Bennett, Ernest (1915-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Nov 30 p. 7

Birth date: 1915 Jan 22

text of obituary

Mission administrator, 94, served with passion, humility

Mennonite Mission Network staff

GOSHEN, Ind. — Ernest Bennett, who served with passion and humility as a leader of mission efforts in the former Mennonite Church for more than two decades, died Nov. 18 in Greencroft Healthcare. He was 94.

Bennett served with Mennonite Health Association, Mennonite Health Assembly and Mennonite Central Committee, but spent most of his career with Mennonite Board of Missions, a predecessor agency of Mennonite Mission Network, including 21 years as executive secretary.

Stanley Green, MMN executive director, said Bennett had a rare practical wisdom that he fused with a love for the church and a passion for God's mission.

Missiologist Wilbert Shenk, who directed MBM's overseas missions from 1965 to 1990, said Bennett's steadiness, judgment and trust in others made him a wonderful administrator during a time of major changes.

"He had a good feel for financial questions, especially good sense about structures and structuring, but he wasn't guided by a rigid ideology or theory," Shenk said. "He didn't protect old structures but was open to modifying and changing."

John Powell, MMB church relations associate and anti-racism coordinator, said Bennett hired him to help begin the Minorities Ministry Council in the late 1960s.

Powell noted Bennett's support of the council, especially at a time when race relations were at a critical and contentious point.