Being a servant to one another

When I think of the word “service,” one of the first things that pops into my head is the lyrics to a song we often sing in our congregation, “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant” (Voices Together 778). Our hymnal sometimes uses first lines as titles; however, the actual song title is “The Servant […]

Witness to Jesus comes from position of vulnerability

Flooding in Chad

Christy Harrison, Peter Sensenig and their family have been in N’Djamena, Chad since 2022. Peter teaches at Faculté de Théologie Evangélique Shalom (Shalom Evangelical University of Chad — FATES). Christy works as a nurse/midwife. They are jointly appointed with Eastern Mennonite Mission. Flooding in Chad was so serious this year that Christy Harrison, Peter Sensenig and their children […]

Dolores de parto

Dolores de parto

22 Pues sabemos que la creación entera gime y sufre hasta ahora dolores de parto. 23 Y no solo ella, sino que también nosotros mismos, que tenemos las primicias del Espíritu, aun nosotros mismos gemimos en nuestro interior, aguardando ansiosamente la adopción como hijos, la redención de nuestro cuerpo.? Fotografías de Louis Reed y Julian Böck en Unsplash. Diseño gráfico de Cynthia Friesen Coyle. 

Say, “Bonjour!” to Joseph and Rachel

Find out what a “typical” day looks like for Joseph and Rachel Givens, the facilitators for the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais, France. Together with their family, the Givens welcome people who are on the move through Europe and seeking refuge en route to England. The Skobtsova house offers temporary shelter and meals.  “[Our job is] […]

Meet Mission Network board member Rachel Gerber!

Each Mission Network board member brings their unique voice and perspective to the leadership team, and each one is passionate about Mission Network’s guiding vision: to lead, mobilize and equip the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Learn more about Mission Network leadership. Home: Bloomington, Indiana Home ongregation: Mennonite […]

Choosing to do justice

I believe that Micah 6:8 is one of the clearest verses in the Bible concerning exactly what God expects of us. All we are required to do, depending on the translation you read, is to act justly, love mercy and humbly walk with God. It’s simple, right? However, I don’t believe this is actually a question […]

Building community, building peace

I recall a piece of paper I held onto for years. This was before memes became popular on the internet, but it had the same feel, only it was in print, instead of on a screen. It was a line drawing of two birds sitting on a tree branch, with snowflakes falling all around. The text […]

Podcast episode explores building faith through service

MC USA Executive Director Glen Guyton interviews Executive Director Marisa Smucker for the “Lead/Follow” podcast

Mennonite Church USA‘s (MC USA) "Lead/Follow" podcast, hosted by MC USA Executive Director Glen Guyton, aims to equip and inspire today’s pastors and congregational leaders. In its relaxed, half-hour conversation format, Guyton engages with various individuals across the denomination to explore and uncover insights, inspiration and strategies. In the fifth episode, Mennonite Mission Network Executive Director Marisa […]

Journeys of hope “all through the night”

A child in a light house

SOOPers Barbara West and Kathy Howell spent six weeks volunteering at Maria Skobtsova House, a sanctuary for refugees, that maintains a prayerful presence in Calais, France. Upon their return, they shared reflections with their home congregation, Corvallis Mennonite Fellowship in Corvallis, Oregon.  Identifying information about Skobtsova House guests has been changed, including their names. We went into this […]

Living in community

​🚧CAUTION!🚧 Part of living in community means working through conflicts together! Service Adventure unit leaders model conflict resolution skills for participants, mentoring them as they learn.  Unit leaders don’t do it alone, though. Each unit is supported by local advocacy teams and Mennonite Mission Network staff. Together, they make sure units have all the tools […]

Wishing your summer looked a little more global?

Youth Venture is your ticket! ​🌍 Hear from last year’s Benin team leaders on what made the trip unforgettable. Youth Venture is a short term summer service and learning program that connects you with a team of other young people to discover and experience the work that God is doing in the world. Don’t wait! Teams […]

Service Adventure: Spread your wings!

​Jason Potsander experienced connections both in his Service Adventure household and the community beyond that helped him learn more about himself and to spread his wings. Read more about how Service Adventure continues to shape the incredible life that Jason and his family live today.  Go to the Service Adventure webpage for current participant and […]