The Mennonites are a Protestant Free Church, originally part of the Anabaptist movement of the 16th Century. The Anabaptists established churches based on the pattern of the church in the New Testament, i.e., the visible body of Christ composed of regenerated individuals. This had two dimensions: in its vertical relationship, the church was the body of Christ of which He was the living head; viewed horizontally, the church was a voluntary fellowship of believers. Entrance into the Christian faith was and is the result of a voluntary, conscious decision, and is usually followed by believer’s baptism. Anabaptists were scattered by persecution and later united under Menno Simons.
Those labeled as “Anabaptists” suffered the death penalty. To be known as “Mennonite” (after Menno Simons) was therefore a form of protection.
There are, at present, 1.6 million Mennonites worldwide and there is a wide diversity of worship, doctrine and traditions among Mennonites today. In Switzerland there are fourteen Mennonite church communities with a total of around 2300 members.
Mennonites emphasise their relationship to Jesus Christ, peacemaking, community and service. They practise the baptism of adult believers, and focus on discipleship. Faith should find expression in daily life and is always non-coercive.
The congregations are autonomous; they support the Swiss Mennonite Mission (SMM) in prayer and financially. Most SMM employees are appointed and sent out by the congregations.
Our Goals
We want to encourage and support both our local churches and Christians elsewhere in the world by enabling them to witness in their context.
We are committed to the Anabaptist Mennonite denomination which we believe can contribute a unique theological perspective to enrich other denominations. People, globally, are looking for guidance to solve vital issues and conflicts. The first Anabaptists had a lot of say in response to the burning questions within their society. They were guided by Jesus’ life and teaching as they sought ways to live out their faith on a daily basis. They felt called to live as ambassadors of love and as peacemakers. People of all races and social classes and genders are invited by God’s grace to belong to the people of God.
We are willing to work in partnership with others, both nationally and internationally, as long as we do not have to renounce our Christian witness. So far, our employees have been sent to work in local projects, lead by local organisations and churches.
The SMM-board and the new executive directors plan to expand their ministry with the support of the Swiss Mennonite congregations.
Our dream is to send out a new generation of mission workers to serve in the hotspots of this world, putting people in touch with the love of God and empowering them to take responsibility for the world and in the community in which they live, all the while advocating peace and justice.
