–Tyler Falk
GOSHEN, Ind. – Their lives have taken them to an antiviral research lab in Chicago, a university in Lithuania, impoverished countries around the world, violence-stricken communities in Colombia, an elementary school in Colorado and college sporting events. During Goshen College’s annual Homecoming celebration on Oct. 3-5, seven outstanding alumni will be honored for their service, achievements and contributions.
The 2008 Decade of Servant Leadership Award will be received by Janna Hunter-Bowman ’00, who currently resides in Bogotá, Colombia and is from Bally, Pa. The award, created in 2004, recognizes a Goshen College alumnus or alumna whose contributions and achievements in career, public or church service and volunteer activities early in post-graduate life – during or prior to their 10th class reunion year – are worthy of recognition.
Janna Hunter-Bowman
After Janna Hunter-Bowman, a member of Bally (Pa) Mennonite Church graduated from Goshen College in 2000 with a degree in anthropology and sociology she knew she wanted to do something different and meaningful. “I first learned of Colombian Mennonites through a letter sent to U.S. churches in 2000. It warned that, if passed, the bill before the U.S. Congress for ‘Plan Colombia’ (a military aid package) would make the work of Colombian peace builders more difficult and dangerous,” Hunter-Bowman said. “At the time I was longing for more radical peace action from the North American Mennonite church. Upon learning of this politically astute and action-oriented Mennonite community, I wanted to participate.”
In 2001, Hunter-Bowman moved to Bogotá, Colombia to work with Justapaz, a Christian Center for Justice, Peace and Nonviolent Action. She was active in developing a program that advocates public policy changes to promote peace in Colombia based in primary source documentation of human rights violations against churches. Along with this, she also documents stories of faith-based peace initiatives throughout Colombia. “The goal of the documentation program is to contribute to truth, justice and a nonviolent solution to the armed conflict,” Hunter-Bowman said. “The real-life stories are our foundation for the recommendations we make to governments – both here in Colombia and internationally.” Since she began working with Justapaz in 2001, she started a sister peace church program and has worked as the international education and advocacy program coordinator, in which she investigates the effects of U.S. policy on churches and civil society in general. “Janna’s documentation work with Justapaz is of the utmost significance in what remains one of the world’s most difficult conflicts,” said Goshen College Professor of Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies Joe Liechty ’78, who learned to know her during a visit to Columbia. “Janna does all her work with contagious joy, conviction and warmth. That she should be engaged at so deep a level in another society at so young an age is very impressive. She exudes GC’s core values.”
After spending six years in Colombia, she has fallen in love with the country and its people. “Colombia offers the world more than coffee and cocaine,” Hunter-Bowman said. “The enduring faithful who creatively confront the death-dealing powers to transform conflict and seek peace have much to teach us. They both invite and indict. They invite radical discipleship that gives hope; they indict the narratives of imperial power, lies and tepid Christianity.”
Hunter-Bowman lives in Colombia with her husband Jess and her 7-month-old daughter Amara, and attends Teusaquillo Mennonite Church.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.