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The gift of light
'What would Christ do?' Contributions of the Bolivian Mennonite Church to society
by Leónidas (Ona) Saucedo
Translated by Robert Yoder and Lynda Hollinger-Janzen
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| Bolivian Mennonite Church planters Yolanda Yokode Castro (center) and Tito Castro (right) worship with members of the La Tejería congregation. Photo: Ryan Miller/Mennonite Mission Network |
Though numerically few, the light radiating from the 600 members of Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Boliviana (Bolivian Evangelical Mennonite Church) penetrates deeply into the surrounding society. Though we have a lot in common with other Christians in our country, we have some distinctive characteristics.
We see whole people with physical, spiritual and emotional needs, not just as more souls to be saved.
We show that peace is possible through the way we live, the way we serve, and the way we evangelize. We believe in nonresistance, applying biblical examples in the context of our community.
For us the decision to follow Christ is a personal one with radical implications (perhaps rejection by family and suffering) and a new identity.Our church community rejects individualism and lives as a new family of brothers and sisters.
In the church, we embrace each other as equals, without regard to our educational degrees, our titles, or our economic success. We love and help our neighbors and the needy.
Historical Anabaptism helps us understand that we have a responsibility to give testimony to what Christ has done in our lives. When we lose the point of view of the past — whether it is the historical, theological or biblical perspective — we lose our way.
I believe that being a Bolivian Anabaptist Mennonite challenges me to review the scriptures and assimilate my historical legacy. I ask, “What would Christ do in this situation?” and “What did our spiritual ancestors do?” I do not wish to place our ancestors on a pedestal above others, but they do provide us with a rich heritage. As we reflect on the past in light of the Scriptures, we find answers to the new challenges that arise daily. 
Leónidas Saucedo has been the president of Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Boliviana for the past 10 years. Read his other contribution to this issue, God will provide.
In this issue:
Features
God will provide by Leónidas (Ona) Saucedo
The gifts of Argentina
When worlds overlap by by Jeanette Hanson
Is Europe's secular culture our future? by Ann Graham Price
Highlights
'What would Christ do?' by Leónidas (Ona) Saucedo
Be invitational by Vic Thiessen
Joy in a job that matters by Angela Rempel
Editor's note by John D. Yoder
Viewpoints
Are we willing to be converted? by Stanley Green
Finding gifts that symbolize mutuality by Jim Schrag
Return to Beyond Ourselves—Summer 2007
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