wfn.org | Youth video on forgiveness

[BethAH <BethAH@mbm.org>]

August 8, 2001
Beth Hawn
Mennonite Board of Missions
(219) 294-7523
<NEWS@MBM.org>

August 8, 2001

Mennonite Media releases new youth video on forgiveness

HARRISONBURG, Va. (MBM)  Mennonite Media announces the release
of a new video and study guide called Bridge to Forgiveness,
which is designed for youth/adolescent audiences.

The 13-minute video features Ted (Swartz) & Lee (Eshleman) in an
updated version of the well-known Bible story of Jacob and Esau.
I Brought the Goats finds the two brothers meeting for the
first time since the younger Jacob stole Esaus birthright as the
firstborn son.  Ted & Lee have performed together regularly for
various church organizations, nonprofit and civic groups,
colleges and universities since 1987.

Singer/pianist/composer Ken Medema performs an original song,
Healing of the Heart, written for the production.  Medema has
become a staple at Mennonite youth conventions since first
performing at Wichita 95.  The video also includes a segment with
youth offering their insights on what forgiveness means to them.
The questions for discussion center on forgiveness, primarily as
it relates to the context of Jacob and Esaus story and conflict
within the family.

Regina Shands Stoltzfus, associate pastor at Lee Heights
Community Church in Cleveland, Ohio, hosts Bridge to Forgiveness
and also wrote the accompanying Bible study.  The activities and
discussion questions were written by Sheri Hartzler, writer and
editor for Mennonite Media, and Kimberlee Greenawalt, conference
youth pastor for Virginia Mennonite Conference.

My hope is that it gets teenagers thinking about how forgiveness
relates to their normal, everyday lives, says Jerry Holsopple,
who produced and directed Bridge to Forgiveness.  Holsopple has
also produced videos for adults, children and adolescents,
including a video curriculum for youth, Shalom Lifestyles: Whole
People, Whole Earth. To order, call 800-999-3534.

Mennonite Media, a ministry of Mennonite Board of Missions,
produces electronic and public media for the general North
American audience through:

7 Third Way Cafi (www.thirdway.com), a ministry web site.
7 Public service radio and TV spots.
7 A syndicated newspaper column, Another Way.
7 Video products for churches and other users.

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Kent Fellenbaum       PHOTO AVAILABLE