Jack & Irene Suderman

Bridge Builders · Global Educators · Cross-Cultural Nurturers · Peace Advocates

Jack and Irene have jointly dedicated more than 110 years to the work of the church. If you ask them why, they will speak of intercultural hospitality, bridge-building, contextually sensitive leadership development, biblical engagement, radical initiatives for peace, and empathetic ministry with the dispossessed and dying. They have lived in five countries and have provided leadership training in more than three dozen others.

Their time accompanying the church in Colombia during years of horrendous violence was both inspiring and challenging. Fluent in Spanish, they walked alongside local congregations and national leaders as they navigated profoundly difficult pastoral situations and participated in both formal and informal peace processes with all sides of the conflict.

For the past 37 years, they have also accompanied the churches in Cuba. Jack spent 14 years in various executive roles with Mennonite Church Canada, while Irene has dedicated more than 25 years to hospice and palliative-care ministry.

Now retired, Jack and Irene make their home in Kitchener, Ontario, where they remain active members of First Mennonite Church.