by Danilo Sanchez
On Nov 1, 2024, the Mosaic Conference Intercultural team hosted the annual Renewing Nations and Generations gathering for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders within the conference. As in past years, it was a joyous event where leaders could network, enjoy fellowship, and be equipped for their roles. We were honored to have Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards as our keynote speaker, who shared wisdom from his book Might from the Margins.
The Conference-Related Ministry the Mennonite Heritage Center opened its doors to us and Executive Director Joel Horst Nofziger shared some Anabaptist history and highlighted the changing realities of Anabaptism. Participants were invited to explore the exhibit hall and visit the archives. Nofziger encouraged us to add artifacts from our congregations so that the stories of Anabaptism told at the center would include ours too.
Dr. Rashard Allen, of Neffsville (Lancaster, PA) Mennonite, led us in Spirit-filled worship that incorporated our various languages. Dr. Edwards inspired us to live boldly as diaspora people. Our bellies were happily filled with delicious Ethiopian food provided by the Horst Nofziger family. The night ended with a Spirit-led time of prayer.
The Origins of Renewing Nations and Generations
When Renewing Nations and Generations was formed in 2018, the number of BIPOC leaders with Mosaic was small. The gathering was created to carve out space from the dominant culture and discuss issues we were facing in our churches. We had aspirational goals of training the next generation of leaders and to work at belonging in the conference.
Our conversations and goals were not coming from a mindset of “us vs. them,” and yet we recognized that we all have biases, and those biases can do harm when we live and worship together as a conference. The gathering was a place where we felt connected and less alone, didn’t have to monitor our bodies or the volume of our voices, and could speak freely in our native language without constant explanations.
Meeting the Needs of Mosaic Leaders Today
Today, BIPOC leaders make up a larger percent of the leaders within Mosaic, but there is still a need to network, build relationships, and be equipped. While Mosaic has grown in its intercultural capacity, there is still more to learn and develop.
As our group looks to the future, the Intercultural team is pleased to have this BIPOC gathering be a key part of Vibrant Mosaic. Thanks to the Lily Endowment Inc., the Showalter Foundation, and Everence, this evening event has been expanded to a 2.5-day conference that will support our BIPOC leaders within Mosaic.
The expanded conference will take place every other year and has been renamed OASIS, inspired by John 4:14, reminding us that Jesus is our Living Water and in him we will never go thirsty. The first OASIS will take place in Tampa, FL from May 29 to June 1, 2025.
Danilo Sanchez
Danilo Sanchez is the Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation for Mosaic Conference. Danilo Sanchez lives in Allentown with his wife Mary and two daughters. He is a pastor at Ripple and leads in the areas of leadership development, discipleship, and teaching.
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.