You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house in the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. —Matthew 5:14-16 TNIV

At a time when our church seems to be shrinking and we are tempted to think our influence is fading, I invite you to reflect on an aspect of our work that is growing. In my travels across Mennonite Church USA, I meet many people who grew up in other denominations or with other expressions of faith and have joined Mennonite Church USA because of our theology and values.

I am particularly grateful for the ways we are reaching new people through the ministries of our churchwide agencies—Everence, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Health Service (MHS) Alliance, Mennonite Mission Network, MennoMedia, as well as The Mennonite, Inc., a churchwide entity.

Most of these agencies have at least one thing in common—they minister to an increasingly diverse constituency, including many people who do not call themselves Mennonites.

In their early years, most of these boards worked primarily with members of Mennonite Church USA, whether as staff, board members or constituents. In recent years, these agencies have spread their wings across new territory.

In its September meeting, the Executive Board of Menno­nite Church USA complimented these ministries for reaching constituencies that have interest in Anabaptist values but who do not belong to the Mennonite church. They are reaching out to many “naked Anabaptists” (to use Stuart Murray’s term) both at home and abroad.

Some call themselves hyphenated Anabaptists, people with primary loyalty to another denomination but with strong Anabaptist leanings. For example, people may identify as Presbyterian-Anabaptists who favor their own church polity but look to Menno­nites for their peace theology.

It is both exciting and sobering to reflect on the way others are looking to us for guidance on how to follow Jesus in the world. Think, for example, of Willow Creek Community Church’s recent interest in peacemaking.

After reading one of John Paul Lederach’s books on reconciliation, pastor Bill Hybels referred to it in a sermon. He told the congregation that he has been remiss in teaching about peace, a vital element in the gospel. His interest piqued MennoMedia’s resolve to update and reprint Lederach’s book, which was written more than a decade ago.

They gave it with a new name, Reconcile, and Bill Hybels recommended it to tens of thousands of people in a recent broadcast to his leadership network. The result? The book sold several thousand copies in a few weeks.

The Executive Board encouraged MennoMedia to think of creative new ways to make their products available to a larger constituency that is thirsty for Anabaptist values.

The board commended them for the excellent launch of the new curriculum called Shine!, which outstripped their sales expectations, and earned the commendations of people from other denominations. Perhaps this is a literal fulfillment of Jesus’ metaphorical command to let our light shine.

The Executive Board encouraged MennoMedia to continue partnering with other denominations and individual Christians who have interest in an Anabaptist frame of reference.

Everence also partners with other historic peace churches, such as the Quakers, who desire ministries with meaningful integration of one’s faith and finances. And MHS Alliance has been asked to work with congregations in China that are building church-related institutions for health ministry.

They found MHS alliance a helpful model of connecting the theology of the church with practical ministry in the community.

I pray that the light of our lives and ministries may reflect the glory of God in ever brighter and deeper hues so that God’s healing and hope may flow unhindered through us to the world.