“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
   because he has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
   and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19

MCC U.S. anti-oppression efforts seek to support the liberation of all people from racism, sexism and other forms of oppression. Our program services include workshops, seminars, webinars, consultations and organizational evaluations. Our work includes:

  • Dismantling systemic and institutional racism 
  • Resisting sexism, domestic violence and pornography
  • Supporting those dealing with pain and suffering caused by oppression
  • Encouraging those seeking to address internalized racist superiority

MCC’s work reflects our belief that true security is built through friendship, mutuality, diplomacy, economic development and equitable sharing of global resources – not through military power.

"The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. Our soul waits for the LORD ... our help and shield." (Psalm 33:17, 20, NRSV)

In addition to working for peace and nonviolence in countries around the world, MCC:

  • Advocates for reducing U.S. military expenditures and spending more on life-giving programs
  • Helps Christians explore what it means to be peacemakers in a dominant military power
  • Offers information about conscientious objection, counseling for people in the military or those thinking about joining, and resources for congregations wanting to engage with military veterans
  • Provides resources and stories on Christians who witness for peace by redirecting their war tax dollars
  • Asks people to advocate against the use of cluster bombs, which can remain deadly for decades after war

Help us explore ways to build a worldwide community that is peaceful and secure, recognizing that in our weakness, God's true strength is revealed. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Progress in the fight against HIV is happening. Fewer mothers living with HIV are passing the virus to their unborn and newborn children. Greater access to antiretroviral medications mean that children, teens and adults who have HIV live longer and stronger than ever before. Yet more must be done. Therefore, MCC continues to work with churches, schools and community groups who have a heart for people threatened by the disease.

Prevention and education
Prevention is key to stopping the spread of HIV. Adults and youth spread prevention messages to those who live around them. HIV education also decreases the stigma and discrimination that many living with HIV still face in their communities. Nutritious food, water and hygiene are essential for preventing illness and building a healthy immune system.  

Care and support
Testing, counseling and treatment are just a few of the vital services provided by MCC partners. They also help the most vulnerable people start and succeed in small business and agriculture so they can support their families. Support groups are a significant source of community and hope for people living with HIV.

Conflict transformation training
Through MCC, thousands of people around the world get training in conflict transformation, including workshops and month-long advanced peacebuilding training. Participants learn how to resolve conflicts, prevent violence, provide trauma healing and address injustices. When they return home, they act for peace and train others in their communities.

Peace clubs
Children and teenagers around the world learn to recognize conflict and use nonviolent ways to resolve it through peace clubs in their schools. Through stories and role plays they learn about respect, self-esteem, people who are different from them and creative ideas for responding to conflict and injustice.

Peace education
Peace education focuses on how our faith leads us to build peace rather than join our nation’s pursuit of war and militarism and society’s reliance on violence. We provide resources and speakers to broaden people’s understanding of peace and encourage advocacy with government leaders.

Family violence and sexual abuse exist in our homes or churches. To help individuals, families and congregations address these issues:

  • MCC U.S. offers printed resources that are particularly useful to churches working to prevent abuse and for individuals who are coping with abuse or want to help a friend.
  • MCC East Coast offers domestic violence trainings to churches.
  • West Coast MCC provides legal assistance for undocumented immigrants who have been abused or assaulted, helping them to get legal residency.
  • MCC U.S. is a member of the “We Will Speak Out” coalition, which organizes people to work for an end to sexual and gender-based violence.

MCC works in many areas of the world where wars, floods, sexual assault, famine and constant oppression cause severe emotional stress and suffering. Along with responding to physical needs for food, water and shelter, MCC addresses emotional and spiritual needs caused by trauma.

Through MCC’s trauma healing training and the expertise of our partners, people gain emotional strength, resilience, renewed energy, hope and better relationships. Trauma healing includes:

  • Expressing emotions and having them validated by leaders and others who have suffered the same trauma.
  • Understanding how our brains physiologically process trauma.
  • Recognizing the connection between unhealed trauma and cycles of violence.
  • Supporting communities that have experienced trauma as they identify traditions and customs in their own cultures that help them to become emotionally and spiritually stronger.
  • Identifying and addressing unjust systems that caused or contributed to the trauma.

MCC works with partner organizations, churches and individuals, encouraging and teaching them how to prevent violence and to transform conflict into peace.

Some examples of our work include:

Nigeria: Interfaith teams of peacebuilders and mediators work together throughout Plateau State, jumping into conflict situations either to resolve differences or to contain the conflict that is often charged with religion or ethnicity.

Indonesia: An interfaith peace project intentionally brings together people of different faiths, including Indonesian Mennonites, to break down communication barriers and stereotypes. These relationships have contributed to a reduction in violence and significantly increased interfaith cooperation in the city of Solo.

Lebanon: At the end of a peacebuilding workshop, youth leaders of all the political parties in Lebanon signed a document agreeing not to use violence to advance their parties’ agendas. This agreement is especially pertinent as Lebanon reacts to armed conflict in neighboring Syria.

Colombia: Colombian Anabaptist and Protestant churches and related organizations are working toward a long-term reconciliation between armed groups and their victims.

MCC U.S. can be your resource for restorative justice education. By request we offer:

  • Training for educators who want to implement restorative justice practices in their schools or universities
  • Training people to facilitate dialogue relating to crimes of severe violence
  • Conflict transformation work with congregations dealing with contentious issues
  • Networking with other practitioners of restorative justice

Contact Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MCC U.S. restorative justice coordinator, for information.

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matthew 25:35, NRSV)

From Old Testament exhortations to the words of Christ, the Bible calls us to reach out to strangers, loving and welcoming newcomers.

MCC in the U.S. helps to educate about immigration issues; advocates for sensible, humane immigration laws; works to build peace in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border; and provides documentation services to help immigrants navigate the complex immigration system.