Caribbean Light and Truth had its beginning in 1974 as a missionary endeavor of Salem Mennonite Church of Keota, Iowa. The purpose of the organization was to bring the gospel message to the people of the Caribbean Basin. The name is derived from Psalm 43:3: "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me." The first workers sent by the church in July 1974, were David and Nancy Stutzman and Daniel Stutzman, members of the Keota congregation. Daniel later married Judy Miller. Chosen by the church in Belize, Daniel was ordained to the ministry in 1976. As the number of believers increased, there was need for more ordained leaders, so in 1980 three native Belizean ministers were ordained. One more was ordained in 1987 and two in 1988. There were 14 ordained and lay leaders in 1987, with a total membership of 151. Services are held on a regular basis in 14 different areas. There are three schools organized and supported by Caribbean Light and Truth. To meet some legal requirements the organization has become incorporated in the state of Iowa as a nonprofit corporation, with the board of directors from the local congregation.

In 2003 there were 12 congregations with a total of 171 members.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 127. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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