WASHINGTON, D.C. — Forty leaders gathered to explore ways to combat anti-Muslim speech and behavior July 11-13, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Among the 40 academics, activists, Christians, Jews, journalists, Muslims, non-religious, and politicians present was Jonathan Bornman, global consultant serving with Eastern Mennonite Missions.

WILLOW STREET, Pa. — Thirty-two adults and children were commissioned as missionaries at EMM’s commissioning service on July 10, 2016, at Willow Street Mennonite Church. The workers, both new and reappointed, will be serving in 14 countries including the U.S.

WILLOW STREET, Pa. — More than 1,000 visitors enjoyed learning about the cultures, foods, and customs of countries around the world at Eastern Mennonite Missions’ Global Fair on Saturday, July 9, 2016. The grounds of the Hans Herr House and Museum were filled with exhibits hosted by EMM workers, staff, volunteers, and friends of more than 16 countries around the world. Visitors could purchase delicious food from places like Somalia, Puerto Rico, and Tajikistan. Children enjoyed creating free crafts, petting llamas, and playing a variety of international games.

MILTON, Pa. — Inviting a Muslim family to share a meal in your home: is this simple action key to helping Christians build bridges of friendship with their Muslim neighbors? After leading a group of Community Mennonite Fellowship congregants through sections of David W. Shenk’s “Approaches to Islam” video course, that’s just what Ron Geib did. And after a class filled with enthusiastic learning and discussion, about 20 other churchgoers are better prepared to take those simple, significant steps toward making Muslim friends.

If you’ve ever lived in a foreign country, you know how hard it is to fit into the community. Between the language barrier, the cultural differences, and the lack of connections, it can be difficult finding your place. When you’re the outsider, you really appreciate it when people welcome you into their homes.

For those of us whose life journey has included staying in a college or university campus dormitory, we may remember what it was like to set up “home” in a new and unfamiliar setting. For some, dorm life was lonely. For others, it was exciting and invigorating. For all of us, it was an opportunity to grow.

Year-round, tourists stream to the shopping and entertainment options along the Lancaster County portion of the Lincoln Highway.

Making sure the kids have free time, bringing employees life instead of burnout, sacrificing valuable work time to make space for relationships. Jeff and Kendra Nissley can tell you that operating a family farm with a missional mindset isn’t easy. Today the Jubilee Dairy owners talk about restful living vs. to-do lists, building up their workers, and finding the unique ways that they can serve through farming.

In the lobby of the building where Mount Joy Mennonite Church meets, there is a rough wooden door propped up against the wall.

Sometimes you receive a gift so kind that it's the kindness, not the gift, that brings you joy for years.

Steve's phone rang. It was Ja, an Isaan house church leader from the Life Enrichment Church.

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2, NRSV).

“For me, the Alhambra became a metaphor for what can happen when people work together peacefully across religions and cultures,” said David Shenk, after visiting the historic Moorish palace while on a trip to promote Christian-Muslim relations in Spain. “When there is intercommunal peace, the result can be phenomenal beauty.”

Read this article at The Mennonite.

Salunga, Pa. -- Haven’t renewed your passport? On a tight budget? Is the idea of foreign travel daunting with young children?

No worries. International cultures, exotic foods, and foreign languages are only a short car drive away if you live in Central Pennsylvania.

This is a story of learning God’s heart, bit by bit, like petals unfolding from the center. Since high school, God has taken me on journeys to make His heart my heart. The more I learn, the clearer it becomes — God’s desire is really very simple, though we have quite the way of complicating it. Love God and love others. That’s it. That’s the gospel, that’s what we’re called to do.

My story begins like many others in this circle — I graduated from high school and joined YES. My team was in Southeast Asia from 2009–2010.

SASKATOON, SK, Canada — David W. Shenk, a global consultant with Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM), served as the keynote speaker for this year’s Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDS) National Conference on May 26–29, 2016. The theme of the 2016 conference, which was attended by Christian medical professionals from Canada, was “Welcoming strangers.”

“Honestly, I laughed at the thought of going into missions,” said Becky Gant to a crowd of other YES alumni. “Me? I’m not good enough. I did everything in my power not to go into YES. Well, I lost, and I applied.”

NAIROBI, Kenya — David Shenk and Jonathan Bornman, members of Eastern Mennonite Missions’ (EMM) Christian/Muslim Relations Team (CMRT), traveled to Kenya at the invitation of the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC) from April 27 – May 8, 2016.

Milk: a story in process