Two congregations in southeastern Pennsylvania have expressed their desire and commitment to join as full members of Franconia Mennonite Conference at the annual Conference Assembly to be held at Franconia Mennonite Church, Telford, PA on November 9 and 10. Nations Worship Center of Philadelphia and Peace Mennonite Church of East Greenville, Pa. are congregations that have been meeting for less than two years. Both congregations are led by Franconia Conference credentialed pastors.
These congregations share in common global commitments to Anabaptist values of discipleship, community and peace-building. After months of conversation, both express a desire and commitment to join with the historic conference in witness, worship and accountability. At this year’s annual Conference Assembly, at the recommendation of the Conference Board, the congregations are moving toward a public affirmation of membership.
Nations Worship Center is a primarily Indonesian-speaking congregation that has connections with current Franconia Conference congregation, Philadelphia Praise Center. Nations Worship pastor Beny Krisbianto is an experienced church-planter who is credentialed as a part of Philadelphia Praise Center’s pastoral team. The congregation has grown to 60 persons and worships in South Philadelphia.
Peace Mennonite Church of East Greenville is a restart of what was Shalom Mennonite congregation in rapidly growing upper Montgomery County, PA. The congregation is led by Pastor David Benner who was part of the pastoral team at Shalom. The church is seeking broader connections and accountability while embodying a neighborhood presence of Christ in East Greenville.
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View photos of Nations Worship Center
View photos of Peace Mennonite of East Greenville
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.