MWR : Articles : Jan. 26, 2009

Last updated November 24.

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Articles : Jan. 26, 2009

‘Shattering expectations’

We commissioned Dennis Bricker for service with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Palestine Nov. 9.

Restore stature, reject torture

Jesus’ words we call the Golden Rule form the bedrock of Christian ethics. He said they sum up the Law and the Prophets: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12).

Guatemala church school counters the effects of poverty, violence

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — Seven years ago when Pastor Manuel planted Iglesia Pacto Renovado (Renewed Covenant Church) in Zone 16, a squatter community on the edges of Guatemala City’s sprawl, he hadn’t envisioned a neighborhood school, too.
African’s dream of study in Canada dashed when visa denied

ORODARA, Burkina Faso — An engraving from the Martyrs Mirror remains burned into the memory of Félix Dakuo. The image depicts Dirk Willems, a 16th-century Anabaptist who escaped prison, fleeing across a frozen river.
Mississippi church breaks down barriers, reaches out to community through new building

JACKSON, Miss. — Horace McMillon has big dreams for the small church he serves.
Burkina Faso church forges a faithful identity

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — With only about 500 active church members among the 15 million people living in the former French colony of Burkina Faso, Mennonites are virtually unknown, except for their reputation as peacebuilders.

Doubts about hell

It was encouraging to come across an article in MWR that reported a growing skepticism, even in evangelical seminaries, about traditional concepts of hell (Horizon, Sept. 1). Hell is an issue that deserves a lot more attention than it receives from our religious mentors. What could be more injurious to our confidence in God than a dogma according to which he enjoins us to love and forgive our enemies while he consigns his to endless torment — not only his avowed antagonists, but anyone who for whatever reason or to whatever degree, knowingly or unknowingly, falls short of his requirements.

Chicago gallery to show Mennonite values in art

CHICAGO — Robert Wayner is looking for artwork reflecting the themes of simplicity, peace and care for the environment.
MCC Central States helps families affected by immigration raid in Iowa

Mennonite Central Committee Central States is supporting the families of people detained in an immigration raid on a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, last May.
After strife, Kenyans find way to heal

KISUMU, Kenya — Nearly a year after post-election violence ripped Kenyan society apart, an Eastern Mennonite Missions couple led a trauma healing seminar Dec. 9-11 for 120 bishops, pastors, deacons and lay leaders in the Kenya Mennonite Church.