Mennonite Church USA

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”—1 Peter 3:15 (TNIV)

The Apostle Peter wrote to people who were enduring hard times. He encouraged them to take their suffering in stride, looking to Jesus for hope. Peter knew that people who lived with hope in the face of trouble would inevitably be queried about the reason for their positive outlook. He encouraged them to be ready to give an answer to those who asked.

Much of the modern church in America is weak and flabby when it comes to suffering for the sake of Christian faith. Followers of Jesus scramble alongside unbelieving neighbors to attain creature comforts and enjoy the supposedly good life to the full. Not exactly the kind of lifestyle that leads unbelievers to inquire about the reason for the hope that springs from within.

Yet in my travels, I often witness counter-signs indicating that people are seeking to follow a different path. I encounter congregations and conferences that are robustly missional in their Christian witness, openly declaring their hope in Christ. In this vein, I was strongly encouraged by my recent visit to Illinois Mennonite Conference (IMC).
IMC is one of the 21 area conferences in Mennonite Church USA. As the “pastor” of this group of churches, Chuck Neufeld wraps his arms of love around the diverse peoples that make up the conference. The theme of this year’s conference, “Embrace—For the Glory of God (Abraza—para la Gloria de Dios)” (Romans 15:5-7), reflected his warm spirit of care.

The meeting was held in Cicero, Ill., an urban community of Chicago close to the Midway airport. A large Spanish-speaking congregation, Sonido de Alabanza (Sounds of Praise), hosted the meeting. They demonstrated the hospitality and efficiency that helps them touch nearly 1,000 people in ministry every week. In his message to the conference, pastor Esdras Ferreras spoke fluently in both Spanish and English, with an interpreter who easily adapted when he switched from one language to the other.
The assembly planners gave priority to worship, preaching and interaction, with a relatively small block of time given to business. They launched an experiment by which each congregation will visit and be visited by a sister congregation. I sensed an air of excitement about the plan.

What I will remember most is my participation in two of the three Sunday worship services at Sonido de Alabanza. The energetic worship was led by more than 20 musicians, singers and banner wavers, accompanied by dancers of all ages between the front row and the stage. Later, when Pastor Ferreras made his weekly statistical report, the congregation responded with applause. Among other numbers, he reported these:

New converts: 11;
Teams of three: 67 (teams of three believers, each praying for three unbelievers);
Potential cell group leaders in training: 86;
Street evangelism: 23 gave their lives to Christ;
Unbelievers for whom they are praying: 648;
Bible chapters read: 3,039;
People fasting: 169;
Daily devotional with their families: 235;
Personal ministry (supplying needs and praying for others): 294.

Founding Pastor Juan Ferreras attended all the services, greeting people and casting a father’s eye over the time of ministry. Dubbed an apostle, he has helped start 50 daughter churches, most of them outside the United States.

This congregation, along with a nearby IMC church of the same size, Vida Abundante (Abundant Life), has much to teach us regarding the missional church.

Perhaps God can use the rising interracial tensions in our nation to prompt diverse peoples within Mennonite Church USA to embrace one another to the glory of God. It could even prompt unbelievers to ask about the hope that lies inside us. May it be so.