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Last updated on
July 30, 2002
THE COLOMBIAN MENNONITE CHURCH FLOURISHES IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING
(By Islandes Losada and Pablo Stucky)
Colombia has been living for more than 50 years now in an armed situation. During this time more than 2 million people have become refugees or have lost their homes in search of security. The majority were women and children.
This generalized violence produces more than 30000 deaths yearly. There is an acute economic crisis aggravated by conflicts and corruption and by international economic politics which have caused bankruptcies among middle and small producers, creating the highest unemployment in the countryıs history, officially 20%. There are social problems produced by governmental policies resulting in the closure of hospitals and reduction of school resources. On part of the citizens there are strikes by transport personnel, teachers, farmers and aboriginals, but there are also arising popular beginnings in favor of peace and human rights.
In this context the Mennonite Church tries to stay faithful to Jesus Christ, the crucified. The experience of pastor Islandes Losada and his congregation was written up in the CORREO newspaper in the first trimester of 2001. During almost an entire year Losada received death threats due to his ministry to people who search for God and try to get out of the guerilla groups and to lay down their weapons. With the help of sisters and brothers of the Mennonite churches, Losada tried to dialogue with the armed group that threatened his life to explain to them the Gospel and the ministry to which he and his congregation had been called. He said that in spite of threats and opposition he remains faithful to this call.
Losada was set upon and found himself in difficult circumstances. With the help of prayer and the council of the church he was able to give testimony of the Gospel of Peace and inform the guerrilla group of the projects of the Mennonite Church in Colombia. Since then all threats have stopped and the Sanctuary of Peace in his church has been able to function without new surprises. A good number of people have come forward, ready to desert the violent groups. The presence and testimony of pastor Losada and his congregation and of other Christian churches have contributed to the founding of new Christian congregations in different parts of the country where armed conflicts have arisen.
Many churches have had to pass through similar circumstances. The economic, social and political situation affects all. The Mennonite church of a small city offers families a program which has contributed to save and strengthen many homes. A church in the capital city offers a space weekly to pray for peace in the country and has organized a Committee for Peace and Justice to give attention to the many who come asking for urgent help to overcome the threats Some churches have an educational ministry. Others organize programs to assist those seniors who are deemed to be at the fringe of society.
The churches in the countryıs south also try to survive armed conflicts. Different Anabaptist denominations seek to form strong bonds in order to give congregational answers and solidarity to the serious economic necessities which affect them and surrounding communities.
To attend to these necessities the Mennonite Church counts on the help of the MCC, as well as the Mennonite Mission Board in the USA, as well as other churches and organizations. The national office of the Mennonite Church of Colombia is forming committees in their congregations in order in order to tend to the spiritual, economic, psychological, social and health needs of the people.
JUSTAPAZ supports efforts to promote conscientious objection towards the military in all groups. Its initiatives combine peace and development, support for the churches in activities like peace and sanctuaries, as well as participation in social movements which are for peace in the country. JUSTAPAZ also supports projects of sister churches in which Colombian churches are twinned with churches in other countries for support and the sharing of ideas. The organization also participates in starting dialogues with armed groups to promote peace. It also offers support to other evangelical churches through the organization ³Committees for Human Rights and Peace². There exists a good acceptance of the Anabaptist theology and perspective.
Another program, MENCOLDES, continues its long history to promote projects of development for poor and displaced persons and those living on the margin of society, empowering them to overcome the serious economical crisis. The program also offers medical, dental and psychological help for the displaced, helps in their re-assessment and housing, gives agricultural advise, and helps with education and pastoral care.
The Mennonite schools offer educational instruction, leading to the Gospel and its call to non violence. Two ³Homes for the Third Age² respond to the urgent needs of seniors with minimum resources. The Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Colombia provides training for leaders from the church communities who are thus becoming the leadership for our churches in the present and the future.. The bookstore LA LUZ, (the Light) , and the Centre for Anabaptist Resources (CLARA), offer Anabaptist literature which emphasizes the way in which we perceive its staying power for the practice of our faith in these times. The centre CREER (Believe) offers space for solitude and reflection.
The testimony of our sisters and brothers in North America who have arrived as part of the Christian Peacemaker Teams and who were invited by the Colombian Mennonite Church has helped. The Mennonite Church is also endorsing the program Witness for Peace which brings international delegations to our country in order to find out first hand the impact of the USA politics and their ³Colombia Plan². As they return home they hope to be able to affect a change in politics so as not to use military solutions but instead to start coming up with non-violent solutions as the answer to the problems of our country.
How does one interpret this reality and how does one maintain the hope and the testimony in midst of the ongoing difficulty and the danger? ³It is not easy to live in midst the conflict, much less when it is directed towards oneıs own life² says pastor Losada. ³But this also brings with it the challenge to carry on in bringing the Gospel of Peace to those persons who are suffering because of the violence in our country. And it makes us think that God is the only hope we have².
Losada added - ³This hope has helped me not to be paralysed by fear. On the contrary, I have learned to seek places to take actions which are different from those that are offered in our country today. The non-violent answer is one example².
How has this reality affected prayer life and adoration in the church? ³It has led to the fact that people have a more personal life with Christ through prayer, that daily living be more in accordance with Christ²s testimony of life² says Losada. ³The local church of which I am a part has grown almost 200% with the average assistance of 400 persons getting involved in Godıs kingdom. The church tends to basic needs of families and extends itself to other areas of the country by proclaiming the Gospel, especially in those places where the armed conflict is more accentuated. The Gospel is without doubt the message and alternative in such situation and in these difficult times.
We live, thankful for the prayers and support of sisters and brothers in the entire world. In my case many churches in different countries organized prayer vigils to ask for the Godıs help. And God answered. This spurs us on to keep working in the different projects. We ask that our sisters and brothers remain in prayer. We have to overcome this crisis through which our church and country are passing² concludes Losada.
Islandes Losada is a pastor and Pablo Stucky is co-ordinator of the JUSTAPAZ
program.