Mennonite Weekly Review

LANDISVILLE, Pa. — When Nicanor Duarte Frutos, then president-elect of Paraguay, asked Ernst Bergen, a successful Mennonite entrepreneur, to join his Cabinet, Bergen was astounded.

In a 2003 photo, Ernst Bergen signs a document certifying that he is the minister of industry and commerce for the government of Paraguay. President Nicanor Duarte Frutos sits second from left. — Photo provided by Ernst Bergen

“I replied quickly, without thinking much, ‘You are completely crazy, Mr. President,’ ” Bergen said.

Duarte — whose wife is a member of a Spanish-language Mennonite church and friends with Bergen’s wife, Lucy — then spoke passionately about how Mennonites in Paraguay criticize the government and think they have better solutions. Bergen agreed to reconsider the request, and, after consulting his family, business partners, friends and church, became minister of industry and commerce in August 2003, and then minister of finance in May 2005.

By the time he left office in July 2007 — because he felt exhausted — the Duarte administration had achieved many of its goals for Paraguay’s economy, including increasing exports, reducing external debt and investing more in public works.

Bergen told the story of his time in government to Phyllis Pellman Good of Good Books. The book was released Nov. 1 as Jumping Into Empty Space.

“Ernst was astonishingly forthright, and vulnerable, and honest and self-aware,” Good said, introducing Bergen at Landisville Mennonite Church Nov. 10 at an event sponsored by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society.

When Bergen joined the Paraguayan government, it was a new experience for Mennonites of the Fernheim Colony in the Chaco to have one of their own at a Cabinet-level position.

“Normally what had been done in those communities is to do what the Bible tells us, which is to pray for government,” he said.

Yet, as Duarte pointed out, Mennonites criticize the government, so, “we must be willing to accept the challenge of public service,” Bergen said.

Bergen felt the prayers of Mennonites as he and several other Mennonites served in top government positions.