Gemeindekomitee-Asociacón Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay
The Gemeindekomitee-Asociacón Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay (Congregational Coordinating Committee) was organized in 1966 as the Komitee für kirchliche Angelegenheiten für Paraguay (KfKfP, Committee for Church Affairs in Paraguay) but changed to the present name in 1968. It consists of the Konferenz der Mennonitisch Brüdergemeinden (Mennonite Brethren) congregations, the Vereinigung der Mennonitengemeinden (Mennonite Church, General Conference Mennonite) congregations, the Konferenz der Evangelischen Mennonitischen Brüderschaft von Südamerika (Evangelical Mennonite Brotherhood, Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches), and the Evangelische Mennonitische Gemeinde (Evangelical Mennonite Conference) of Tres Palmas Colony. The Sommerfelder and Bergthaler and other immigrants from Mexico had not yet joined the organization in 1987. All congregational and conference leaders were members of the committee. Meetings were held semi-annually to review work in progress and give counsel on difficult situations. The executive committee met more frequently. The committee was registered and has official legal status.
The following four areas were primary for the work of the committee: (1) Responsibility for the leper hospital (Centro de Salud Menonita, Kilometer 81). Ca. 1,600-1,700 patients with Hansen's disease were seen annually at the hospital station, plus an additional 1,000 patients in outlying clinics. All treatment and medication was free of charge. In addition some 12,000-14,000 patients with a variety of other ailments were helped annually by the medical staff at this station. A full-time chaplain worked diligently among all who came. Financially this work was supported by the Mennonite congregations in Paraguay, Mennonite Central Committee, the American Mission to Lepers, and other donors. (2) Christian (voluntary) service. This is promoted for the work at the leper hospital, the mental health facility in Filadelfia, retirement homes, children's homes, disaster service and other areas of need where the love of Jesus can find expression. (3) Peace. Through seminars, conferences, and special courses offered for youth and others in and through congregations the biblical doctrine of peace is taught and promoted. (4) Pastoral care of young people and others studying and working in Asunción.
| Author(s) | Dietrich Klassen |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 1987 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Klassen, Dietrich. "Gemeindekomitee-Asociacón Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1987. Web. 16 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Gemeindekomitee-Asociac%C3%B3n_Evang%C3%A9lica_Menonita_del_Paraguay&oldid=87742.
APA style
Klassen, Dietrich. (1987). Gemeindekomitee-Asociacón Evangélica Menonita del Paraguay. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 16 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Gemeindekomitee-Asociac%C3%B3n_Evang%C3%A9lica_Menonita_del_Paraguay&oldid=87742.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 325-326. All rights reserved.
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