Peace message a treasure for Colombia, says MB leader

Pacifism is rarely an issue for North American Mennonites. It may be brought up in history lectures, mentioned with pride in family trees, or used to get the kids to stop fighting. For Mennonites in Colombia, however, pacifism is an integral and urgent part of their everyday lives.

Cesar Garcia, president of the Mennonite Brethren conference of Colombia, visited churches in Canada this spring to speak about how Anabaptist churches are responding to decades of violent conflict.

Cesar Garcia and Sandra Baez with their daughters and Ken Reddig of the Centre for MB Studies.

Peace is a welcome message in war-torn Colombia, Garcia told an audience at Fort Garry MB Church in Winnipeg Mar. 21. Colombia has the “oldest civil war in the world.” Illegal armed groups have forced many civilians into resistance operations. Garcia too was a military combatant, though he is ashamed of that now. But he certainly knows first-hand how much peace is needed in the country.

The economic situation is not any better. As many as 85 percent in some villages are unemployed. Corruption and drug trafficking run rampant while social injustice and low education levels prevent the situation from improving.

Neither is the church immune to corruption. “Many churches are preaching a gospel of prosperity,” Garcia said. “They are consumerist and egocentric, which attracts a lot of people who then quickly get disenchanted.”

It is amidst this turmoil that Mennonite Brethren preach their gospel of peace and love for one’s enemies. Often it is seen that forgiveness is not easy or cheap but trust in Jesus transcends boundaries, be they racial, social, or political.

“We believe we have a great treasure to share,” said Garcia, “and that God is calling us to share it.”

Besides congregational work, Mennonites in Colombia are involved in education and in various micro-economic and healthcare training programs. A once-senior officer in the military, Javier Pinzo, is now pastor of his own congregation. Recently, Mennonites have won the right to be conscientious objectors in Colombia.

Asked what we in Canada can do to show support, Garcia said that the Colombian church needs prayer and volunteers, especially people who can teach peacemaking issues. It also needs to know there are others aware of and supportive of their plight and dreams. It will take many to walk the path of peace for it to become a reality, he said.

During his tour, which was sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee, Garcia also spent time at the Centre for MB Studies in Winnipeg. The Mennonite Brethren presence in Colombia began 60 years ago and was much like other evangelical churches. During the last decade, however, MB churches in Colombia are discovering their Anabaptist roots. Garcia was eager to research Mennonite Brethren history as well as gather resources about MB distinctives.

—Gordon Kroeker

Gordon Kroeker is a student at Providence College and member of Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg.