MissionWary?

Service, calling, colonialism, pain. The word "mission" can bring up a wide range of emotions. Join Lynda and Travis as they talk with pastors, thought leaders and partners around the world about what makes some people "mission wary," and others missionaries. A podcast from Mennonite Mission Network.

Bonus: Weaving together the body of Christ 03/27/2023

Bonus: Weaving together the body of Christ In honor of Women's History Month, we're excited to present a bonus MissionWary? mini-episode! In her interview for episode six, Anicka Fast told the story of Edna Kensinger and Kazadi Matthieu. Together, they forged a complicated friendship, and joined in the imagination of the church beyond the missionary framework of 1920s Congo. It's a story we knew couldn't stay on the editing room floor! To learn more about Anicka Fast's ministry, . /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/26358918

Episode 07: 'MissionWary?' Live! 05/17/2022

Episode 07: 'MissionWary?' Live! Take a deep dive into the complexity of mission in the South African context with Mziwandile Nkutha and Andrew Suderman on a LIVE episode of MissionWary? Nkutha is the Coordinator of the - an organization that seeks ways to collaborate with different churches and community organizations in fostering the work of justice and peace in South Africa. Suderman, , brings a deep knowledge of the historical context of Christian mission, as well as a passion for what the future of mission can look like. Also featured in this episode are interviews with Yalile Caballero Vargas, president of , Willi Hugo Pérez, president of , and Diana Cruz, MCC worker in Bolivia, and international Mission Network worker alum with in Benin. Originally broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live, May 16, 2022. To view the video version of this episode, /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/23144651

Episode 06: You Must Remember This 12/06/2021

Episode 06: You Must Remember This How do the stories of mission become the history of mission? Anicka Fast shares why some stories get preserved and remembered, while others become forgotten. Plus, Rod Hollinger-Janzen gives insight into how AIMM (Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission) worked with Fast to unearth forgotten narratives from a century ago. To learn more about Anicka Fast's ministry, go to For more information on AIMM, go to /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/21374243

Episode 05: Where's This Mission From, Anyway? 12/06/2021

Episode 05: Where's This Mission From, Anyway? Does Christianity change a culture, or is it the other way around? A conversation with James Krabill on the Biblical impetus for mission, and what North American churches can learn from mission practiced around the world. Krabill is co-author of the new book, Unless A Grain of Wheat: A Story of Friendship between African Independent Churches and North American Mennonites. For more information, go to: Read the book review from Mission Network here: /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/21374201

Episode 04: Parts and Service 12/06/2021

Episode 04: Parts and Service When does service become mission? Marisa Smucker and Andrea Sawyer-Kirksey weigh in on how their experiences leading MVS (Mennonite Voluntary Service) and DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) have informed the way they see the connection between service and mission. For more information on MVS, go to For more information about DOOR, go to To learn more about the basics of anti-racism, go to Download Mennonite Mission Network's guidelines for anti-racist and anti-sexist communication booklet Shared Voices here: /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/21374162

Episode 03: Witness as With-ness 02/22/2021

Episode 03: Witness as With-ness Mennonite Mission Network executive director Mike Sherrill speaks about how the lessons and examples of the past informs how MMN approaches mission today. /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/18033509

Episode 02: Mistakes Were Made 02/22/2021

Episode 02: Mistakes Were Made Coming to terms with pain caused though mission: Katerina Friesen speaks on harm done to indigenous peoples by the Doctrine of Discovery, and its connection to mission. Resources and additional material mentioned in this episode: Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition: Land Acknowledgement: Paths for Peacemaking with Host Peoples: /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/18033479

Episode 01: Where Do We Start? 02/22/2021

Episode 01: Where Do We Start? Guests Lynda Hollinger-Janzen and Joe Sawatzky set the ground rules of why people might be wary or excited about the word, "mission." /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/18033446

Episode 00: MissionWary? Trailer 02/22/2021

Episode 00: MissionWary? Trailer Curious what 'MissionWary?' is all about? Start here! /episode/index/show/missionwary/id/18033323

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