Page
1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page
4 | Page 5 | Page
6
Service
has always been an important part of Mennonite life.
The
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), for example, is a relief, service,
and peace agency. Founded in 1920, MCC seeks to reflect the Biblical
call to care for the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the sick,
and those in prison. In 2002 alone, MCC received nearly $100 million
to fulfill this mission. It has 1300 workers in 57 countries.
Not
coincidentally, many Mennonite outreach agencies started up after
the war.
Mennonite
Economic Development Associates (MEDA) was founded in 1953 and aims
to bring hope, opportunity, and economic well being to low income
people around the world through a business-oriented approach to
development. Each year MEDA creates or sustains about 10,000 jobs
around the world. One way they do this is through the Sarona Global
Investment Fund. Sarona is the only socially responsible fund that
specifically targets low-income people in the developing world.
MEDA's target group is the poorest of the economically active in
the developing world. These are people who, because they are poor,
cannot obtain loans from local banks to start or grow businesses.
Mennonite
Voluntary Service (MVS) was founded in 1944, making it the oldest
continuing voluntary service program in Mennonite circles. It provides
a way for people to live out their faith through deeds of service.
MVS has been a powerful influence on the church. Thousands of Mennonites
(and others) have served marginalized people in the past five decades.
In the process, they themselves were served and transformed by the
people among whom they lived.
Mennonite
Disaster Service, founded in 1950, is a channel through which various
constituencies of the Anabaptist churches can respond to those affected
by disasters in North America . While the main focus is on clean
up, repair and rebuilding homes, this activity becomes a means of
touching lives and helping people regain faith and wholeness.
 Ed
Bearinger wanted to do all he could to alleviate human suffering
in the war. He wishes he could have done more. Since
the war he has encouraged people to be involved with Mennonite Disaster
Service which works at alleviating human suffering.
These
agencies have all done valuable service, but what exactly is the
connection to conscientious objectors?
Page
1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page
4 | Page 5 | Page
6
|
