Heirs and Joint Heirs

By Paul D. Wiebe

Subjects: Histoire, Missions, History, Mennonite Brethren Church, Mennonite Brethren, Christian mission, Church history, India, Mennonites

Description: The story of the Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church in India ties in with the great stories of the church around the world and Indian civilization. It begins with German-speaking MB missionaries traveling to India either directly from Russia or, following the immigration to North America of many MBs, from North America. This is a story that teaches about "missionizing" and the consequences of "missionizing." The MB Church in India is centered just to the south of Hyderabad in the dry land region of Andhrah Pradesh, the Telugu language state of modern India. In 2006, it counted more than 100,000 baptized members in some 800 congregations. Paul Wiebe was born and reared in India by American MB missionaries. Over the course of his career as a professional sociologist and educator, he has returned to India many times for research, teaching, and administrative assignments.