Records of Mennonite Brethren mission work in Paraguay, 1931-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Multiply
Abstract:
Extent:
6 linear ft.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Records of Mennonite Brethren mission work in Paraguay. Fresno Pacific University Mennonite Library and Archives

Background

Scope and content:

Includes minutes, reports, correspondence, historical accounts, clippings, publications, news releases, financial reports and maps regarding the association of Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services with Licht den Indianern in mission work among Indian tribes of Paraguay.

Biographical / historical:

Mennonite missionary work among the Lengua Indians of Paraguay began in 1935, when representatives of the various Mennonite conferences in that country (including the Mennonite Brethren) founded the mission organization “Licht den Indianern'' (Light to the Indians). The first North American Mennonite Brethren missionaries to join this work were Bernard P. and Susanna Epp, who went to Paraguay in 1937. As early as 1943 Licht den Indianern officials requested that the Mennonite Brethren Board of Foreign Missions assume responsibility for the work, which it did in November of 1945. In 1946 the Paraguayan program was expanded to include work among the Chulupí Indians. Jacob H. and Helen Franz were the first North American Mennonite Brethren missionaries to work among these people. During the 1950s projects were undertaken among the Toba and Ayoreo (Moro) Indians as well. By the early 1970s Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services had begun to scale back its level of activity in Paraguay. Today Licht den Indianern is the joint project of the Mennonite churches in the Fernheim and Neuland colonies of Paraguay, though Mission/Services continues to send missionaries to assist the programs there. Prior to 1967 the Board of General Welfare and Public Relations (Record Group A260) shared responsibility for the Paraguay work with the Board of Foreign Missions. Many of the individuals sent to Paraguay from North America went out under the auspices of General Welfare. After the merger of these two boards in 1966, Mission/Services took full responsibility for the North American part of this program.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Missions -- Paraguay
Names:
Licht den Indianern

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research.

Preferred citation:

Records of Mennonite Brethren mission work in Paraguay. Fresno Pacific University Mennonite Library and Archives

Location of this collection:
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue
Fresno, CA 93702, US
Contact:
(559) 453-3437
hannah.keeney@fresno.edu
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