Mennonite Central Committee

The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a relief organization founded by North American Mennonites. Its origins trace back to an emergency relief committee for national and international aid established by Dutch Mennonites in 1725. The MCC was initially formed to address famine in Russia.1

Mennonites themselves are a Protestant group that emerged from the Anabaptist movement during the 16th-century Reformation. They are named after Menno Simons, a Dutch priest who organized the efforts of moderate Anabaptist leaders. Mennonites are known for their commitment to pacifism and their emphasis on believers' baptism and confession of faith.1

The MCC's work reflects the Mennonite ethic of love and nonresistance, extending aid both domestically and internationally. This commitment to service has led Mennonites to engage more actively with the world, focusing on witness and service as ways of interacting with society.1