Mennonite Church USA Leader Reflects on Participation in Ceasefire March and Grassroots Movement

Doug Luginbill, a member of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio, and conference minister of the Central District Conference, participated in the All God’s Children March for a Ceasefire organized by Mennonite Action. The 135-mile march, which took place from July 18 to 28, saw at least 25 participants initially, growing to 125 by the end. Luginbill joined the group on July 26 for the final 22 miles, culminating in a service of lament near the White House. He remained in Washington, D.C., through July 30, engaging in various actions coordinated by Mennonite Action and interfaith organizations.

Luginbill’s participation was driven by a deep concern for the loss of life and humanity experienced by Israeli and Palestinian families since October 7, 2023, and for decades prior. He was moved by personal stories of loss from both Jewish and Palestinian communities, prompting him to lend his voice to calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. The lyrics of John L. Bell’s song “If the war goes on” echoed in his mind, particularly the verse about the voiceless poor becoming refugees and the need to heed their pleas.

A second motivation for Luginbill was to observe and understand the motivations, coordination, and spirit of this new Mennonite grassroots movement. He sought to explore how such a rapid mobilization occurred and why so many Mennonites were choosing to participate. He described his expectations as a season of chaotic yet meaningful engagement with the boundaries of Mennonite theology regarding church-state separation.

Luginbill’s working definition of the church’s purpose is to celebrate and bear witness to the creative and transformative wisdom of God’s love. During his four days at the march, he encountered both celebration and witness-bearing among a diverse gathering of people. The first two nights were spent in fellowship with two non-Mennonite churches, offering him a sense of comfort and grounding. The small gatherings in a fellowship hall provided a space for shared experiences and mutual support.

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