by Javier Márquez
On February 28 and March 1, congregations from South Texas came together for a meaningful gathering including pastors, their spouses, and lay leaders. This meeting is one of the twice-yearly visits to accompany, listen to, and strengthen faith communities. On this occasion, Marco Güete, leadership minister for Mosaic Conference was present with the group.
There was a strong sense of closeness and fellowship, where leaders openly shared their experiences, challenges, and hopes. Prayer was a constant throughout the gathering, along with times of dialogue and shared fellowship meals.
One of the most special moments was the introduction of Pastor Mileton Viveros, who lives in Matamoros, Mexico, just south of the border with the U.S. Viveros is a Mennonite leader and graduate of SeBAH (the Hispanic Anabaptist Biblical Seminary) and IBA (the Anabaptist Biblical Institute), and he currently leads a ministry for children and youth in his home called “The Society of Tomorrow: Sanctuary for the Lord.” During the meeting, participants prayed for him and for his calling to establish a church in that place.
Reflecting on the experience, Viveros shared: “It was very pleasant. We attended as guests with my wife and children. It was beautiful to connect and share with the brothers and sisters, to hear what the churches are doing and the challenges they face. It was very strengthening, and it was a surprise to be invited to Mosaic Conference.”
As part of the gathering, Güete also shared an introduction to the Conference’s Priorities Guide, creating space for reflection on the path congregations are called to follow together in community. In addition, on Sunday he was invited to preach at Iglesia Menonita del Cordero (Brownsville, TX), where he shared a message based on the book of Ruth.
The gathered leaders expressed their gratitude for the visit with Mosaic Conference. This kind of accompaniment is deeply meaningful; it strengthens a sense of belonging and fellowship. “This kind of visit is very important, so we do not feel alone, but welcomed,” it was noted during the gathering.
These spaces continue to affirm the commitment to walk together as the church, sharing the mission, supporting one another, and discerning God’s work in each context.
Javier Márquez
Javier Márquez is Associate for Community Cultivation and Leadership Development. He is an Anabaptist Colombian pacifist and poet. He is based in Bogota, Colombia.
Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To contact Javier Márquez, please email jmarquez@mosaicmennonites.org.
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.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)