Felicia Moore, New Beginnings
fmoore@mosaicmennonites.org
Pastor Jon Moore wrestled with the idea of becoming an ordained pastor. He started attending Bristol Mennonite Church (which became New Beginnings Community Church soon afterward) in May of 1986, through a relationship with Raymond Jackson, the congregation’s pastor at the time. Moore gave his first sermon in August that year and was later appointed as a chairperson to the administration council in December.
After some time at New Beginnings, Moore began to feel God calling him to participate in ministerial leadership trainings. In 1999, Pastor Moore returned to help the congregation, becoming interim pastorate. He was interested in ministry, but the idea of ordination seemed far-off .
After years of discerning, people from near and far came to celebrate and witness Pastor Jon Moore’s ordination on May 20, 2007. The special day started with an unusual morning worship at New Beginnings congregation, filled with a time of testimonies and “hallelujahs.†Everyone was invited to a special fellowship meal before the afternoon service.
In the afternoon, the sanctuary was crowded. The whole congregation was part of the service in some shape or form. Many chose to celebrate by presenting a praise dance or simply sharing a word of encouragement. Conference Minister, Ertell Whigham,
who has known Pastor Moore for years, officiated. He stated, “When you’re licensed, you do ministry. When you’re ordained you are ministry. The ministry is you.†Many present nodded and agreed with an “amen.†At the end of the service, Pastor Ertell asked the church council to surround Pastor Moore so that everyone could extend their arms in prayer. Gifts were presented to Pastor Moore and he was dressed in a white robe and given a new Bible. It was the first time in Franconia Conference that an African American was ordained by another black American pastor.
Pastor Moore believes that ordination means his life is now about ministry and shows a long-term commitment to the leadership at New Beginnings. He wants to be realistic with people but to show something different about God’s love. He says, “My hope is to touch lives, one at a time.â€
photo provided by Jon Moore
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.