The Conference Board supervises the business of the conference, including conference committees, and does strategic planning to ensure that the conference is maintaining alignment with its vision and following the lead of the Spirit into areas of growth and change.
Ken Burkholder
ModeratorDeep Run East
Ken has been serving as lead pastor at Deep Run East Mennonite Church since 2005. Previously, Ken worked in a local insurance business for eleven years. He attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary, graduating in 2005 with a Masters of Divinity degree. Ken began serving on the FMC Board in 2017. He has been a member of the FMC Ministerial Committee since 2010, serving as chair since 2017. Additionally, Ken has been serving on the Living Branches Board of Directors since 2008, and as chair of the Board Development Committee. Ken is married to Karen (Frankenfield) Burkholder, and has two young adult children – Alyssa and Justin. Ken and Karen live in Dublin. Ken enjoys being with family, cheering for the Phillies, reading, running, and eating at a variety of restaurants.
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Gwen Groff
Member-at-LargeBethany
Gwen Groff has served as pastor of Bethany Mennonite Church in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont since 1999. She grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and completed her undergraduate work at Eastern Mennonite College and Franklin & Marshall College. She later received a master’s degree in Theology and Pastoral Counseling from Lancaster Theological Seminary. While in seminary, Gwen interned with and then served part-time at Community Mennonite Church in Lancaster. Prior to pastoral ministry, Gwen held several roles with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), including working in peace education in the Akron, Pennsylvania office, and at the London Mennonite Center in the United Kingdom. She also served as MCC’s director of women’s concerns. Gwen is married to her husband Robert Buchan, and they have two children - Lilly and Andrew.
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Merlin Hartman
Member-at-LargeFranconia
Merlin Hartman lives in Harleysville, Pa, and has attended Franconia Mennonite Church since 1968, serving as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, elder, youth sponsor, and congregational board chair. He was also a member of the Penn View Christian School board for 5 years. Merlin worked at Hatfield Quality Meats for 40 years, working with people from nine different countries in his department. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are now retired and enjoy many hobbies, six grandchildren, and serving the Lord in different ways.
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Beny Krisbianto
Intercultural Committee ChairNations Worship
Beny was born in Indonesia, the country with the highest Muslim population in the world, but his parents were Christians. Aside from working for the Conference, Beny has also worked with the Nations Worship Centers in both Iowa and Philadelphia. To relax, Beny watches football and the highlights of soccer games. He came to the US by way of Iowa (go Hawkeyes!).
Beny appreciated the support churches in the Conference gave his congregation in 2010 when many in his congregations lost their jobs. Conference groups jumped in to help the congregation. Christopher Dock collected rice and noodles and the Salford and Souderton congregations also helped. “I couldn’t imagine if the congregation had tried to do that by themselves,” he said. He loves that Mennonite community is based in faithfulness to Christ. “I love the vision of the conference that wants to embrace multicultural vision,” he said. “As an immigrant congregation, we feel welcomed to be a part of the conference.”
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Steve Kriss
Executive MinisterPhiladelphia Praise Center
Stephen Kriss began working with Franconia Conference in 2005 when he focused on young leaders and new initiatives. Previously, he served as a pastor at Mennonite congregations in Somerset County, PA and Staten Island, NY. Steve's also worked in areas of communication, editing and public relations. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA, Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and from seminary at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
Steve lives in Northwest Philadelphia and is part of Philadelphia Praise Center. He works now with the Conference's credentialing processes, leadership development and serves as a leadership minister with a diverse array of congregations from South Philly to Vermont. Steve also teaches at Eastern Mennonite University at Lancaster and has taught at other colleges, universities and seminaries across Pennsylvania.Read Steve's profile here.
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Cory Longacre
Finance Committee ChairSouderton
Cory grew up at Swamp Mennonite Church, settling in after college at Souderton Mennonite Church with his wife Linda. He is a graduate of Dock Mennonite Academy, both the former Penn View Christian School and Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. He also received his Bachelors in Business Management from Eastern Mennonite University. Cory currently co-owns TNC Self Storage and is Fleet Operations Manager at Perkiomen Tours. Previously he spent 20 years with Farm & Home Oil Company where he started in sales, then after 4 years transitioned to management, moving his way to Vice President where he spent several years before ending his time with the company. Cory and Linda have three children: Olyvia, Davry and Zeke.
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Kiron Mateti
Member-at-LargePlains
Kiron grew up in Ohio as the son of immigrants from India shaped by Hindu religious perspectives and the pursuit of the life, liberty and happiness in the USA. While a student at Penn State University, he made a commitment to following Christ, in the footsteps of his mom's conversion and ongoing prayers. While in State College, he met his now wife Rachel and began to attend University Mennonite Church. He was active in student ministry on campus as well. Kiron has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and works in robotics development. He and Rachel along with their two daughters and his mother attend Plains Mennonite Church. They currently live in Telford, Pennsylvania. Kiron is committed to both a personal relationship with Christ while engaging the world through perspectives that extend both justice and peace.
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Angela Moyer Walter
Assistant ModeratorRipple
Angela Moyer is one of five co-pastors at Ripple in Allentown, where her ministry focuses on serving children and women. She is bi-vocational also working at as an occupational therapist for Good Shepherd Rehabilitation. Angela has been working as an occupational therapist since graduating from Elizabethtown College and accepting a post at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During that time she felt drawn to youth ministry and began working with the youth at her home church, Rockhill Mennonite, eventually serving as youth pastor. She completed her studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s Pennsylvania campus in 2012 and then joined the team at Ripple. Angela enjoys living in Allentown in the intentional community Zumé, in a neighborhood full of people from varied backgrounds and experiences. She brings to the board the perspectives and needs of Lehigh Valley congregations as they continue to grow.
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Jim Musselman
Zion
Jim Musselman was raised in Souderton, attending Zion Mennonite Church and graduating from Souderton Area High School, followed by Penn State Harrisburg with a concentration in Literature and Philosophy. Jim worked for Musselman Builders, Inc. beginning in 1979 until his retirement, and served as Moderator of Eastern District Conference from 2016 to 2019. Jim’s wife, Barbara, is a Registered Nurse and a certified holistic nurse and works at Abington Hospital Lansdale. Together they have a son, Matt, a daughter Kate, and two grandsons, Liam and Gray. Jim volunteers with Zion’s Table of Plenty and Bean Bag Project, as well as the Mennonite Historians of Eastern PA, and enjoys genealogy, history and travelling and camping with Barbara in their tear-drop camper.
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Janet Panning
Ministerial Committee ChairPlains
Janet Panning became a Christian at age 14 through an experience with Young Life Club, while attending an Episcopalian church. She met her husband Steve while both were studying at Michigan State University. Janet has a BS in Psychology and an MS in Counseling. After graduating from MSU, Janet was introduced to Mennonites through the Inter-Menno Program, spending a year in the Netherlands. Janet and Steve then spent much of the next 17 years working with MCC in Jamaica and Kentucky and raising two daughters, Megan and Molly. Janet is actively involved in Plains congregation (Hatfield, PA) where she serves as an elder. She is employed by Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health
in Maternal and Child Health.
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Yvonne Platts
Member-at-LargeNorristown New Life
Yvonne Platts was baptized at an early age in the Mennonite church and has grown up at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life. Yvonne serves within her congregation on the Enlarging Our Place in Gods World Leadership Team. Her primary work is with Family Services of Montgomery County as a Community Outreach Worker with the Norristown Violence Prevention Initiative, and she is also a member of Roots of Justice Inc. Yvonne is a graduate of The Center for Urban Theological Studies and holds a Master of Science in Restorative Practices and Youth and Family Counseling from The International Institute of Restorative Practices. She has a deep drive for peace and justice and brings her dedication to social justice to her work with Franconia Conference.
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Rodger Schmell
Member-at-LargeDeep Run West
Rodger Schmell is the pastor of Deep Run West Mennonite Church - the congregation in which he grew up. After High School, Rodger served with Youth With A Mission in several countries in Central America and the island of Grenada. Rodger also served three years at Crossroads Community Center in North Philadelphia and several summers at Camp Men-O-Lan. Rodger, and his wife Diana, served together with Youth With A Mission in Miami, Florida before coming to Deep Run West. Rodger worked for six years as the youth director before being called as the pastor. Rodger received an Associates degree from Eastern Mennonite University through the S.T.E.P. program at the EMU satellite campus in Lancaster. Rodger and Diana have three children and an unofficially adopted son. Rodger enjoys puzzles, cutting firewood and anything that makes him laugh.
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Kris Wint
Member-at-LargeFinland
Kris Wint is lead pastor at Finland Mennonite Church in Pennsburg, PA where he has been attending since 2001 and a member since 2003. Kris was raised with a blend of Methodist and Baptist perspectives but after living a lifestyle of what he calls “practical atheism,” believing in God but acting as if God didn’t exist, Kris reports being transformed by God’s love in an Anabaptist context. Kris was licensed toward ordination with Franconia Conference in 2012 while still a student at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. Kris also holds a degree in Business Management with a focus in Human Resources from Pennsylvania State University. He and his wife Ginger have four children and they enjoy playing with their “kiddos,” tending to their chickens and goat, being outside, playing sports, and listening to music.
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The Executive Committee works on behalf of the Board between meetings and also reviews and grants approval for Missional Operations Grant proposals.
Ken Burkholder
ModeratorDeep Run East
Ken has been serving as lead pastor at Deep Run East Mennonite Church since 2005. Previously, Ken worked in a local insurance business for eleven years. He attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary, graduating in 2005 with a Masters of Divinity degree. Ken began serving on the FMC Board in 2017. He has been a member of the FMC Ministerial Committee since 2010, serving as chair since 2017. Additionally, Ken has been serving on the Living Branches Board of Directors since 2008, and as chair of the Board Development Committee. Ken is married to Karen (Frankenfield) Burkholder, and has two young adult children – Alyssa and Justin. Ken and Karen live in Dublin. Ken enjoys being with family, cheering for the Phillies, reading, running, and eating at a variety of restaurants.
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Merlin Hartman
Member-at-LargeFranconia
Merlin Hartman lives in Harleysville, Pa, and has attended Franconia Mennonite Church since 1968, serving as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, elder, youth sponsor, and congregational board chair. He was also a member of the Penn View Christian School board for 5 years. Merlin worked at Hatfield Quality Meats for 40 years, working with people from nine different countries in his department. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are now retired and enjoy many hobbies, six grandchildren, and serving the Lord in different ways.
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Steve Kriss
Executive MinisterPhiladelphia Praise Center
Stephen Kriss began working with Franconia Conference in 2005 when he focused on young leaders and new initiatives. Previously, he served as a pastor at Mennonite congregations in Somerset County, PA and Staten Island, NY. Steve's also worked in areas of communication, editing and public relations. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA, Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and from seminary at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
Steve lives in Northwest Philadelphia and is part of Philadelphia Praise Center. He works now with the Conference's credentialing processes, leadership development and serves as a leadership minister with a diverse array of congregations from South Philly to Vermont. Steve also teaches at Eastern Mennonite University at Lancaster and has taught at other colleges, universities and seminaries across Pennsylvania.Read Steve's profile here.
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Cory Longacre
Finance Committee ChairSouderton
Cory grew up at Swamp Mennonite Church, settling in after college at Souderton Mennonite Church with his wife Linda. He is a graduate of Dock Mennonite Academy, both the former Penn View Christian School and Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. He also received his Bachelors in Business Management from Eastern Mennonite University. Cory currently co-owns TNC Self Storage and is Fleet Operations Manager at Perkiomen Tours. Previously he spent 20 years with Farm & Home Oil Company where he started in sales, then after 4 years transitioned to management, moving his way to Vice President where he spent several years before ending his time with the company. Cory and Linda have three children: Olyvia, Davry and Zeke.
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Angela Moyer Walter
Assistant ModeratorRipple
Angela Moyer is one of five co-pastors at Ripple in Allentown, where her ministry focuses on serving children and women. She is bi-vocational also working at as an occupational therapist for Good Shepherd Rehabilitation. Angela has been working as an occupational therapist since graduating from Elizabethtown College and accepting a post at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During that time she felt drawn to youth ministry and began working with the youth at her home church, Rockhill Mennonite, eventually serving as youth pastor. She completed her studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s Pennsylvania campus in 2012 and then joined the team at Ripple. Angela enjoys living in Allentown in the intentional community Zumé, in a neighborhood full of people from varied backgrounds and experiences. She brings to the board the perspectives and needs of Lehigh Valley congregations as they continue to grow.
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Jim Musselman
Zion
Jim Musselman was raised in Souderton, attending Zion Mennonite Church and graduating from Souderton Area High School, followed by Penn State Harrisburg with a concentration in Literature and Philosophy. Jim worked for Musselman Builders, Inc. beginning in 1979 until his retirement, and served as Moderator of Eastern District Conference from 2016 to 2019. Jim’s wife, Barbara, is a Registered Nurse and a certified holistic nurse and works at Abington Hospital Lansdale. Together they have a son, Matt, a daughter Kate, and two grandsons, Liam and Gray. Jim volunteers with Zion’s Table of Plenty and Bean Bag Project, as well as the Mennonite Historians of Eastern PA, and enjoys genealogy, history and travelling and camping with Barbara in their tear-drop camper.
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Mary Nitzsche
Associate Executive MinisterPerkasie
As Associate Executive Minister, Mary's primary role includes giving oversight of the credentialing process, connecting with women pastors, chaplains, retired pastors, and interim pastors, serving as Leadership Minister of two congregations, and representing the conference when Steve is not able as an "executive" presence is deemed helpful and important. Prior to serving in this role, Mary was chair of the Conference Board Ministerial Committee, and a member of the Conference Board and Executive Committee. She also has nine years of congregational pastoral ministry experience at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church and 12 years of conference ministry experience in Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In both congregational and conference ministry roles, Mary is inspired accompanying people in the ordinary experiences of life and observing the Spirit's transforming power in their lives. Mary is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College and taught elementary school for three years. She received her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William. For relaxation, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, hiking, knitting, and sewing. Read Mary's profile here.
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Yvonne Platts
Member-at-LargeNorristown New Life
Yvonne Platts was baptized at an early age in the Mennonite church and has grown up at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life. Yvonne serves within her congregation on the Enlarging Our Place in Gods World Leadership Team. Her primary work is with Family Services of Montgomery County as a Community Outreach Worker with the Norristown Violence Prevention Initiative, and she is also a member of Roots of Justice Inc. Yvonne is a graduate of The Center for Urban Theological Studies and holds a Master of Science in Restorative Practices and Youth and Family Counseling from The International Institute of Restorative Practices. She has a deep drive for peace and justice and brings her dedication to social justice to her work with Franconia Conference.
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The Finance Committee provides leadership on fiscal matters and develops the budget based upon the vision of the Conference.
John Goshow
Blooming Glen
John Goshow retired after 33 years of service and leadership at Penn Foundation, Sellersville, Pa, where he served as president and CEO for over a decade. John and his wife Janet live near Perkasie, Pa, and are the parents of three adult children. They attend Blooming Glen Mennonite Church where John is a Sunday school teacher. John has served on the Board of Directors of Mennonite Health Services Alliance and in local and regional associations for community building and behavioral healthcare. He brings experience with organizational leadership as well as a social work background, combined with years of service connected with the church.
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Cory Longacre
Finance Committee ChairSouderton
Cory grew up at Swamp Mennonite Church, settling in after college at Souderton Mennonite Church with his wife Linda. He is a graduate of Dock Mennonite Academy, both the former Penn View Christian School and Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. He also received his Bachelors in Business Management from Eastern Mennonite University. Cory currently co-owns TNC Self Storage and is Fleet Operations Manager at Perkiomen Tours. Previously he spent 20 years with Farm & Home Oil Company where he started in sales, then after 4 years transitioned to management, moving his way to Vice President where he spent several years before ending his time with the company. Cory and Linda have three children: Olyvia, Davry and Zeke.
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Conrad Martin
Director of Finance/FMC Properties Board Chief Operating OfficerBlooming Glen
Conrad Martin is responsible for the conference’s finances and oversees all conference-owned properties. Before working for the conference, Conrad spent time working abroad for Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Economic Development Associates in Tanzania and Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh. Conrad has been married to his wife, Josephine, since 2001. In his free time, Conrad enjoys gardening and golf. Proverbs 3:9 is meaningful to him because it fits the best with his personal mission statement. “Honor GOD with everything you own; Give him the first and the best.” (The Message)
Conrad appreciates the response he gets when he visits Conference congregations, “even when they learn I work for the conference,” he said. “I am excited that [the Conference] is becoming more intentional about reconnecting with congregations.” Read Conrad's profile here.
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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations.
Josh Meyer
Leadership Minister, Ministerial CommitteeFranconia
Josh Meyer is a Conference Leadership Minister and the pastor of Discipling and Preaching at Franconia Mennonite Church. He's also served on the conference's Faith and Life Commission, Ministerial Committee, and EDC/FMC Structure and Identity Task Force. In addition to these roles, Josh is an Adjunct Professor at Eastern University. He is particularly interested in helping congregations connect the good news of God's great love with younger generations and those without a faith background. He recently completed doctoral work at Missio Seminary focused on millennials & ministry. Having not grown up in the Mennonite Church, he is grateful for the way he's been grafted into the Conference and considers it an honor to listen, learn, and lead in this setting. Josh's wife, Kim, is a licensed Social Worker and together they have three children - Selah, Eve, and Paxton. Read Josh's profile here.
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Mary Nitzsche
Associate Executive MinisterPerkasie
As Associate Executive Minister, Mary's primary role includes giving oversight of the credentialing process, connecting with women pastors, chaplains, retired pastors, and interim pastors, serving as Leadership Minister of two congregations, and representing the conference when Steve is not able as an "executive" presence is deemed helpful and important. Prior to serving in this role, Mary was chair of the Conference Board Ministerial Committee, and a member of the Conference Board and Executive Committee. She also has nine years of congregational pastoral ministry experience at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church and 12 years of conference ministry experience in Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In both congregational and conference ministry roles, Mary is inspired accompanying people in the ordinary experiences of life and observing the Spirit's transforming power in their lives. Mary is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College and taught elementary school for three years. She received her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William. For relaxation, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, hiking, knitting, and sewing. Read Mary's profile here.
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Janet Panning
Ministerial Committee ChairPlains
Janet Panning became a Christian at age 14 through an experience with Young Life Club, while attending an Episcopalian church. She met her husband Steve while both were studying at Michigan State University. Janet has a BS in Psychology and an MS in Counseling. After graduating from MSU, Janet was introduced to Mennonites through the Inter-Menno Program, spending a year in the Netherlands. Janet and Steve then spent much of the next 17 years working with MCC in Jamaica and Kentucky and raising two daughters, Megan and Molly. Janet is actively involved in Plains congregation (Hatfield, PA) where she serves as an elder. She is employed by Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health
in Maternal and Child Health.
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The Credentials Committee interviews and recommends individuals for credentialing.
Mary Nitzsche
Associate Executive MinisterPerkasie
As Associate Executive Minister, Mary's primary role includes giving oversight of the credentialing process, connecting with women pastors, chaplains, retired pastors, and interim pastors, serving as Leadership Minister of two congregations, and representing the conference when Steve is not able as an "executive" presence is deemed helpful and important. Prior to serving in this role, Mary was chair of the Conference Board Ministerial Committee, and a member of the Conference Board and Executive Committee. She also has nine years of congregational pastoral ministry experience at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church and 12 years of conference ministry experience in Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In both congregational and conference ministry roles, Mary is inspired accompanying people in the ordinary experiences of life and observing the Spirit's transforming power in their lives. Mary is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College and taught elementary school for three years. She received her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William. For relaxation, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, hiking, knitting, and sewing. Read Mary's profile here.
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Aldo Siahaan
Leadership Minister, Credentials CommitteePhiladelphia Praise Center
Aldo is a Leadership Minister for three congregations, assisting churches to reach their vision and serving as a bridge between the conference and the congregation. Aldo currently serves on the credentials committee. He appreciates how the Conference is much more than a building—it’s like being a part of a big family, across the nation and across the globe. Aldo is also the pastor of Philadelphia Praise Center, a multi-ethnic church on the south side of the city. He is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and is married to Viviani Chandra. Read Aldo's profile here.
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Ertell Whigham
Norristown New Life
Ertell Whigham is the out-going executive minister of Franconia Mennonite Conference, a position he has held since 2011. Ertell is also a LEADership minister for several congregations, and represents Franconia Mennonite Conference at the Mennonite Church USA Constituency Leaders Council, and is the director of the Mennonite Health Services board. Previously, he was a conference minister for more than a decade, and pastored congregations in Reading, Philadelphia and Norristown. He remained a part of the pastoral team when his congregation in Norristown, Bethel Mennonite Church, joined with First Mennonite and Fuente de Salvación to form Nueva Vida Norristown New Life Mennonite Church, an intercultural, multilingual congregation.
Ertell grew up in Philadelphia, served with the Marines in the Vietnam War, and connected with Mennonites when he relocated to Reading as a Marine recruiter. It was here that he became a pacifist while having a devotion one morning. “I remember walking away from that and the Lord speaking to me and saying, “How can you tell someone about Jesus and want to take their life?”
Ertell and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 44 years. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. Ertell is passionate about music—particularly playing jazz saxophone—and his Rottweiler dog, Ramses.
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The Properties Board manages real estate on behalf of the Conference and contributes excess funds to support the ministry of the conference.
John Goshow
Blooming Glen
John Goshow retired after 33 years of service and leadership at Penn Foundation, Sellersville, Pa, where he served as president and CEO for over a decade. John and his wife Janet live near Perkasie, Pa, and are the parents of three adult children. They attend Blooming Glen Mennonite Church where John is a Sunday school teacher. John has served on the Board of Directors of Mennonite Health Services Alliance and in local and regional associations for community building and behavioral healthcare. He brings experience with organizational leadership as well as a social work background, combined with years of service connected with the church.
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Conrad Martin
Director of Finance/FMC Properties Board Chief Operating OfficerBlooming Glen
Conrad Martin is responsible for the conference’s finances and oversees all conference-owned properties. Before working for the conference, Conrad spent time working abroad for Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Economic Development Associates in Tanzania and Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh. Conrad has been married to his wife, Josephine, since 2001. In his free time, Conrad enjoys gardening and golf. Proverbs 3:9 is meaningful to him because it fits the best with his personal mission statement. “Honor GOD with everything you own; Give him the first and the best.” (The Message)
Conrad appreciates the response he gets when he visits Conference congregations, “even when they learn I work for the conference,” he said. “I am excited that [the Conference] is becoming more intentional about reconnecting with congregations.” Read Conrad's profile here.
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The Faith and Life Commission plans times for credentialed leaders within the Conference to study scripture with one another in order to build ties of friendship and support.
Hendy Matahelemual
Associate Minister for Community EngagementIndonesian Light
Hendy Matahelemual was born and grew up in the city of Bandung, Indonesia and graduated from Parahyangan Catholic University with a bachelor’s degree in Law. He worked in the music entertainment industry and a law office before being called to full-time ministry. He served as a pastor in Elshaddai Creative Community in Bandung before coming to the States. Hendy received a Master of Arts degree in Christian Leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2019. He serves with the Conference through his role as Associate Pastor at Philadelphia Praise Center. He believes with the power of the Holy Spirit; we can be Jesus witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Hendy lives in Philadelphia with his wife Marina and their three boys, Judah, Levi and Asher. He enjoys singing, playing guitar, and doing music collaboration in a band. He likes soccer, basketball, and watching movies. Read Hendy's profile here.
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Mary Nitzsche
Associate Executive MinisterPerkasie
As Associate Executive Minister, Mary's primary role includes giving oversight of the credentialing process, connecting with women pastors, chaplains, retired pastors, and interim pastors, serving as Leadership Minister of two congregations, and representing the conference when Steve is not able as an "executive" presence is deemed helpful and important. Prior to serving in this role, Mary was chair of the Conference Board Ministerial Committee, and a member of the Conference Board and Executive Committee. She also has nine years of congregational pastoral ministry experience at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church and 12 years of conference ministry experience in Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In both congregational and conference ministry roles, Mary is inspired accompanying people in the ordinary experiences of life and observing the Spirit's transforming power in their lives. Mary is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College and taught elementary school for three years. She received her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William. For relaxation, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, hiking, knitting, and sewing. Read Mary's profile here.
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The Nominating Committee vets and discerns new Conference Board and Committee members. They ensure that those who fill these roles are balanced in terms of the gender, racial, cultural, geographic, and historic diversity of the Conference, reflect the diverse giftings represented in the Conference, and exhibit a high level of intercultural capacity.
Marco Güete
Leadership MinisterCovenant Mennonite Fellowship
Marco Güete grew up in Colombia before emigrating to the United States in 1970. In 1978, he received his first pastorate at a small church and then spent time as an international salesperson and eventually opened two small stores in Queens, NY. In 1981, Marco enrolled in the Pastoral Ministry Program at Goshen College, and then Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he obtained a Master of Arts in Theology with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Since then, he has pastored at Community of Faith Mennonite Church, Chicago, IL, served as Hispanic Ministries Program Director of General Conference Mennonite Church. In 1996 served as Director of the Colombia Mennonite Seminary, Colombia, South America until he was called in 2000 as Associate Conference Minister of Western District Conference and South Central, then as Conference Minister for South East Mennonite Conference. Currently serves as Director of the Hispanic Ministries of Mennonite Eduction Agency and Leadership Minister of Mosaic Conference. Marco is married to Sandra, and they reside in Sarasota, FL.
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Beny Krisbianto
Intercultural Committee ChairNations Worship
Beny was born in Indonesia, the country with the highest Muslim population in the world, but his parents were Christians. Aside from working for the Conference, Beny has also worked with the Nations Worship Centers in both Iowa and Philadelphia. To relax, Beny watches football and the highlights of soccer games. He came to the US by way of Iowa (go Hawkeyes!).
Beny appreciated the support churches in the Conference gave his congregation in 2010 when many in his congregations lost their jobs. Conference groups jumped in to help the congregation. Christopher Dock collected rice and noodles and the Salford and Souderton congregations also helped. “I couldn’t imagine if the congregation had tried to do that by themselves,” he said. He loves that Mennonite community is based in faithfulness to Christ. “I love the vision of the conference that wants to embrace multicultural vision,” he said. “As an immigrant congregation, we feel welcomed to be a part of the conference.”
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Angela Moyer Walter
Assistant ModeratorRipple
Angela Moyer is one of five co-pastors at Ripple in Allentown, where her ministry focuses on serving children and women. She is bi-vocational also working at as an occupational therapist for Good Shepherd Rehabilitation. Angela has been working as an occupational therapist since graduating from Elizabethtown College and accepting a post at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During that time she felt drawn to youth ministry and began working with the youth at her home church, Rockhill Mennonite, eventually serving as youth pastor. She completed her studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s Pennsylvania campus in 2012 and then joined the team at Ripple. Angela enjoys living in Allentown in the intentional community Zumé, in a neighborhood full of people from varied backgrounds and experiences. She brings to the board the perspectives and needs of Lehigh Valley congregations as they continue to grow.
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Mary Nitzsche
Associate Executive MinisterPerkasie
As Associate Executive Minister, Mary's primary role includes giving oversight of the credentialing process, connecting with women pastors, chaplains, retired pastors, and interim pastors, serving as Leadership Minister of two congregations, and representing the conference when Steve is not able as an "executive" presence is deemed helpful and important. Prior to serving in this role, Mary was chair of the Conference Board Ministerial Committee, and a member of the Conference Board and Executive Committee. She also has nine years of congregational pastoral ministry experience at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church and 12 years of conference ministry experience in Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. In both congregational and conference ministry roles, Mary is inspired accompanying people in the ordinary experiences of life and observing the Spirit's transforming power in their lives. Mary is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College and taught elementary school for three years. She received her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William. For relaxation, Mary enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, hiking, knitting, and sewing. Read Mary's profile here.
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Janet Panning
Ministerial Committee ChairPlains
Janet Panning became a Christian at age 14 through an experience with Young Life Club, while attending an Episcopalian church. She met her husband Steve while both were studying at Michigan State University. Janet has a BS in Psychology and an MS in Counseling. After graduating from MSU, Janet was introduced to Mennonites through the Inter-Menno Program, spending a year in the Netherlands. Janet and Steve then spent much of the next 17 years working with MCC in Jamaica and Kentucky and raising two daughters, Megan and Molly. Janet is actively involved in Plains congregation (Hatfield, PA) where she serves as an elder. She is employed by Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health
in Maternal and Child Health.
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The Sistering Committee’s mission is to provide gatherings for women to share about their lives and to sister one another — and then to spread what they have learned to others. The term “sistering” refers to a practice in carpentry in which structural repairs are made by attaching new wood beams to weak joists to make the original stronger. All of us are strong at times and can help those who are weak; all of us find it difficult to make it on our own at times and need others to support us. Sistering is a gift that we embody as God’s women as we follow Jesus into the Church and the world. The Sistering Committee is a local ministry of Mennonite Women USA, for the women of Mosaic Mennonite Conference.
Marta Castillo
Leadership Minister of Intercultural FormationNorristown New Life
The daughter of Franconia Conference-rooted mission workers, Marta Castillo has been shaped by four of the linguistic cultures in the Conference, growing up in both Vietnam and Indonesia. While being a primary English speaker she lives in a bilingual family and community of English/Spanish speakers. Marta is committed to prayer along with active engagement of diverse neighborhoods with the message of Christ’s Good News. She is passionate about the intercultural work of unity in cultural diversity, antiracism, and racial reconciliation. Marta served on the pastoral team of Nueva Vida Norristown New Life from 2009 to 2017, and served five years on the conference board, two of those as assistant moderator. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite College with a major in Elementary Education and has a Certificate of Christian Ministry from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Marta lives in Norristown, PA, with her husband, Julio, and has three sons, Christian, Andres and Daniel and one granddaughter, Isabel. Read Marta's profile here.
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The Intercultural Committee provides leadership in the areas of undoing racism, sexism, and cultural bias, and in facilitating and supporting mutual transformation in intercultural contexts.
This committee is still being formed.
This post is also available in: 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) Việt Nam (Vietnamese) Español (Spanish) Indonesia (Indonesian) Kreol ayisyen (Creole)