I grew up in the small town of Plattsville, Ontario, and am a member of Nith Valley Mennonite Church, the church my parents pastored throughout my childhood in New Hamburg, Ontario.
As the son of two pastors, the church has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. However, this doesn’t mean I was always a willing participant in the church and the faith that surrounded me.
There are many stereotypes about pastors’ kids, and I certainly lived up to some of them. With a bit of a rebellious streak, I spent parts of my youth getting into trouble and engaging in activities my parents were definitely not fans of. Despite this, fortunately, there was always room for me to question and challenge beliefs and practices, giving me space to grow.
My faith journey has been shaped by ongoing conversations about how Mennonite beliefs influence our worldview and how we are called to interact with the world. These discussions took place within my family and the larger community. Many conversations were informal exchanges with elders, peers and mentors who helped shape my understanding of faith.
Through years of discussion and observation of how Mennonites engage with the world, I have developed a set of ideals that guide my interactions. Much of this stems from my belief in a loving and compassionate God who accepts all people regardless of background. This perspective has shaped my ability to see the good in individuals, even when it can be difficult to find in humanity as a whole. The ways we perceive and feel connected to God differ for each person, which is why fostering personal faith is so important. I have always felt closest to God in the presence of others, whether they are religious or not.
We encounter God in everyday moments of kindness and human connection, where we can live as Jesus called us. The biblical stories that resonate most with me are those in which Jesus is among the outcasts of society. It is easy to surround ourselves with people who think like us, but it is far more challenging to engage with those we don’t understand, disagree with or even despise. This discomfort can be frustrating and feel counterintuitive, but I believe it is what we are called to do as followers of Christ.
Jesus’s refusal to conform to the cultural and societal norms of his time, along with his critiques of religious and political elites, has profoundly influenced how I view the world and follow Christ. It is easy to take what we are told by authority figures as absolute truths, but weighing this against our own convictions is a difficult but important balance. As Christians, there may be times when living out our faith requires us to challenge aspects of authority and cultural norms.
I don’t consider myself a deeply spiritual person; I have always been filled with doubt and continue to find it difficult to believe in things I cannot perceive with my five senses. Because of this, I see my connection with God reflected in the relationships I build with the people and the places I experience. I feel most connected with God through small moments and interactions. My faith journey is one of constant learning, growth and questioning. I embrace the uncertainty that comes with it.
I have become more comfortable with my continuous struggle with my faith; my questions and doubts haven’t gone away as I’ve gotten older. I don’t see myself having the same intense faith many others do. My relationship with God may look different from theirs, but I believe that as Christians, we are all called to be like Christ. Striving to live out his teachings, no matter where I am in my faith journey, continues to be my goal. For the past year, I have been an intern for PeaceBuilders Community and Coffee for Peace, led by Dan and Joji Pantoja, in Davao City on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
Learning from Dan and Joji has been a great experience in many ways, but I have been especially inspired by how their faith guides their work. Seeing their commitment to the people they serve, their love for the community, and how that love is reciprocated has strengthened my own faith. Their work includes interfaith engagement with various communities, many of which are Muslim. Some of my closest friends in the Philippines are Muslim, and it has been incredibly insightful to learn about their perspectives. Experiences like this are what I truly look forward to in my faith journey.
I really enjoyed my work and am grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. I decided to do this internship after listening to Joji and other speakers from the organization in late 2023 when they spoke at the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada offices in Kitchener, Ontario. Their approach and goals align with many values and beliefs I hold, while their work also relates to my degree in political science.
While in the Philippines, I have helped perform various tasks, but most of my time has been focused on helping process coffee at a newly built facility in a small rural community similar to my own hometown. This part of the job was very enjoyable, both for the work and the people I lived with while there. People were so welcoming, making me feel part of the family.
This past year has been influential, especially in my faith journey. Seeing the love and kindness of others strengthens my faith. Seeing God work through people, especially in places where it is difficult to persevere, remains inspiring. The role of the church and faith in the lives of many people I interacted with in the Philippines has felt unique in many ways. I continue to learn from these experiences, giving me things I can take home and share with my own church community. I am somewhat unsure what my next steps will be, but I look forward to whatever comes next.
Benedikt Isert Bender’s term in the Philippines concluded in May. The internship was part of an MCEC initiative in partnership with Mennonite Church Canada International Witness, designed to provide young people with opportunities to work with International Witness partners.
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