However, they left Vietnam feeling a great sense of admiration for the way the Vietnamese culture is so family-oriented.
There is an African proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child.” It may not take a village to prepare and send EMM’s mission interns and workers, but it does take a committed and experienced team who seek God’s voice and the best for all involved.
One EMM mission intern in Wales keeps busy by not only serving the community through children’s programs and meals for the elderly but also through intentional living communities. And it’s changed the way she views the world!
For many young people, summer is a time to sit back and relax. However, youth and young adults will have the unique opportunity to work on coffee farms high in the mountains of the Intibuca region of Honduras or minister in the urban setting of Chamalecon on the outskirts of San Pedro Sula.
Joanne and Werner De Jong may not fit the typical profile of an EMM mission intern. They are the parents of three young adults and have established careers. Werner has served as a pastor in Alberta, Canada, for over 12 years and Joanne served as an associate pastor for 7 years.
In the fall of 2016, Becca Lapp Wierwille traveled to Cusco, Peru, to be a mission intern with EMM teaching English at PROMESA, a school connected with the Peruvian Mennonite Church. Becca was looking for adventure, for a chance to serve others, and to grow closer to God’s heart. She was able to use the internship for credit to complete her college degree. Becca’s semester in Peru did meet all of these expectations.
Leaders of the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia were eager to launch the new Amharic translation of “A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue.” However, publishing was put on hold so the church could secure the participation of the leadership of the Amharic-speaking Muslim community.
When Julie and Tim Groff arrived in Dangriga they were aware of the fact that their local church had shuttered its doors and was no longer functioning. Local leaders had burned out for various reasons, and new life was needed.
Twelve people were gathered closely in a circle as Yvonne Garber uttered a simple Swahili phrase: “Mungu Anajua.” Yvonne then shared the translation of this short expression — “God knows” — as she and her husband, Joe, elaborated about how they first discerned a calling to serve Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania.
Gathered in a simple one-story building, surrounded by a grassy courtyard, and shaded by an enormous fig tree, pastors and leaders of the Shirati Diocese of the Tanzania Mennonite Church explored Anabaptist essentials.
Pastor. Board member. Executive director. Missionary. Head of school. Theology teacher. Executive vice president and chief operating officer. Gerry Keener has been all these things ... and all while serving with EMM. It is exactly this wealth of 40 years of experience that makes him so uniquely qualified to serve as the eighth president of Eastern Mennonite Missions.
Justice. Did you know it was voted the 2018 word of the year? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, justice was looked up online 74% more often than it was in 2017. Like the year before, 2018 certainly had its time of hardships and sorrows. Justice seemed elusive. Wars and rumors of wars. Floods, earthquakes, famines. Political, racial, and economic divides.
A coffee house outreach is providing English-language practice for youth and young adults, with opportunities for leadership training, and of course, free coffee. EMM workers Jayden and Anika*, serving in Central Asia, hope that this outreach will provide opportunities to share God’s word with nonbelievers, and as a way to disciple those who already are believers.
Living overseas during Christmas can be a challenging time. But this past Christmas, EMM workers serving in Sierra Leone, Jon and Heleen Yoder, decided to embrace Christmas in a different place.
Short-term EMM workers serving in Nairobi, Kenya, learn that their valuable experience of once owning a hardware store has impacted their ministry in a very unique way.
Have you ever thought about how overwhelming moving to a new place can be? Perhaps, you’ve experienced it a few times in your life. Experience the first couple of days of a mission intern serving in Wales, U.K. Victoria Derosier.
During the last week of December, more than 200 joyous attendees filled the Catel Mennonite Church in Guinea-Bissau. The meetinghouse resonated with jubilant singing, inspiring messages, and a special celebration. What was this special celebration? Mennonite Church West Africa, or MCWA, credentialed its first pastors and was gathering for an annual conference.
On November 30, 2018, Tyndale Theological Seminary in Badhoevedorp, Netherlands hosted the event: “A dialogue comparing the divine and the human in Islam and Christianity.” Exploring a unique aspect of Christian theology, EMM worker Jonathan Bornman highlighted the concept of “Imago Dei” — the belief that humanity is created in the image of God.
Learning a new language is never easy. Especially when it’s Garifuna, a dying language derived from five other languages! But somehow, learning to sing a praise song is the first step in EMM worker Tim Groff’s journey toward fluency!
Music can evoke emotions of joy, sadness, and reverence. It is also an effective way to share the gospel and get Scripture into the hearts and minds of people in any culture around the world. EMM worker Glenna Sollenberger is passionate about helping every culture understand the Scriptures in ways that are meaningful to them.
In 2008, John and Debbie Coats started a pilot program for children which focused on character training in a rural village in southeastern Cambodia. The program included music which helped the children realize that not only can worship be very beautiful, but that they can be a part of those beautiful sounds.
Brook Hostetter served with EMM from 2014–16 as an English and music teacher at the PROMESA school in Cusco, Peru. She connected a North American children's choir with a Peruvian children's choir. The result was an original song and music video, recorded and filmed in Cusco!
On Christmas Eve, nearly 2,000 people — many of whom are homeless — will be invited to a beautiful white-linen meal in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
EMM workers Steve Horst and Mark Schoenhals, along with 20 people from Life Enrichment Church, attended a house church planting conference where they were inspired to create some ambitious goals.
Kevin Ruhf served as an EMM mission intern in the Netherland in 2012. Several years after serving with this hostel ministry, a trip to Tanzania reminded Kevin of what peace looks like.
EMM staff members Jimm and Kaylene Derksen challenged high school students to go 48 hours without using their smartphones or social media.
Kefa Moirore, a Kenyan pastor and entrepreneur multiplied a grant from EMM by 4,000 percent, helping to fund his ministry to street families.
Multiplication is an important part of discipleship. Phil and Linda, through their work at Tyndale Theological Seminary, are investing in students who will then be investing in others!
The first K’ekchi’ believers in Guatemala grew from a small little group in 1971 to a self-governing network of 130 Mennonite congregations today. Larry Lehman, one of the first pioneer workers among the K’ekchi’, says they learned much from one another.
Before moving to Lancaster County 18 years ago, Donna Becker had little exposure to Mennonites. This summer, Donna’s understanding of Mennonite identity was expanded when she met the people of Habecker Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pa
Foz do Iguaçu, a Brazilian city known as the “land of the waterfalls” has a growing Muslim population. This summer, Brazilian evangelicals in this city explored new ways of relating to their Muslim neighbors with some members of EMM’s Christian-Muslim Relations Team.
EMM and VidaNet mission intern Brock Rohrer had an unforgettable experience of hospitality with new friends at the Honduras-Guatemala border.
The Chamber Choir of the Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster made new friends in Indonesia with singing, smiles, and taking pictures.
The differences between living in a village and a city can be stark and a bit disconcerting. But the Wert family is intentionally choosing a lifestyle in Wales that is rooted in community and service to others.
Cities can be crowded places filled with a wide variety of people, viewpoints, and ethnicities. But cities are efficient places to share the good news and often people are surprisingly receptive.
EMM worker Michael Clancy discovers that the needs and issues in the city of Lebanon aren’t any different than those in Philadelphia or New York City. Everyone needs the light of Christ
In a centuries-old North African city where any mention of the gospel is banned, an Eastern Mennonite Missions worker sees the start of a movement — beginning with one new believer.
EMM’s Kingdom Teams and non-native English speakers have fun and learn from one another during the Leap into Language program.
A former Eastern Mennonite Missions worker found his call to Burma during an EMM assignment among refugees in Lancaster, Pa. Now Sean FitzGerald is preparing to follow that call halfway around the world.
A small village in West Africa is experiencing a transforming movement reminiscent of the early Anabaptist church.