Eastern Mennonite Missions weaves together ministry to the physical, spiritual, and social realms of the human mind, body, and spirit.
Our 2007 Catalog of Projects demonstrates this holistic approach. The catalog of projects, which includes the following story, specifies some opportunities for giving and gives updates on what your support is accomplishing.
Beth Good, catalyst for EMM's response to HIV/AIDS, met in Thailand with the AIDS visitation team from the Life Enrichment Churches, a local circle of churches begun by EMM workers.
Good said, “I was struck by the truly holistic ministry of this body of believers. When I asked why they started the ministry, Pastor Joi pondered a moment, then answered, ‘Well, when the hospital asked us to become involved, we felt compassion for those who were sick and dying because of AIDS. We also knew that everyone needs to know the salvation of Jesus Christ, so we felt compelled to share Jesus with them as well. I guess it’s difficult to separate the two.’”
Good reported, “When we made home visits with the church’s team, we saw them not only minister to the AIDS patients, but to whole households. We watched in fascination as the team leader answered questions about the differences between Christianity and Buddhism and briefly gave a creation-to-cross history lesson. We witnessed a ministry that enveloped the total health of an individual, a family, and a community. It’s what I like to call ‘complete evangelism.’”
The Thai church’s visitation team still wrestles with the stigma of HIV/AIDS. One member of the team knows stigma firsthand, since he is also HIV positive. Another member said that at first his wife did not want him to be involved lest he, too, would “catch” HIV.
But the church has forged ahead and now faces questions about what to do with the many HIV positive believers and their believing family members and friends. Should they be incorporated into existing cell churches or be in cells of their own? They don’t want to segregate those who are HIV positive from the greater church, but these new groups also have special needs.
Good said, “I enjoyed listening to the Thai church leaders wrestle with these issues. What a ‘problem’ to have: what to do with all the new believers!”
Visit here for a list of projects; we also encourage you to contact Amanda Perry for your own free copy of the catalog of projects at 717 898-2251. Show the projects to your Sunday school group, Bible study, or family, and pick one that you can support to bless the lives of those who need it.
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