Waterloo, ON – Mennonite business leaders gathered in Palm Springs, CA, recently to talk about Faith: Growth Through Failure and Success at the Mennonite Entrepreneurs Conference organized under the umbrella of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

The 40 people who attended the 28th annual conference of the Mennonite Entrepreneurs Group Feb. 28-March 2 learned how to view both failures and successes through a Christian lens and were encouraged to "fail forward" when they make mistakes.

Bible study leader Dr. Ervin Stutzman, vice president and seminary dean of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA, noted, "The concepts of success and failure are multi-dimensional – including personal, spiritual, social and financial values. As a compassionate judge, God sets the ultimate standards by which to measure failure and success. Our purpose or mission in life – whether in church or business – will significantly influence the standards by which we measure success and failure."

An important part of the conference is sharing by business and professional entrepreneurs. Business leader presenters included residential land developers Dennis and Rene Neumann of Abbotsford, BC, and Art and Leona DeFehr, East St. Paul, MB, of Palliser Furniture.

The Mennonite Entrepreneurs Group meets regularly to seek God's direction, support one another and encourage the integration of faith and business activities. For many years it was organized by the General Conference Mennonite Church, but now operates under the umbrella of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

The group's Sunday offering of $6,630 U.S. went to MEDA and Lithuania Christian College.

Next year's event will be Feb. 26-March 1 in Palm Springs. New attendees are welcome, especially young entrepreneurs.