Called to a ministry of reconciliation




All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.  - II Corinthians 5:18

Through alternative service workers in the Pax program, MCC began working in Nepal as part of the United Mission to Nepal more than 60 years ago.



When the earthquake struck Nepal five years ago, MCC was prepared to help. Our Nepal team had longstanding partnerships with local organizations. Being on the ground meant we were able to help provide emergency relief quickly, with the generous support of our constituency.

And we are still there. In the village of Nallu, in southern Lalitpur District, where I visited, 200 families are rebuilding their home thanks to the housing support they received from MCC.

In 2020, our centennial year, our scripture theme is from II Corinthians 5. God reconciled us to himself through Christ, God gave us the ministry of reconciliation.



From the early Pax workers to emergency and long-term earthquake response and rebuilding, to ongoing projects with partners in Nepal today, a ministry of reconciliation aptly describes MCC’s work.

In Biratnagar, in southeast Nepal, MCC is partnering with the BIC Welfare Society to train teachers with a child-friendly curriculum, to help farmers increase their crop yield and to provide vocational training for students.



I met one young woman who received vocational training to be a mid-wife. At age 24, she has already delivered more than 100 babies. She is the first person in her family to be employed away from her family’s farmland and she has already help two other family members pay for their education.

In Kathmandu, MCC is working with our partner KOSHISH to rescue and rehabilitate women suffering from mental illness to heal and reintegrate into their communities.

MCC is also working with partner Sanjal to empower young adults to address priority challenges they have identified in their own communities, like suicide, drug abuse and child marriages.

In 2020, as MCC celebrates its centennial, this is our work together. Through Christ, we are called to this ministry of reconciliation – yesterday, today and for another 100 years.

Ron Byler is executive director of MCC U.S.

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