Focus

Somewhere in the archives of EMM, there is a video taken with a camcorder in October of 1990 of the first baptism of the Peruvian Mennonite Church. There might also be some slides or even some fuzzy photos taken with a film camera of that highly significant day. Somehow, by the grace of God, a church was born on October 12, 1990! Steve and Beth Gibbs were fortunate enough, along with other EMM missionaries and a good number of Peruvians, to be witnesses of all that took place that day. While many things have changed in the 35 years that have passed since then, the Jesus movement that began that day has continued.

EMM workers John and Debbie Coats are thankful for positive developments among the staff of the children’s program they run in Cambodia. These stories represent the first young Christian families in their villages, marking the second generation of believers. The initial believers came to faith in the early 1990s, and now their young children have grown up, married fellow believers, and started their own Christian families. This is a new phenomenon in the area. Unfortunately, many young Christians in Cambodia marry non-believers and often drift away from the church.

Multiplication is a buzzword in many missions and church circles regarding the expansion of the kingdom of God. Let’s say you start with one church. At some point, the church plants a second church. Later, another church is planted, and you have three. When a fourth church is planted, there are four. That’s addition.

Now, think of it another way. Let’s say you start with one church. And at some point, that church multiplies itself and becomes two churches. Later, those two churches each multiply themselves, and there are four. And after that, the four churches multiply and become eight.

There isn’t a huge difference between four and eight, but as you go further down the chain, the difference between addition and multiplication becomes exponentially larger.

“Called: Taking the Next Step” is a 24 hour retreat that is co-sponsored by EMM and LMC. We will engage with these three themes: Direction, preparation and timing, by worshiping, learning, and reflecting with others. Together we will respond to the nudge of God’s Spirit and break through the inertia in our lives. You can learn more and register online at emm.org/called.

A dream came true for Elizabeth* this past summer when she had the opportunity to travel to Great Britain and attend the summer school of a community she belongs to called "Movement in Worship." Elizabeth had joined the online community several years prior because, as many of her friends know, using movement to express her worship is one of her primary love languages with the Father. Deep down inside, singing a worship song without moving to it usually feels to her like reading a recipe in a cookbook without actually making or eating the food.

EMM workers Owen and Abby* recently moved to the same village where EMM workers John and Debbie* live. The family rented a truck recommended by friends, but it turned out to be much smaller than expected, requiring some creative packing to get everything loaded. Over ten people came out early to help, and despite packing well beyond its capacity, they still had to ship Owen's motorbike. The trip to the village with the loaded truck was quite entertaining.

Kingdom Teams (or K-Teams) were dynamic experiences this summer for the students served through a migrant education program, the K-Teams staff, and the youth who participated in the teams. Kingdom Teams Director German Bernardez led a K-Teams staff that included Esther Milonde Makoma, Sapjah Zapotitla, and Yokebed Zapotitla.

In May, Valerie Mumau ended her five-month outreach in Upala, Costa Rica, and returned to the base in Heredia, Costa Rica. As May turned into June, she transitioned into the final chapter of Vida220, known as VidaMissions. VidaMissions is a two-month period during which youth groups, school groups, or families can come to Costa Rica and experience a ten-day mission trip. This summer, there were three ten-day periods during which groups could participate, and Valerie enjoyed being a part of all three.

EMM worker Jan Heindel serves in Dobris, which is in the Czech Republic, by teaching English, building local relationships, and discipling youth and young adults in her local congregation. She strives to model a biblical lifestyle in post-Christian Europe and nurture others into the freedom and life that Jesus offers.

EMM worker William Higgins serves globally, providing discipleship training, leadership development, and mutual learning and encouragement with EMM’s partners. Recently, William found himself in Ethiopia, specifically in Bishoftu, an hour south of Addis Ababa. This vast nation, home to 120 million people, also holds the largest Anabaptist national church in the world: the Meserete Kristos Church (MKC), meaning "Christ the Foundation Church." In 2022, the MKC had 515,000 members, a number that swelled to nearly a million when including unbaptized individuals and children.