Who We Are:
The people who attend Kern Road Mennonite Church are teachers, doctors, business owners, stay-at-home parents – you name it. Some of us are currently unemployed or retired. We have quite a number of children and grandchildren, too. Some of us were born outside of the U.S. In 2012, nationalities from over 13 different countries were represented. In addition, many of us have traveled o
r lived in other areas of the globe for study, work, service/mission, family connections, or recreation. We are a people who try to think globally, multi-generationally, and environmentally. Our backgrounds
We grew up Catholic, unchurched, Baptist, Evangelical, Amish, Methodist, Independent, Presbyterian, Coptic Orthodox, Mennonite, blended, and among other traditions. We estimate that about 50 percent of current attenders were not raised in a Mennonite church, but as a congregation we resonate with and are integrally involved with Mennonite Church USA and Anabaptist Christian commitments. Many of our current attenders knew very little about Mennonites when they first came – so if that is your story, don't let it keep you away! We strive to celebrate and learn from the diversity we share as a congregation. Where we live
Many regular attenders live in close proximity to the church, on the south side of South Bend; however, many other neighborhoods within the city are also represented. Others live scattered throughout the surrounding regions - LaPorte, Granger, Lakeville, Elkhart, Goshen, Mishawaka, Osceola, Bristol, and points in between. A number of households drive from Michigan – Niles, Edwardsburg, Berrien Springs, and Buchannon. People are willing to drive some distance to be part of KRMC for various reasons, the most frequently-named being our commitment to following the teachings of Christ in daily life and our sense of community, as well as our family, peace, justice, and service commitments.
