Enriching
Lives, Together
“It is the ideal place to be,” said David. “God put several writing projects on my heart and I find I don’t waste any time, but can focus without interruption.”
T
he campus of Landis Homes has always been home to residents who love to write. Many residents have
authored articles and books, with genres ranging from children and youth, to historical fiction and non-fiction, to theology, Christian literature and biography.
Two residents are currently writing their life stories. Barbara Reed has written articles for multiple publications. This will be her first book. David W. Shenk has authored many books, primarily on Christian-Muslim relations. He is now writing his autobiography.
“I grew up in Africa with missionary parents. I remember being interested in writing as a boy of 10 in Tanzania,” said David.
He returned to the United States to attend Lancaster Mennonite High School and Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. Following his university graduation, he married Grace Witmer, whom he first met in high school.
In their first years of marriage, David and Grace were directing an alternative service program for conscientious objectors in New York City when they sensed a desire to serve in Somalia. Before long, they accepted an assignment and moved there. “It was over this time period that I felt God strongly calling my heart to engage with Muslims,” said David. “Jesus Christ is a peacemaker, and I have spent my life trying to interpret and share that peace in a Muslim context for a Muslim audience.”
Together, David and Grace lived and served in many places, with their longest tenures in Somalia and Kenya. David’s gift of teaching comparative religion was often primary in those years. He became aware that in both
Christianity and Islam, the written text is central to one’s faith and beliefs.
“Both faith groups are interested in finding truth and in discussing reconciliation and forgiveness,” said David. “I have always found my Muslim friends to be the easiest people to open their doors and welcome me. I have never had a refusal to an invitation for dialogue. It is needed and wonderful when Muslims and Christians can meet together as people of peace.”
David has authored over twenty books including A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue, Christian. Muslim. Friend. and Surprises of the Christian Way. “I have met with Muslims as well as people who profess no faith in many places around the world. I am known in some circles as ‘that guy who likes Muslims and who is a follower of Jesus,’” David said with a chuckle. “God is the key to all the doors that open.”
In recent years, David has continued to work locally and travel broadly pursuing interfaith dialogue. He and Grace moved to a Landis Homes cottage in 2018. “It is the ideal place to be,” said David. “God put several writing projects on my heart, and I find I don’t waste any time but can focus without interruption.”
“Starting about a year ago, I began writing my memoirs,” he said.. “I am looking back on my 80 years of life and of following my initial call to speak to others about the peace of Jesus. It is quite an undertaking, and I have a team of persons, who are helping to critique the writing as I go. Grace is especially helpful.”
David concluded by saying, “I am amazed every day that God continues to use me to speak peace.”
– Continued on page 26
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