Reading about another Mennonite group forming reminded me of a story out of the East African Revival. A number of churches, especially Mennonite and Anglican, were unhappy with the newness springing up in their midst. People were turning to Jesus in new and refreshing ways. But they did not go and start another denomination or congregation. They remained faithful to their church. In some instances the “revived” people were physically expelled from their churches. But they would not go. They sat around the outside, listened and sang with the worship going on inside. In several instances, ushers passed the offering basket to these on the outside, and they contributed. These “revived” people refused to leave their churches. They remained faithful, becoming witnesses to the faithfulness of Jesus. The revival spread and in most instances brought the newness of Jesus to these churches. If God is doing something new in our lives, can we not in humility stay, share and permeate our churches?

Paul G. Burkholder
Lititz, Pa.