Service To Others

The bible calls for Mennonites to help the hungry, the thirsty and the sick. They are taught that their faith cannot lie dormant. It is not good enough to have good intentions. Together with the Mennonites' experience of suffering thorough history, they have developed a sense of compassion for those in need in the world.

Today, this is reflected in their many service organizations like the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

  • Overall $700,000,000 has been raised since then, $63,000,000 in Canada.
  • MCC recognizes that more than money, people are its greatest resource. More than 12,000 individuals have volunteered since then.
  • The first thrift store was established in Altona in 1972 and now Canadian thrift stores raise more than $4M annually.
  • MCC works overseas in areas of education, health. It promotes agricultural projects and helps develop self help crafts.

EVOLVING NOTIONS OF SERVICE

Increasingly, there is discussion within MCC as to its future mission. Mennonites are trying to find a balance between their traditional work in the third world and the needs in their own back yard.