Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

Mosaic Conference Board Update – January 2026

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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.

Report from the January 26, 2026, Board Meeting

New Conference Moderator Roy Williams (College Hill Mennonite [Tampa, FL]) opened the meeting with a welcome and by sharing Psalm 116: 1-2, a verse he learned shortly after becoming a Christian. Recognizing that many board members are new or in new roles, Williams invited board members to introduce themselves and reflect on that scripture.

The board welcomed Lindy Backues (Philadelphia [PA] Praise Center), new Chair of the Conference-Related Ministry Committee; Jenny Fujita (Blooming Glen [PA] Mennonite), at-large member; and Michael Howes (West Swamp Mennonite [Quakertown, PA]), new Chair of the Ministerial Committee, to their first board meeting.

Board members in new roles are Williams as Moderator; Janet Panning (Plains Mennonite [Hatfield, PA]) as Assistant Moderator; and Haroldo Nunes (Resplandece Mennonite [Pembroke Pines, FL and hybrid]) as Member at Large. Board members spent time getting to know each other better.

Strategic Plan Updates

The board reviewed the ongoing work on the strategic plan, including the use of the priorities guide and Vibrant Mosaic. Vibrant Mosaic is in its second year, with two active cohorts of congregations.

The priorities guide was released during the Fall Assembly weekend, and congregations are encouraged to use the lessons as discipleship opportunities in Bible studies, small groups or sermon series. Congregations who use them are encouraged to give feedback to the Priority Leadership Ministers who will continue to make updates in response.

Assembly 2026 Date

The board discussed possible dates for the 2026 annual Delegate Assembly. While a change in date or location may be possible in future years, in 2026, the board voted that the annual Delegate Assembly will be on November 7 in southeastern PA.

2026 Budget

After reviewing the proposed budget, the board unanimously approved the 2026 (February 1-January 31, 2027) budget of $1.4M. Included are increased calculations from grant contributions and stable contributions from congregations.

Sale of East Greenville, PA Building

The FMC Properties Board proposed moving toward the sale of the building where Bike and Sol operates. The board reviewed and unanimously approved the sale of the East Greenville building, former site of Peace Mennonite, to Bike and Sol at the price of $200,000.

Congregational Alignment and Sustainable Growth

During the executive minister’s report, board members were updated on and reflected on congregations that may vote to leave Mosaic Conference, as well as congregations currently exploring membership. Though no actions were taken, those present reflected on what sustainable growth looks like for Mosaic Conference.

Staff changes and partnership updates, including a recent partnership development with MennoMedia, were also shared.

The annual in-person Mosaic board retreat will take place March 27-28 in Lansdale, PA. In February, Williams and Panning will join credentialed leaders in Florida for their quarterly gathering.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

Leading Through Growth and Change in Mosaic

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by Kiron Mateti

Editor’s Note: We are deeply grateful to the Mosaic Mennonite Conference board members who concluded their terms at the end of 2025. This article is part of a short reflection series from these leaders on their service with the Mosaic board.

When I first agreed to join the Mosaic Mennonite Conference Board back in 2018, I wasn’t sure what I was stepping into. My wife, Rachel, had introduced me to Anabaptism, and I was still new to the Mennonite world. When fellow Plains Mennonite (Hatfield, PA) member Jim King’s term was ending, he asked if I would consider being nominated.

I was open to it, though I didn’t have experience serving in the leadership of an organized religious body. I wasn’t a pastor, didn’t grow up Christian, and didn’t come from an ethnic Mennonite background. I was a robotics engineer with a PhD. It was Executive Minister Stephen Kriss who helped me see that those differences would provide valuable perspectives on the board.

I’ve now served two terms, and as I finish my time on the board, I have been invited to reflect on how these years have shaped me.

One of the most meaningful experiences came early on, in 2019, when I traveled with a group of Mosaic leaders to Mexico City for the 60th anniversary celebration of Anabaptist churches there. I only spoke a little Spanish but the warmth, hospitality, and exuberant worship I encountered transcended language. I’ll never forget how joyfully people welcomed us. That trip helped root me in Mosaic’s intercultural identity as a lived, relational reality.

I’m especially proud to have been part of the merger between Franconia Conference and Eastern District. It felt, at the time, like such a hopeful act: two bodies aligned in mission choosing unity. I remember thinking, “If only more churches could do this.” That season remains one of the most rewarding parts of my board service.

Serving on the Pathway Steering Team was one of the most challenging experiences. We met for nearly two years, on Zoom and in person, and got to know each other fairly well. What we were tasked with, though, trying to craft recommendations about Mosaic’s future, including related to affiliation with Mennonite Church USA, amid such a diverse constituency, was very challenging. When there was miscommunication, it drained me. And now, the end result of discontinuing membership with Mennonite Church USA feels painful.

Consensus, deeply valued in Anabaptist tradition, can be both beautiful and excruciating. Sometimes it leads to clarity and sometimes it leads to paralysis. I often felt torn between honoring unity and honoring my own convictions.

Ambiguity, uncomfortable as it is, can also be a space of forbearance. The 2025 Centering Document revealed that tension—it satisfied neither edge fully, perhaps because living in unity requires us to live amid some ambiguity. Yet we also need to make space to talk about some of the polarizing issues of our time, like queer inclusion.

In six years, Mosaic has changed drastically. When I began, the board was far less culturally diverse. I had to adjust to Robert’s Rules of Order and a kind of formality that felt foreign to me. Over time, though, our leadership and membership has shifted, and a sense of relationality has increased.

We have gained many Spanish and Indonesian-speaking congregations and become more geographically diverse. At the same time, some predominantly white, theologically conservative churches have departed. Intercultural growth has been rapid, and even jarring for some, but I’ve witnessed genuine transformation. Watching more people of color step into leadership has changed power dynamics in healthy, necessary ways.

As I step off the board, my hopes for Mosaic are rooted in what I’ve already seen emerging: stronger regional collaboration like the MennoNights for youth in southeastern PA, more connection across geography and culture, and continued growth in intercultural transformation and immigrant justice. I hope we can find ways—whether through in-person relationships or creative uses of Zoom—to help congregations interact with others who are different from them. I hope we keep leaning into diversity as a gift rather than a threat.

And I hope we can agree, at minimum, to practice forbearance with each other. That may mean clarifying bylaws so congregations can live out their convictions, without guilt by association, and remain one body, moving toward Jesus together.

Kiron Mateti

Kiron Mateti attends Plains Mennonite Church (Hatfield, PA) and lives in Telford, PA with his wife Rachel, and kids.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

Citizens of the Celestial City, A Church Formed Across Borders

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By Zacharie René 

Editor’s Note: Citizens of the Celestial City was a recipient of a Mosaic Conference Church Plant grant in 2025.  

Across Mosaic Conference, new communities of faith often emerge not from buildings or strategic plans, but from Scripture, relationships, and a longing to follow Jesus faithfully. Citizens of the Celestial City (CCC) is an emerging Mennonite fellowship shaped by migration, resilience, and discipleship.

CCC did not begin with the intention of planting a church. Its roots stretch back more than a decade, to a small Bible club formed in Haiti in 2013. What started as a small gathering for children and youth to read Scripture and pray together, slowly expanded into multiple Bible classes across five different communities. Known as the Hope and Love Ministry, these gatherings combined biblical teaching with worship, life-skills learning, and moral formation, reflecting a holistic vision of Christian nurture.

Participants in the Hope and Love Summer Ministry in 2016. Photo courtesy of Zacharie Rene.
Participants in the Hope and Love Summer Ministry in 2016. Photo courtesy of Zacharie Rene.

As leaders walked closely with the youth, especially young teenage girls, deeper needs became visible. Many lived in precarious circumstances where even basic hygiene items were inaccessible. In a context where help often came with harmful expectations, these vulnerabilities exposed young people to serious risks. In response, the ministry began providing monthly hygiene kits and practical support such as replacing worn sandals. These acts were not seen as only charity but as pastoral care through concrete Gospel-grounded expressions of dignity and love.

Over time, the children grew up. Some remained in Haiti; others migrated to Brazil, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. Life scattered them across borders, but the spiritual bonds remained.

In 2023, after leaving Haiti, I remained in contact with several former participants. One former member reached out and asked if we could continue Bible study online. That simple request reopened a door I did not realize God had been preparing for years. I began leading online Bible studies again, and soon felt prompted to invite others former members, friends, believers seeking depth, and people longing for community.

What emerged has become more than a Bible study. It is a spiritual home for a dispersed Haitian people longing for Scripture, connection, and shepherding amid isolation, displacement, and vulnerability.

Today, Citizens of the Celestial City has participants in Haiti and across the diaspora. Many face disabilities, social marginalization, economic hardship, or immigration uncertainty. These realities have deeply shaped the community’s identity and practices.

Because of distance and accessibility challenges, gathering online is not a convenience—it is a necessity. Teaching and worship are conducted in Haitian Creole, ensuring clarity, dignity, and full participation. CCC is not built around performance or location, but around presence, mutual care, and faithfulness to Christ.

The community’s name reflects this theological grounding. Citizens of the Celestial City affirms that before belonging to any nation on earth, we belong to the Kingdom of God. It expresses the conviction that the Church is not merely an institution, but a people shaped by heaven’s values while living faithfully on earth.

Many members have experienced loss, displacement, and exclusion, sometimes even within traditional church settings. CCC emerged as a space where people are not reduced to their limitations, but recognized as bearers of God’s image. Faith, resilience, and communal survival are deeply embedded in Haitian culture and naturally align with Anabaptist commitments to shared life, mutual aid, and discipleship.

Worship within CCC follows a Mennonite spirit and rhythm. Gatherings include simple, reflective singing, Scripture reading, teaching, prayer, and open sharing. There is room for silence, testimony, and communal discernment. Worship is unhurried and relational. Participants are invited to pray, reflect, and speak as the Spirit leads.

Though the community is not physically together, members experience God’s presence through consistency, prayer, and pastoral follow-up. To strengthen connection beyond weekly gatherings, I have launched an online radio ministry and mobile app. The radio offers teaching, encouragement, worship, and Scripture throughout the week, serving as a spiritual companion that sustains communal life beyond scheduled gatherings.

Our challenges include limited resources, health concerns, immigration uncertainty, and the complexities of serving a largely disabled and marginalized population. We navigate these challenges through patience, flexibility, prayer, and shared leadership. We move slowly, listening carefully, refusing to build faster than people can grow.

My encounter with the Mennonite church through Mosaic Mennonite Conference deeply shaped this ministry. Values such as peace, community, simplicity, mutual care, and discipleship are not theoretical, they are lived realities in CCC.

Several pastors now participate in our studies and have expressed a desire to transform their own congregations into Mennonite-style communities. I have begun working with some of them separately, accompanying them in discernment and formation as they await further guidance and structure.

Our hope is not rapid expansion, but faithful formation. We dream of a rooted, healed, and discipled Haitian Mennonite community, locally and across the diaspora. We envision accessible spiritual formation, leadership development, and communities shaped by peace and mutual responsibility.

We invite the Mosaic Conference to pray for:

  • wisdom and discernment in leadership,
  • spiritual and emotional healing for members,
  • provision for those living with disability and instability,
  • unity across distance,
  • and faithfulness as we continue to listen for God’s leading.

Citizens of the Celestial City exists because God met a scattered people through a simple question: Can we keep studying the Word together? From that question, a church was born that bears witness to the truth of Ephesians 2:19: “So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.”

Zacharie René

Zacharie René is a pastor, biblical teacher, and Christian formation leader committed to the Gospel, discipleship, and spiritual and communal transformation within an Anabaptist perspective. He is a member of Lakeview Mennonite in Susquehana, PA. Married to Roodeline Jean Louis and the father of four children, he views family as a gift from God and a vital place of faithfulness, perseverance, and prayer.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

Grants Strengthen Mosaic Conference’s Strategic Vision

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Mosaic Mennonite Conference recently received three charitable distributions from the Schowalter Foundation ($5,000 each), and a $5,000 grant from the Fransen Family Foundation. These funds are providing important momentum for several priorities named in Mosaic’s strategic plan.

One area supported by the Schowalter Foundation distributions is Restorative Circles for Reconciliation, an initiative aligned with the Mosaic strategic plan pillars of Relationship Building and Reconciliation. Maati Yvonne, a trained Circle Process facilitator and member of Mosaic’s Executive Committee, will lead restorative circles with board and committee members, staff, congregations, and at equipping events. This work seeks to repair past harms, center marginalized voices, and foster trust across Mosaic’s diverse communities. Through intentional storytelling about historical and present-day harms, the Circle Process supports Mosaic’s commitment to intercultural transformation and will also be used to navigate conflict and tension at interpersonal, congregational, and conference-wide levels.

Another area receiving a charitable distribution is expanded support and resourcing for immigrant congregations. This funding will strengthen accompaniment, responsive trainings, pastoral support groups, and congregational partnerships. Immigrant-majority congregations make up nearly half of Mosaic’s membership, and many are facing increased challenges due to shifting political and social realities. These resources aim to support resilience, leadership, and mutual care across the conference.

A third Schowalter-supported focus is Pastoral Leadership Development in India and Colombia, which will provide renewal and leadership development opportunities for under-resourced pastors. Retreats will emphasize spiritual renewal, leadership formation, and Anabaptist community building.

In addition, a grant from the Fransen Family Foundation will support the 2026 cohort of Mosaic Ambassadors, a summer ministry program for gifted young adults ages 18–24. Ambassadors offers hands-on ministry experience that impacts local communities while nurturing emerging leaders. The program builds on more than 20 years of Mosaic Conference’s commitment (formerly Franconia Conference) to developing young adult leaders through meaningful ministry engagement.

For 10 weeks from early June to August, Ambassadors serve in their congregations’ Vacation Bible Schools and peace camps, at Conference-Related Ministry community centers, and more. In 2025, 14 young adults participated in the Ambassadors program hosted by their congregation or Conference-Related Ministry. In recent years, the program has seen significant growth in applications and participation, made possible through foundation support and the generosity of individual donors.

“We are deeply grateful to the Schowalter Foundation and the Fransen Family Foundation for their partnership in this work,” said Jennifer Svetlik, Director of Community Engagement for Mosaic Mennonite Conference.

“These gifts help us live more fully into our strategic commitments to reconciliation, intercultural relationship building, leadership development, and cultivating the next generation of leaders for the church and the world.”

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

Many Pieces, One Mosaic

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by Rodger Schmell

Editor’s Note: We are deeply grateful to the Mosaic Mennonite Conference board members who concluded their terms at the end of 2025. This article is part of a short reflection series from these leaders on their service with the Mosaic board. 

When the Franconia and Eastern District (EDC) conferences began the process of coming together, some EDC board members were invited to serve on the new Mosaic Board. That’s how I found myself as an at-large member six years ago when Mosaic was in the process of being formed.

Looking back, I’m most proud of helping the two conferences unite. The merger wasn’t initiated from the top down; it was more like two people traveling side by side and realizing they’d fallen in love along the way. After years of working and worshiping near each other, it felt natural, and deeply satisfying, to come together under one umbrella.

For me, it was also personal. I pastor Deep Run West Mennonite (Perkasie, PA) and Deep Run East is just across the road. Years ago, there was a sense of them as the “old Mennonites” and us the “new Mennonites.” To see those divisions dissolve and to stand together again felt like brothers reuniting after years apart.

One of the most rewarding parts of serving on the board has been building relationships across the conference. I already knew several people from the Franconia side, but after the merger we became like family. The challenge came later, especially after Mennonite Church USA’s 2022 resolution that encouraged Mosaic to reexamine our denominational affiliation. It’s been a season of tension for those who wanted to stay, those who wanted to leave, and for the various reasons that have been part of congregations’ stances on affiliation.

At first, I thought the affiliation questions was mainly about human sexuality, but over time that has faded into the background as other issues took center stage. My biggest concern is that we have talked around our theological differences related to human sexuality, but not through them. I believe that will be Mosaic’s next challenge, to face those conversations honestly together.

My decision to step down after two terms comes partly from personal reasons. Life is full; my father passed away, my mother needs more care, and I’m serving as executor for their estate.

But it’s also time for new voices at the table. Mosaic is intentional about board representation reflecting the demographics of our congregations. We need all perspectives represented in leadership.

During my time on the board, we’ve welcomed many new congregations, from Florida, including Homestead Mennonite where I once attended, to California, and beyond. A number of BIPOC congregations have joined. Their energy and perspectives have added flavor to the Mosaic “stew.” Some larger congregations have left, and some smaller ones have joined—but to see that Mosaic is now about 50% BIPOC is remarkable. And to see that diversity reflected on the Board itself has been meaningful.

One of my favorite memories was our 2020 board retreat in the Poconos, where we gathered outdoors (because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic) to craft Mosaic’s mission and vision statements. We brainstormed and listened well to each other. These statements were not something any one person could’ve come up with on their own. Each person brought their identities, backgrounds, and perspectives to the table. When we reached unanimous agreement, it felt sacred and reminded me of the creation story: “God saw all that was made, and it was good.”

Mosaic Board retreat at the Poconos in 2020.

Through all the ups and downs, God has always been faithful. God shows up in different ways for different people, but always consistent with God’s character, creativity, and care for the flock.

If my view of leadership has changed, it’s in realizing that Anabaptists sometimes lean too far toward being “nice.” Good leadership needs balance, with neither authoritarian nor hands-off approaches. We often may err too much on the side of grace; we should also be ready to speak truth in love. People deserve clarity as well as compassion.

As I leave the board, my prayer for Mosaic is simple: that Mosaic can have unity amid our diversity. My encouragement to all within Mosaic is this: trust the process and the people God has called to lead. Keep asking your questions, keep engaging, and keep trusting that God is still at work among us. Many people see only a small piece of the work being done; there’s so much that happens behind the scenes through prayer, fasting, and faithful conversation.

Rodger Schmell

Rodger Schmell is the pastor of Deep Run West Mennonite (Perkasie, PA).

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

New Congregations Join the Vibrant Mosaic Program

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Mosaic Conference is pleased to announce the launch of the second cohort of the Vibrant Mosaic Program, bringing together a new group of congregations for a dynamic year of formation, growth, and intercultural learning. The 2026 cohort includes pastoral and lay leaders from:

  • College Hill Mennonite (Tampa, FL)
  • Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Jemaat Kristen Indonesian Anugerah/JKIA (Sierra Madre, CA)
  • Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA)

These congregations join the Vibrant Mosaic learning community in a journey grounded in Mosaic Conference’s formational, intercultural, and missional priorities with classes, shared experiences, and experiments designed to strengthen congregational health, deepen relationships, and expand capacity for ministry.

Cohort two will be offered in English and Indonesian, and congregations were selected for their geographic, historic, theological, and cultural diversity. They will gather in person for the first time in late January in Tampa, Florida as part of the Vibrant Relationships class, focused on intercultural transformation. In April, they will gather in the Philadelphia, PA area for the in-person portion of the Vibrant Identity class, focused on Anabaptist and Mosaic identity.

In the second half of 2026, the congregations, accompanied by their Leadership Minister, will each have an opportunity to discern and propose a congregational experiment that integrates learnings from those two courses and allows the entire congregation to experience and learn together.

In 2026, Danilo Sanchez, Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation, becomes Director of Vibrant Mosaic, and Jennifer Svetlik, Director of Community Engagement, becomes Associate Director. Other members of the team are Rose Bender Cook, Leadership Minister for Formation, as course administrator, and Jaye Lindo, Hospitality Coordinator.

Continuing Momentum: First Cohort Enters Second Year

The first Vibrant Mosaic cohort, launched in 2025, continues into its second year of the program. The inaugural congregations, Peña de Horeb (Philadelphia, PA); Ambler (PA) Mennonite; Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite; Faith Chapel (Los Angeles, CA); and Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación (Miami, FL), all committed to the second year of Vibrant Mosaic.

Participants from that first cohort experienced meaningful growth through intentional friendship-building across cultures and stories shared in deep relational contexts—emphasizing that differences can enrich the shared journey of faith. Such experiences have helped lay a foundation for ongoing collaboration and discipleship.

In the second year, participants take the Vibrant Witness class, focused on missional transformation. The in-person time in this course will take place in California and Pennsylvania in March. The Vibrant Discipleship class, focused on formation, will offer in-person learning in Vermont in May.

“We are so excited to start the second year of Vibrant Mosaic,” shares Sanchez. “We continue to see the value and transformation these classes have on our congregations. Leaders are experiencing the different realities across the conference and building relationships that strengthen our Mosaic identity.”

What Vibrant Mosaic Offers

With generous support from a Thriving Congregations grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the Vibrant Mosaic Program supports congregations and their leaders with:

  • Learning Communities: A cohort model where leaders from each congregation take part in up to four immersive classes over a one-to-two-year period.
  • Congregational Experiments: Congregationally rooted projects funded with micro-grants (up to $5,000 per year) to help put learning into practice.
  • Support for Leaders of Color: Specialized gatherings and intentional space for leaders from diverse backgrounds to build networks, receive formation, and cast vision. The next Oasis retreat will be held in 2027.

For more information or to learn how your congregation can participate in a future Vibrant Mosaic cohort, visit the Vibrant Mosaic page or contact the program team.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

“Here I Am, Lord”: The Call Story of Zacharie René

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From an early age, God has been writing his story in my life. I grew up in Haiti, where my mother taught me the Word of God and instilled in me a love for prayer and Scripture. At the age of twelve, in 1996, I fell into a deep coma caused by an epidemic that tragically claimed the lives of hundreds of children. After several days between life and death, I woke up with a renewed conviction: my life belonged to Jesus. That experience marked me deeply, and I promised to follow Jesus faithfully. On July 20, 2002, at eighteen, I was baptized and publicly declared my commitment to Christ.

From that point on, my passion for the Gospel grew. At age 13, my mother had invited me to lead family prayers and share reflections. Without realizing it, God was already shaping me into a servant leader. I discovered joy in teaching, sharing the Scriptures, and encouraging others in their faith.

For the past 23 years, I have dedicated my life to ministry. I have walked from village to village to serve others, tell the Good News, and encourage families. I have learned that God’s call is often confirmed not by extraordinary signs but by daily obedience, perseverance, and a love that never tires of serving others.

A verse that has guided me throughout my journey is Isaiah 6:8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Each season has been an opportunity to respond again to that call, sometimes with trembling, sometimes with joy, but always with the assurance that God equips those he sends.

Now as I join the Mennonite church through Mosaic Conference, I see God’s faithfulness unfolding in new ways. What draws me to the Mennonite tradition is its strong emphasis on biblical teaching, community living, and peace witness. I believe evangelism is not only about preaching but about embodying Christ’s love in community, sharing life, supporting one another, and serving the world together.

Zacharie René anointed at the 2025 Assembly by his Leadership Minister, Stephen Kriss.

My call has not always been easy. But each trial has become a testimony of God’s provision. I have learned that ministry is not about my strength but about God’s grace. My family, especially my wife and children, has been a constant source of encouragement, reminding me that ministry begins at home.

As I look toward the future, my prayer is to be a bridgebuilder in the body of Christ. I want to see churches working interdependently, communities transformed by love, and young people discovering their worth in Christ. My call is not just to preach but to live out the Good News in every sphere of life.

I also carry a vision for my country of origin, Haiti, a nation torn and divided, longing for healing and renewal. My desire is to see Mennonite beliefs firmly established there, bringing with it the values of peace, reconciliation, and discipleship. I believe this witness can spark a great revival among the evangelical sector and serve as a testimony of God’s power to rebuild what is broken.

In the words of the Apostle Paul: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10). It is by grace that I stand today, ready to continue saying, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

Zacharie René

Zacharie René is a pastor, biblical teacher, and Christian formation leader committed to the Gospel, discipleship, and spiritual and communal transformation within an Anabaptist perspective. He is a member of Lakeview Mennonite in Susquehana, PA. Married to Roodeline Jean Louis and the father of four children, he views family as a gift from God and a vital place of faithfulness, perseverance, and prayer.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.   

Ripple Community Inc. Celebrates 10 Years of Connections

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Conference-Related Ministries Creating Community

by Charlene Smalls

The words of 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 came to life on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Franklin Park in Allentown, PA: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

This spirit of unity was the heartbeat of Ripple Community Inc (RCI)’s annual Party in the Park, which kicked off RCI’s 10-year anniversary. It was both a celebration and a living testament to the power of community. The event brought staff, neighbors, and friends together outside the familiar walls of the community center, celebrating a decade of building relationships that change lives.

The atmosphere was filled with a sense of belonging and family. It was the essence of what founder and Executive Director Sherri Binder has worked to create. Binder, who is driven by the belief that everyone deserves long-term, affordable housing, has made connection the cornerstone of RCI’s mission. Together, she and her team address homelessness and the intertwined challenges of food insecurity and isolation. This day of laughter and music reflected their tireless dedication and deep compassion.

Children laughed as the fire department cooled them off with a refreshing spray, while a local ice cream vendor, drawn in by the energy, stayed until his truck was empty. Guests painted faces, played a lively game of Nine Square, and crafted colorful bouquets to gift to loved ones. At the craft station, anticipation was high for RCI’s upcoming art gallery, where attendees’ creations will soon adorn the community center walls.

Partner organizations, the mayor of Allentown, and state representatives also joined the celebration. Their presence affirmed that the impact of this gathering and RCI’s work goes far beyond the neighborhood. The recognition underscored what the day so beautifully demonstrated: Ripple Community Inc. is a vital, thriving community that unites many members into one caring body.

RCI leaders with local elected officials at the Party in the Park.

The celebration was a vivid reminder of what can be built when longing, belonging, and dedication form the foundation of community. Every smile, every song, every shared moment was a thread in the living tapestry of connection—one body, rejoicing together.

In November, a new art exhibition opened in the Center, titled “The Art of Neighboring,” which is also part of the 10-year anniversary celebration.

Charlene Smalls

Charlene Smalls is co-pastor of Ripple Church in Allentown, PA.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.