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St. Louis, MO
Celebration launches second century of mission


One hundred years after Mennonite Church and General Conference missionaries first went to India, Mennonite Board of Missions and the Commission on Overseas Missions – the mission boards of the two Mennonite conferences – launched a fundraising campaign to begin a new century.

Several hundred people attended the afternoon celebration July 25 at the St. Louis convention.

In 1898, after hours of discussions about a joint venture, the two mission boards plan didn’t work out. Now in 1999, Conference of Mennonites in Canada and Mennonite Church USA are partners in a new $1 million second century campaign. The leaders of the campaign are asking their members to give $100 above their normal mission donations. Grants will be awarded for innovative mission endeavours.

The event included about 100 former mission workers who were present. COM’s centennial book, Window to the World by Tina Block Ediger, was also introduced.

At the turn of the century, Mennonite and Brethren in Christ membership worldwide was 225,000. Mennonites lived in 11 countries. Today, world membership exceeds 1 million.

From reports by Canadian Mennonite, The Mennonite and Mennonite Weekly Review.

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Last modified September 28, 1999.

© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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