One Christian’s Perspective on the Ukraine – Russia Crisis of March 2014
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
Today, world society is divided on how to assess developments in Ukraine. One demands that we choose sides. But doing so means rejecting those people of good will on the other side of the barricades. At a time like this, … Read More
Culture Shift in Mexico and Brazil
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
Under a canopy in the warm sun, the delegates of ICPM, the Mexico Mennonite Brethren conference debated a financial challenge. Their leadership development program has begun to pay off with young leaders stepping up toward advanced training. Two young men … Read More
Scholarship recipient gifted to serve
posted in: Global Scholarship Fund
Global friends help pastor study theology LISBON , Portugal As son of the founding pastor, Moisés Mente has been involved in Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas da Amadora (Amadora Evangelical MB Church) since it began, but he’s still learning. “Bible school … Read More
A Moral Case for the Resurrection
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
I was enjoying a fast trip through 1 and 2 Thessalonians this morning, when suddenly I was stopped in my tracks by Paul’s instructions about the resurrection and ‘fate’ of the dead and the living at the end of time. … Read More
Loving Constraint
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
2 Corinthians 5:14 says “the love of Christ constrains me.” I recently experienced a practical definition of constraint, often translated “compel” or “control”. It’s not a word that has many handles on it. On a fraternal visit to Panama recently, … Read More
The Immutable Law of Love
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
To be immutable is to be unchangeable. Gravity is immutable. It works every time. Thus we have the “law” of gravity. I have done a simple exercise to illustrate: while talking about gravity, I raise my hand to head height … Read More
Henotheists Make Reluctant Pacifists
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
A favorite author of mine says “Monotheism is a terrible idea but a wonderful discovery.” He explains that it took the exile for Israel to discover monotheism. It was only an idea before they went through the exile and subsequent … Read More
Peace Lessons from the Global MB Family
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
President of Columbia Bible College Bryan Born called me for some “peace lessons” stories coming out of our global family. He wanted them for a lecture this week. One story comes out of Colombia. The Colombia MB conference is an … Read More
Integrity and Our Community Hermeneutic
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
This morning I was celebrating the Lord’s Supper with the good folks of Familia de Dios (Family of God) Mennonite Brethren Church in Trujillo, Peru. Pastor George read the 1 Corinthians 11 text to prepare us. Then it hit me: … Read More
Pathway to Hope
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
I’ve been privileged to study Romans 5 with people in different countries and interact about their source of hope. Paul teaches that there’s a “pathway to hope” founded on our faith in Jesus Christ (v.1). “…we also rejoice in our … Read More
Gifts We Didn’t Know We Needed
posted in: Viewpoints: Executive Director
I just completed a week in Paraguay on my fraternal visit to the Spanish and German Conferences. I spoke in chapel at IBA – Instituto Biblico Asuncion. It’s a vibrant, growing school, providing a solid foundation of Christian discipleship and … Read More