Prince of Peace Revival 

Approximately 130-140 people ventured out on a Tuesday evening (Nov. 9) to a "Prince of Peace Revival" held at Springdale Mennonite Church in Waynesboro, Virginia. After some rousing hymn singing from the amassed group, Myron Augsburger provided a spiritual and informative message concerning the Anabaptist view of Peacemaking. He began and finished with a focus on the centrality of Christ in our beliefs about peace. Everyone agreed that the hour passed quickly as he covered: some of the differences in biblical interpretation that causes varying views of peace; church/state issues; and multiple Bible verses and human stories that modeled the way of Peace.

Steve Pardini, a member of Springdale Mennonite, then provided his personal testimony of his pilgrimage to Christian pacifism, a journey that started during a PhD program in nuclear chemistry. His degree led to a potential career opportunity at a nuclear weapons research facility, when jobs in the chemistry field were scarce. However, he decided and explained at the end of this job interview that he could not accept the job, due to his beliefs. "It was at that moment," he stated, "that I became a pacifist."

At the end of the service, Myron Augsburger fielded questions from those who attended. Afterwards, 15 persons stayed for a discussion period that lasted well over another hour. "I have been waiting all of my life for what I heard this evening," stated a new Mennonite. He had his own moving story of fleeing to Canada as a conscientious objector in the Vietnam War and of still being rejected by his family. "This is so exciting to meet people who think like this," said a visitor from the broader community. A decision was made during this discussion to form an Augusta County Anabaptist Peace Fellowship that will meet regularly to support each other and discuss further ways to promote this Christ-like view of peace.

The Virginia Mennonite Conference Peace Coordinators, Dave and Krista Powell, encourage other churches and/or districts throughout the Conference to consider sponsoring similar events. This is one way of reaching out to our communities to teach the ways of the Prince of Peace, as well as encouraging our own membership toward a deeper commitment to a life of discipleship. If you would like further information on planning such an event, contact Dave and Krista Powell at (540) 941-3798, or at ecopow@ecollc.net.