BOGOTÁ, Colombia (Mennonite Mission Network) -- Colombian Mennonites are calling on the global church family to join them in Days of Action and Prayer on May 21-22 to oppose the continual escalation of violence in their country.
This call grows out of the Summit of the Evangelical Christian Church for the Peace of Colombia held in February where delegates of Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia (Colombian Mennonite Church) joined 100 church leaders of other denominations, representing more than 5 million Colombian Christians.
Their invitation reads, “Amidst ... the ongoing ‘crucifixion’ in Colombia, we find hopeful signs of new life and glimpses of the Reign of God. The accompaniment of the international community is an invaluable support to sisters and brothers here. Will you join us for this Day of Prayer and Action?”
The summit document’s purpose is “reconciliation between all men and women in Colombia, a reconciliation that recognizes wrongs that have been done, makes reparation to the victims of crimes, and produces changes in those who perpetrated them."
The statement also requested the international community to examine their nations’ foreign policies to ensure that they promote peace and economic justice rather than encouraging armed conflict, specifically mentioning free trade agreements, Plan Colombia and the trafficking of arms and drugs.
Plan Colombia was developed by the Colombian government with assistance from the United States to address the country's most pressing challenges: violence, the narcotics industry and a flagging economy.
Churches represented at the summit committed to emphasize conflict resolution skills in pastoral training, establish trauma centers for the 3 million people displaced by the conflict and promote forgiveness, reconciliation and prayer.
More information and worship resources for the Day of Action and Prayer may be viewed through the Peace and Justice Support Network or at www.peaceincolombia.org.
Amanda and Gamaliel Falla and Aaron and Laura Kauffman of Mennonite Mission Network minister with Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia.