ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) – Together with the global church, Mennonite Mission Network mourns the death of Nelson Mandela and remembers the important legacy he left us. His belief in human dignity and equal rights inspires us all to offer kindness and grace even to our enemies.
The fearless South African leader gave the world a peaceful model for resistance and change. Tirelessly, he sought to abolish his country’s apartheid political system that ensnared citizens with racial oppression. As the first democratically elected president of the country, Mandela demonstrated how to lead a nation through a process of reconciliation that helped it heal from the broken relationships caused by injustice.
“I’m grateful to have shared a space in time and a special place with a giant in advancing the cause of honoring the humanity of all,” said Stanley W. Green, executive director of Mennonite Mission Network, who is from South Africa. “Just over two decades ago, [he was] released into the bosom of his people and the land that he loved. Today, [he was] released into the land of truest freedom and into the bosom of God.”
Let us all further Mandela’s legacy and find the God-given humanity in each other, friend and stranger alike.
###
For immediate release
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
