Mosaic Mennonite Conference (Lansdale, PA) has received a $10,000 charitable distribution from the Schowalter Foundation, and a $6,000 Mustard Seed Grant from the United Service Foundation to help fund the summer 2025 Ambassadors Youth Leadership Development initiative.
Ambassadors provides summer ministry experience to gifted young adults (ages 18-24) impacting their local communities. The initiative builds on a 20-year commitment by Mosaic (previously Franconia) Conference to develop young adult leaders through ministry experience.
For 10 weeks from early June to August, the Ambassadors will serve in their congregations’ Vacation Bible Schools and peace camps, at Conference-Related Ministry community centers, and more.
In 2025, 14 young adults are participating in the Ambassadors program (half and full time), hosted by their congregation or Conference-Related Ministry. Each year recently, the program has experienced considerable growth in applications and in total participants, and funding from Foundations and generous individuals has allowed Ambassadors to flourish.
The program seeks to cultivate young adults’ commitment to Christian service, foster opportunities for Anabaptist witness and spiritual growth in their local communities, and inspire young adults to develop their leadership skills.
Javier Márquez, Associate for Communications and Community Engagement for Colombia, is the Program Coordinator for Ambassadors this year, and a former participant of the Mennonite Central Committee youth leadership development initiative IVEP.
“I have also served as a church volunteer, so I understand that the Ambassadors are moved by a willing heart to serve as they learn and grow in connection with the community and with the Lord,” reflected Márquez. “I’m confident that we will experience all of that—and even more—this year.”
They receive guidance from their pastor or another supervisor and mentor to discuss goals, receive support, and reflect on their experiences. The Ambassadors receive a stipend for their impactful work.
In addition to the service opportunities, there are monthly virtual cohort gatherings for participants to build relationships, pray, and develop leadership skills. At the end of the program, there is a 2.5 day in-person retreat, which this year will take place in California.
Mosaic Conference has also recently received a $5,000 charitable distribution from the Schowalter Foundation to support the ongoing work accompanying immigrant congregations in navigating current realities.
“We are grateful for the generosity of both the Schowalter Foundation and the United Service Foundation, and their affirmation of the Conference’s initiatives,” stated Jennifer Svetlik, Director of Community Engagement. “Their support has allowed us to continue to expand the Ambassadors Youth Leadership Development opportunities again this year, as well as grow our capacity to respond to emergent needs among our congregations.”
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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.