World Ministries - ZMC
Mission around the world & Stories
Jane Finch partnership
[see also Mission Partnerships]
The World Ministries Committee shapes missions policy, establishes support levels, assists in educating the congregation regarding mission outreaches, and helps the church to maintain contact with the missionaries we support, both financially and in prayer.
The congregation at ZMC supports a number of Christian organizations; including Hockey Ministries International - Mercy Ministries Canada - Jane Finch Fellowship in Toronto (an MCEC congregation, see Stories below, and History & Connections for perspective) - Mennonite Central Committee (see also Mission Partnerships) that oversees worldwide emergency and relief.
Reaching the world using the "Common Cents" program, started in 2007. The congregation collects their loose change in a pail and returns them on the first Sunday of the month. 2007 saw just over $11,000.00 collected. These monies were used for various mission outreaches.
Partnership with Brethren in Christ Church in Colombia
(see more @ Mission Partnerships)
This partnership involves a financial support to our missionaries in Bogotá Colombia as well as financially supporting special projects. We plan to have short-term mission trips to Colombia at least once every year.
Henry, Scott, Stuart and Jack in Bogota, August, 2008.
Henry, Jack, Scott and Stuart with boys in Bogota, August, 2008.
One of the churches in Bogota, Colombia recently (December) learned that they were being fined the equivalent of $19000 USD for having their building where they do. Please join us in prayer regarding this situation. Pray that God will give wisdom to their lawyer to know how to best respond to the Mayor´s office on the church's behalf. Ask God to help the leaders in the church resolve the situation in a way that will bring glory to Him, in a way that maintains their Christian integrity, and that they will act in love, humility and truth.
Carol Erb-Gingerich Mission Fund
A mission fund established by the late Carol Erb is supported by the congregation of ZMC and is used for the financial support of young people who are interested in missions.
Partnership with Jane Finch Faith Community in Toronto, Ontario:
Somewhat apprehensively, Brian and Bonnie Steckle prepared to travel to the Jane Finch Faith Community with others from Zurich Mennonite Church. They were unsure of what to expect. News about the Jane Finch area of Toronto was always negative. They had heard stories of gangs, violence, shootings and stabbings. However, they trusted God to look after them as they began this relationship with the urban congregation.
The first time they went, Brian and Bonnie taught the youth Sunday school.
They quickly realized that this would not be like teaching at their home church in Zurich. It would require time with these kids before trust and respect would develop.
In conversation with the youth, Brian began to understand some of their frustrations with life. With little to do, they end up on the streets looking for some excitement. This often results in hooking up with a gang. Sometimes the youth were simply trying to have some fun and ended up getting in trouble.
The potluck following the worship service holds many good memories. Brian found that this was a good time to build relationships and remembers one especially rewarding moment, "I was really touched when a teenage boy told me that he likes when I come and teach the youth class. He even gave me a hug! That tells me that the Lord is at work!"
Members of Zurich Mennonite Church have traveled the 200 kilometers to join the Jane Finch Faith Community every six weeks for about four years now. They welcome the opportunity to learn about the life and ministry of their urban brothers and sisters. It has been a stretching experience for both churches. Brian shares, "I have been changed by my involvement with Jane Finch. The big city is no longer so strange and frightening. I have seen God at work and have learned to appreciate the different culture that exists there. I know that when we undertake something new, we have our own ideas of how it should work out. However, there are always unknowns where faith comes in. We need to step out and trust God. "