Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

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.   

Broken but Not Destroyed

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The Ordination of Kevin Opett

by Noel Santiago

On a rainy afternoon on Oct. 11, 2025, at The Church of the Good Samaritans (Holland, PA), friends, close church family members, colleagues, and guests gathered to witness the ordination of Kevin Opett. Despite gray skies, the room was warm with anticipation, celebrating God’s transformative work in a life once broken and now made whole.

Leadership Minister Noel Santiago officiates.

Opett’s journey is a testament to God’s redeeming power. Born in Abington, PA, in 1971 and raised in a blended family, Opett moved frequently along the East Coast as his father served in the Navy. As a teenager, an invitation to a youth Bible study led him to encounter Jesus in a deeply personal way, sparking a lifelong commitment to follow Him. He earned a B.A. in Secondary Education and Biblical Studies from Mid-America Christian University in 1995 and later a Master of Divinity from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA.

During a trip to Germany in 2000, Kevin met Petra, who would become his steadfast partner in life and ministry. Ordained by the International Baptist Convention in 2004, he served with other pastors in Stuttgart, Germany for 10 years before returning to the U.S. to pursue a master’s degree. After being sent back into vocational ministry in 2021 by his home church, Oxford Circle Mennonite in Philadelphia, he received licensing and ordination through the Mosaic Mennonite Conference, serving in a congregation in New Jersey before becoming the pastor of Good Samaritans in June 2024.

The message for the afternoon was delivered by a fellow seminarian and best friend, Rev. David Grimes, based on 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 and titled “A Faithful Calling.” Grimes highlighted how God calls and commissions us not because we are perfect, but because God’s power is revealed through our weaknesses. The rainy afternoon seemed almost symbolic, echoing the truth that light shines brightest when clouds gather.

Rev. David Grimes preached during the ordination. Photo by Noel Santiago.

Colleagues who have walked alongside Opett shared heartfelt reflections of fights and tears, lessons learned, and bonds deepened through shared challenges. Their stories echoed the message that God calls, shapes, and commissions through every circumstance, even the painful and messy ones.

For Petra, the ordination marked a milestone in finding a home in a community that embraces her and the family she supports. Ministry, the afternoon made clear, is never an individual journey but a shared one, where the love and support of family and friends amplify God’s calling.

Tamira Good offered a reflection. Photo by Noel Santiago.
A fellowship meal followed the ordination. Photo by Noel Santiago.

As Opett received the laying on of hands and the charge to serve, the room resonated with hope and affirmation. He is a man once broken, now walking boldly in God’s calling, a living testimony that in God’s hands, brokenness is never the end.

Opett’s story and the afternoon’s message remind us all: we may be broken, but through God’s faithfulness, we are not destroyed.

Noel Santiago

Noel Santiago is the Leadership Minister for Missional Transformation for Mosaic Conference.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To contact Noel Santiago, please email nsantiago@mosaicmennonites.org.

Listening for the Spirit as Mosaic Conference’s Moderator

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by Angela Moyer Walter

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 joined the Franconia Mennonite Conference (FMC) Board in 2015, shortly after moving to Allentown, PA, I couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead. I remember just a couple years later beginning to meet in Quakertown with Eastern District Conference (EDC) leaders to be intentional about leading the reconciliation process well. It was there that I met (current Board secretary) Jim Musselman (Zion Mennonite [Souderton, PA]) for the first time. It’s hard to believe that it was only in 2017!

One of the clearest memories I carry is the joy of the unanimous vote to merge FMC and EDC. When are Mennonites ever unanimous?! It felt like the movement of the Spirit, affirming the good, hard, and thorough work that had gone into forming what would become Mosaic Mennonite Conference. When the name Mosaic was chosen, it felt right, even obvious. It captured both our diversity and our hope, though we knew the work ahead to live into the name fully and honestly. 

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, political upheaval, and increased polarization. We had thought the big news of 2020 would be relocating the Conference offices on Dock Mennonite Academy’s campus! That move turned out to be a footnote in a year of stormy seas. Mosaic was a young, fragile boat trying to stay afloat in a tumultuous ocean.

And yet, there was life in our congregations, our Conference-Related Ministries, Partners in Ministry, and our staff. Talking about the chaos of that time could be overwhelming, but when we talked about Mosaic, there was always hope. God was moving among us.

God has provided Mosaic with many talented board members, gifted committee members, and terrific staff and executives in Stephen Kriss and Marta Castillo. God has continued to call pastors and leaders to be credentialed and equipped, and the work has flourished.

Now, Mosaic is five years old, and we are a little sturdier even when the world around us seems overwhelming. We have developed a vision, mission, strategic plan, centering identity document, and a guide to share our priorities. Though the work ahead is significant, the way is made by walking. I trust that God will remain faithful, just as she has been up to this point. 

Moyer Walter with Roy Williams, current moderator, at Fall Delegate Assembly 2025. 

Something I’ve learned over these years on the board is to listen more deeply. Not only to what people say, but to the lived experiences behind their perspectives. Intercultural work must be prioritized, because it is difficult and it can be easy to abandon. Yet, scripture doesn’t give us the option to ignore it. Revelation 7:9 shows all peoples gathered before the throne. Why is it so hard for the Church to reflect that reality? It’s slow, humbling work, but when our posture is right, God multiplies our efforts. This is what we are experiencing in Mosaic, and it is becoming contagious.

Intercultural work can stir fears about what we might lose, but it’s really an invitation to mutual transformation—to become more like Christ and more fully the people God created us to be. It embraces what we love about our cultures and adds to them, rather than erasing them. 

Board retreat at Conference-Related Ministry Bethany Birches Camp in Vermont, May 2024. 

Traveling to visit leaders and congregations across the Mosaic spectrum has shaped me profoundly. I often return to César García’s challenge in The Courage to Love: Can we love and respect across differences? Can we value diversity not as a threat, but as a fuller witness to the unity of Christ? Can we lay down the impulse for power and control toward uniformity and instead embrace curiosity? I hope Mosaic continues to wrestle with these questions and trusts the Spirit to guide and lead us. Let’s be people of The Way, not a destination.   

Meghan Larissa Good’s sermon at the 2025 Fall Delegate Assembly captured this spirit beautifully. She reminded us that Anabaptism has so much good to offer, and we must practice humility and get out of our own way so that others can share their gifts within this story. Together we are be transformed into the likeness of Christ. God is already doing this this among us—will we not perceive and embrace it? 

Ministry among disinvested urban communities, people with disabilities or trauma, and children has grounded me during my time on the board. There is more to do so these ministries—and others across Mosaic—can fully thrive. But I see hope, and I see mutual transformation. 

God’s Kingdom is an upside-down kin-dom, already and not yet. It has been an incredible privilege to serve, to learn, and to lead alongside such faithful people. I step away now with gratitude, excitement, and trust. I am excited for Roy Williams to become Moderator and for all of Mosaic to know him better. It has been a joy to work alongside him for years. 

God is up to something in Mosaic. I look forward to watching, praying, and cheering from a new vantage point. 

Angela Moyer Walter

Angela Moyer Walter is former Moderator of Mosaic Conference, Co-pastor at Ripple Church in Allentown, PA, and an occupational therapist at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation. She enjoys long summer evenings with family and friends and watching the Philadelphia Phillies.

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.   

The Beautiful Completion of Alpha Mennonite

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There’s a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, CEB

Sunday, December 7, 2025, marked the final worship gathering at Alpha (NJ) Mennonite Church. During 2025, the congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary and spent time in discernment about their identity and calling, guided by Pastor Charlene Smalls. Through prayer, conversation, and honest reflection, the congregation made the courageous, faith-filled decision to bring its journey to a close. For Smalls, this was less an ending than a “beautiful completion.”

Founded in 1975 by Henry and Ida Swartley, Alpha Mennonite began as a mission in a small New Jersey community. The first gatherings were held in a former Hungarian Presbyterian church.  

By the mid-1980s, nearly 125 people gathered regularly for worship. The congregation drew believers from varied traditions who found unity in their love for Jesus Christ and their shared commitment to practicing Mennonite faith in community. Sunday School, multigenerational worship, fellowship, and service shaped the rhythm of church life. 

In recent years, as members aged and numbers shifted, the congregation navigated change, most recently without a permanent pastor. Smalls joined them for a season of transition while they asked a tender and honest question: When is it time to trust God with our past and release what we have known for the sake of what the Spirit may yet do? 

In their final weeks, the church studied the Gospel of John with emphasis on relationships. The Sunday before the last service, longtime participant Barbara Bajkowski asked to be baptized and officially welcomed as a member before the congregation’s closure. Leadership Minister Gary Alloway joined Smalls in celebrating her baptism. 

Baptism of long-time attendee Barbara Bajkowski who wanted to be counted as a member of Alpha and be baptized before the doors closed.

Those gathered in early December came to mourn, to remember, and to give thanks for decades of shared faith. The final worship service included times of storytelling, a historical reflection from Jim Lee, a “cloud of witnesses” remembrance led by Bajkowski, a Litany of Remembrance and Release, and a ritual of placing stones inscribed with scripture. 

The service was deeply emotional. Member Nancy Lee later reflected that during the time of worship she recalled “forty years of memories… Bible study, worship, shared sadness and celebration, and always a lot of love.”  

Jim Lee, Jr. found the day to be “a moment of closure, which was not a failure, but a celebration of every life the church has touched since 1975.” He was touched by those who were present on the final Sunday who hadn’t participated with Alpha in recent years but offered their support.  

Bajkowski reflected on the countless ways the congregation had encouraged her, recalling even a simple moment of being cheered on to try a zip line at a retreat as a symbol of Alpha’s steady support. 

Pastor Smalls expressed gratitude for “the opportunity to serve Alpha and to walk with them as they discerned what a new beginning looks like after years of faithful service.” 

Alpha Mennonite Church has completed its season faithfully. Its legacy continues in the lives it shaped, the relationships it nurtured, and the seeds of faith it planted—beautifully, and in God’s time. 

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.   

Watching Together in Bristol

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by Gary Alloway

Last February, I had breakfast with my friend Don, who is in his 70’s, a life-long Bristolian, and a like-minded soul. Don expressed that he had always wanted to start a movie club in Bristol. So we began dreaming. As contemplative Christians, we thought it would be fun to show movies with spiritual themes and have discussion afterwards. We pulled in our Mosaic Summer Ambassador Lincoln to help us build this ministry. Thus, the Bristol Film Club was born. 

But then a weird thing happened. We planned our first business meeting and none of our Christian friends showed up. But our neighbors did. And our planning team became a diverse and eclectic mix of people from all walks of life. Then the event took off.  

We’ve had a full event every month. In September, we had a successful potluck as we watched Big Night, a movie about an Italian restaurant. In October, we partnered with the Bristol Ghost Tour, showed a short horror film made by a Bristol High School student, and watched Night of the Living Dead.  The room was full of life and energy.   

I’ve struggled to articulate whether this is a church event or even to know for sure what God is up to in this. But I can say, six months in, Bristol Film Club has opened more relational channels than just about any church event I have created. My sense is that it is because I am building this with people, not for them.  

We are working together. I am not trying to get them to come to my thing. It is our thing. Defensiveness is down and the sense of friendship is up. Some on our team would have little to do with church but know far more about film than I do. More often than not, I follow their lead and learn from them. Suddenly, we are next to each other. And suddenly, we are friends.   

Photos courtesy of Gary Alloway

The recent Christmas season reminds us that Jesus is ‘Immanuel,’ God with us. Despite being God, Jesus eats with sinners. He walks with the disciples. Jesus is with those in need, ready to break bread with them. He walks with people into the Kingdom of God, rather than waiting for them to show up.

Ultimately, I don’t know what God is doing with Bristol Film Club. But I have cherished the opportunity to work with my neighbors and create something beautiful together. I can’t help but feel that we are walking towards God together. 

Gary Alloway

Gary Alloway is a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference. He is also pastor and church planter of Redemption Church of Bristol (PA). Gary serves with his wife, Susan, and his children who deeply love pretzel dogs from the Bristol Amish Market. Gary has a passion for Philadelphia sports, crossword puzzles, and for seeing broken people connect to the amazing love of God.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To contact Gary Alloway, please email galloway@mosaicmennonites.org.

Ministerial Committee Update – December 2025

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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. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct. 

Report from the December 3, 2025, Ministerial Committee Meeting   

Committee Actions

Credentialing 

Transfers of Ordained Pastors 

  • Rigoberto Negrón – Iglesia Menonita del Cordero (Brownsville, TX)
  • Maria Alma Solis – Iglesia Menonita Fuente de Agua Viva (Los Fresnos, TX) 
  • Jose Alejo Solis – Iglesia Menonita Fuente de Agua Viva (Los Fresnos, TX) 
  • John Holsey – Providence Mennonite Church (Collegeville, PA) 

Updates, Discussions, and Upcoming Conversations  

Credentialing Requests in Process – There are currently 15 leaders in process for licensing towards ordination, licensing for special ministry, transfers, and ordination. 

Credentialing Procedure Update – An overview was given of the recent changes and updates reflecting the change in relationship with Mennonite Church USA. Further revisions will be presented at the next meeting. 

Posture Document Application in Ministerial Committee and Credentials Committee –There was a review of the Credentialing Profile for Leaders (replacing the Ministerial Leadership Information/MLI form). The committee shared feedback, including additional questions for the profile and thoughts concerning the interview process. 

Healthy Boundaries Training – Due to difficulty accessing healthy boundaries training, the proposal to use Mosaic policy documents as a basis for a training course was met favorably. Mosaic policy documents were shared, and necessary revisions were discussed. Staff will continue to revise these documents and present them to the committee at the next meeting. 

Allegations of Misconduct – Mosaic will partner with GRACE (netgrace.org) to process misconduct claims and investigations and to work at developing new policies and procedures. 

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.