Difference between revisions of "Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church"

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Revision as of 07:33, 20 April 2011

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This group, based in the United States, has three congregations with a total of 25 members, several mission outreach sites, and a gospel tract distribution center in El Salvador. It has related congregations in Belize, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, and the United States. ^[1]

Stories

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History

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Origins

In 1970, the Conservative Mennonite Fellowship requested help with mission work in Guatemala because they had more opportunities than they could handle. ^[2]
Beginning in 1971, Mennonite Messianic Mission, the service agency of the newly created Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church, agreed to mission work in Guatemala. This was the first foreign mission project for the agency. Forty-eight acres of land were acquired and in early 1972 several families from the United States moved to Guatemala.^[3]

Early mission work for the church began in the primitive highlands of Guatemala in an area known as La Victoria. The early missionaries faced much superstition, much of which could be attributed to the present Indian culture which emphasized the role of spirits and sorcery in daily life.^[3] Homes were built for missionary families which moved from the United States. In late 1972 the first natives joined the church as five Guatemalans were baptized. By 1977, the first congregational building was completed and named La Iglesia Menonita de La Victoria (La Victoria Mennonite Church).^[2]

In the 1970’s, the majority of Guatemalans were either Catholic or held indigenous beliefs. Early converts were attracted to the church due to the clarity and structure offered in Bible teaching programs. The missionaries instructed Guatemalans in the meaning and application of Bible verses and stories. One on one tutoring programs and personalized teaching were effective in the adaptation of Mennonite beliefs.^[3]

Civil Unrest in Guatemala (1980's)

Beginning in the late 1970's Guatemala began a period of conflict between between Guatemalan government forces and leftist rebels. This was a dangerous time for members of the church as they found themselves in the middle of the fighting. One family had to hide for cover as their home was caught in a shootout between the two forces. After a conservative Mennonite worker was shot to death and the missionaries received threats, many of the United States mission families decided to return to the United States for safety. These workers returned a short while later after determining that the needs of the church outweighed the dangers.

This time of fighting also challenged the Mennonite stance of separation of church and state. Mennonites refused to assist or participate with either side in the conflict. Guatemalans faced immense pressure to join the Guatemalan national forces or local watch groups known as the Civil Defense Patrol. One church member ended up in jail after he refused to participate in activities with the Guatemalan military. The issue of involvement in the Civil Defense Patrol brought much conversation and controversy to the church. Frank Martin petitioned the Minister of Defense to allow alternative service for church members instead of civil defense. After several more meetings and conversations, government officials determined that members would be allowed to serve in community betterment projects instead of the Civil Defense Patrol.

Contemporary Life

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Citations

↑ Donald B. Kraybill, Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010), 229.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Rudolph, “Our Mission in Guatemala” (Secondary School Term Paper written about general Guatemalan history and Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite History involvement in the country) , 24
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Wayne Rudolph, Phone conversation with author, April 12, 2011.

[1] Donald B. Kraybill, Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010), 229.

[Rud-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Rudolph, “Our Mission in Guatemala” (Secondary School Term Paper written about general Guatemalan history and Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite History involvement in the country) , 24

[Way-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Wayne Rudolph, Phone conversation with author, April 12, 2011.

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[2]

[3]

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 In 1970, the Conservative Mennonite Fellowship requested help with mission work in Guatemala because they had more opportunities than they could handle. <ref name="Rud">Rudolph, “Our Mission in Guatemala” (Secondary School Term Paper written about general Guatemalan history and Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite History involvement in the country) , 24</ref><br>   Beginning in 1971, Mennonite Messianic Mission, the service agency of the newly created Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church, agreed to mission work in Guatemala. This was the first foreign mission project for the agency.   Forty-eight acres of land were acquired and in early 1972 several families from the United States moved to Guatemala.<ref name="Way">Wayne Rudolph, Phone conversation with author, April 12, 2011.  </ref><br>
-Early mission work for the church began in the primitive highlands of Guatemala in an area known as La Victoria.  The early missionaries faced much superstition, much of which could be attributed to the present Indian culture which emphasized the role of spirits and sorcery in daily life.<ref name="Way" />  Homes were built for missionary families which moved from the United States.   In late 1972 the first natives joined the church as five Guatemalans were baptized.  By 1977, the first congregational building was completed and named La Iglesia Menonita de La Victoria (La Victoria Mennonite Church).<refname="Rud" />
+Early mission work for the church began in the primitive highlands of Guatemala in an area known as La Victoria.  The early missionaries faced much superstition, much of which could be attributed to the present Indian culture which emphasized the role of spirits and sorcery in daily life.<ref name="Way" />  Homes were built for missionary families which moved from the United States.   In late 1972 the first natives joined the church as five Guatemalans were baptized.  By 1977, the first congregational building was completed and named La Iglesia Menonita de La Victoria (La Victoria Mennonite Church).<ref name="Rud" />
 In the 1970’s, the majority of Guatemalans were either Catholic or held indigenous beliefs.  Early converts were attracted to the church due to the clarity and structure offered in Bible teaching programs.  The missionaries instructed Guatemalans in the meaning and application of Bible verses and stories.  One on one tutoring programs and personalized teaching were effective in the adaptation of Mennonite beliefs.<ref name="Way" />

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