Near Moundridge in McPherson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Challenge & Hope of the Future

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 5, 2011

1. The Challenge & Hope of the Future Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Mennonites came here because of their Anabaptist vision of the Christian faith and established Christian communities. Some wept as they said farewell to Russia and later, as they saw the endless miles of raw prairie, and encountered prairie fires, grasshoppers, droughts, floods, blizzards, or experienced personal tragedy. At times there were differences but also spiritual renewals. Through it all, they grew in Christian faith and worked diligently to achieve a better life.

What of the Future? Will we give highest priority to God as revealed in Jesus Christ or will we pursue self-centered interests and pleasures? Will Mennonites remain true to the Anabaptist vision of the Christian faith or become so acculturated as to be unidentifiable? Will a simple life style based on personal integrity, community well-being, and world brotherhood be perpetuated or will it disappear like a vapor trail? When faith erodes under the temptation of living in a changing world, will God, as revealed in Jesus Christ in the New Testament be repeatedly rediscovered?

The answer to these questions

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lies in the future and depends upon all of us. Our hope and prayer is that the distinctive Anabaptist emphasis in education, missions, peace, relief, and service will grow in His spirit so that our Lord's prayer may increasingly be fulfilled -- "Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."

"So faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
I Corinthians 13:13

Erected 1974 by The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association. (Marker Number VII.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Peace • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 12.601′ N, 97° 35.278′ W. Marker is near Moundridge, Kansas, in McPherson County. Marker is on Aztec Lane, 0.2 miles east of 18th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker and memorial are on the grounds of the Hopefield Mennonite Church, about four miles WNW of Moundridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moundridge KS 67107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swiss (Volhynian) Mennonite Memorial (here, next to this marker); The Swiss (Yolhynian) Mennonites (here, next to this marker); Anabaptist - Mennonite Faith & Life (here, next to

Swiss (Volhynian) Mennonite Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

2. Swiss (Volhynian) Mennonite Memorial

this marker); Centennial Memorial (here, next to this marker); Turkey Red Wheat (here, next to this marker); Growth of This Pioneer Group (here, next to this marker); English Oak (a few steps from this marker); Original Site of Hoffnungsfeld-Eden Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moundridge.

Also see . . . The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association. Association website homepage (Submitted on July 5, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Swiss (Volhynian) Mennonite Memorial

Looking southwest

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 383 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.