In Asunción, the Mennonite communities commemorate how the Latin American country became a place where they developed their faith and their service to society.
The Concordia Church in Asunción hosts commemorative events for the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement. / ED.
Mennonite churches and communities in Paraguay joined the worldwide celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement, a branch of Protestantism which began in 1525.
The Concordia Church in the capital city of Asunción hosted a symposium and a special service on 10 and 11 October, which included events open to the public. All Mennonite groups in Paraguay, along with numerous guests, took part in the event.
César García, the executive secretary of the Mennonite World Conference, underlined the importance of these days, during which “there were presentations, spaces for reflection, and enriching dialogues”, said church pastor Víctor Wall.
On Saturday evening, a joint worship service was held, bringing together Mennonites of various Latin American and indigenous backgrounds to celebrate unity and diversity.
According to pastors Victor Wall and Dario Ramirez, “Paraguay offered us sanctuary, not an economic empire. Our ancestors arrived with nothing but their Bibles, their tools and their firm belief that this was the place God had led them to”.
“The economic prosperity we have achieved is a by-product of our diligent work and our obedience to the principles of unity, cooperation, and simplicity, not an end in itself. This anniversary reminds us that our true wealth lies in our communion with God and in our mutual support, not in our fields or factories”, they added.
[photo_footer] Arrival of the Mennonites by train from Puerto Casado to Km. 145. / Fernheim Archive.[/photo_footer]
The Mennonites trace their origins back to the Radical Reformation in Zurich, Switzerland, around 1525. This movement was born out of the conviction that faith in Jesus Christ is based on a personal and conscious decision, made visible through a transformed life.
Its founders, who were often persecuted for their beliefs, practised adult baptism, radical discipleship of Jesus Christ in their daily lives, pacifism and a simple lifestyle.
Over the centuries, their commitment to religious freedom has prompted multiple migrations.The arrival of the Mennonites in Paraguay in the 1920s was the culmination of that.
The first families who settled in the Paraguayan region of Chaco were seeking a refuge where they could practise and live their faith freely. Chaco became a place where they could develop both their economy and their beliefs.
“The struggle to survive in that extreme environment was a huge test of their faith and perseverance. Chaco became a place where their dependence on God and their community was tested and strengthened”, read the text shared at the commemoration event.
When analysing the current situation of Mennonites in the country, Wall recalled that “it is no longer just a migrant community, it is also quite diverse in terms of size and includes both Latin American and indigenous people. Immigrants still maintain their own culture and institutions while integrating into economic and social areas in an interesting transition process”.
Paraguay's Mennonites “approach life based on their faith in Jesus Christ, expressed through 'diakonia', the practice of selfless service”, he pointed out.
“Coexisting with indigenous communities is another example of their commitment to peace and service. Through evangelism, founding churches, agricultural development, education and healthcare, the collaboration between Mennonite migrants and indigenous peoples builds bridges of understanding, cooperation and mutual respect”.
“This collaboration reflects their commitment to non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution, key principles of their faith in Jesus Christ”, he concluded.
For pastors Wall and Ramírez, “this commemoration will be an opportunity for Paraguay and the world to understand and appreciate how the history of the Mennonites is a testimony to the power of faith in Jesus Christ to overcome adversity”.
At the same time, “it is an example of how communities can flourish when they prioritise and promote values rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ in all areas of life”.
With these events, the Mennonite churches and communities of Paraguay joined in the global celebration of the 500th anniversary of the origins of the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement.
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