Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

First Director of Mennonite Heritage Center Dies

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Editor’s Note: Below is the obituary for Mary Jane Hershey, one of the founders of the Mosaic Conference-Related Ministry Mennonite Heritage Center and Mennonite Historians of Eastern PA. Read more about Hershey here.

Mary Jane Lederach Hershey died on July 18, 2026, at Grand View Hospital. She was born on May 5, 1930, in Trooper, Pennsylvania to parents, Willis Kulp and Mary Mensch Lederach. For 66 years she was married to and dearly loved by Hiram Robert Hershey (1926-2020).

In 1945 her parents moved to her grandparents’ home in Lederach and in 1948 she graduated as valedictorian from Souderton High School. She earned degrees from Goshen College, Drexel University, and Gwynedd Mercy College. After teaching for five years in local high schools, and after her children were in elementary school, she became involved in the family real estate business, Hershey Farm Agency, Inc., working for fifty years as office manager, agent and associate broker.

In her young adult life, she was deeply involved in parenting issues and was a leader for La Leche League, Nursing Mothers groups, Childbirth Education and FAMLEE. Through these involvements she helped to open local hospitals to birthing with fathers present. With Souderton based FAMLEE she taught Parent Effectiveness Training to numerous groups.

Mary Jane was one of the founders of the Mosaic Conference-Related Ministry Mennonite Heritage Center (MHC) in Harleysville, PA, where she served as the first director (volunteer) of the organization at its initial site in Souderton. In mid-life she served two terms as President and was later honored as Trustee Emerita. She continued with the organization into her 90s, working at organizing and indexing collections that had been deposited into the Kauffman Archive.

During her years with MHC, she became aware that there was an extraordinary record of fraktur creativity associated with the Mennonite Meetinghouse Schools at Skippack and Salford. She said she felt the fraktur were asking her to tell their story. After 24 years of researching this phenomenon, in 2003 her book This Teaching I Present: Fraktur from the Skippack and Salford Mennonite Meetinghouse Schools, 1747-1836 was published. The director of the American Folk Art Museum cited the book as “One of the most delightful and colorful studies of Pennsylvania German material culture ever to be published.” It received an Award of Commendation from the American Association for State and Local History and is #41 in the series, Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History.

Her life centered around family and faith. She had a passion for bringing people together and working at justice issues. She participated in demonstrations locally and in Washington DC and Philadelphia. She and Hiram hosted many African, European and international groups. They spent a summer term in China teaching conversational English and she joined two delegations to Haiti with Christian Peacemaker Teams (now Community Peacemaker Teams).

A member of Salford (PA) Mennonite, she served as an elder and with the Justice and Peace Group where she helped to initiate the Donation of the Month, the Peace Fraktur for sixth graders, the Peace Panels, Peace Camp, and she assisted with the resettlement of refuges. Her life motto was “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God”.

Mary Jane shared this faith statement: “I didn’t understand completely the meaning of the ‘Spirit of God’, but often I felt a compulsion to work at justice issues. I credit those moments as movements of God’s spirit within me.”

Times together with Hiram, their children and grandchildren brought sparkle and contentment to her life. In reflecting on their growing family, she wrote, “Each one was special. We were family. We believed in and cared for each other.”

Her family includes Hiram Peter Hershey and his wife Mary Jane Mulcahey and their children, Rebekah M. (Ben Kim), Sarah M., Michaela Elizabeth; James Lederach Hershey and his children Anna Kathryn (Mike Dimmig) and James Matthew; and daughter Mary Elizabeth Hershey and her spouse Merle Bergman. All her children are residents of Harleysville or Philadelphia. Her cherished son Thomas L. Hershey pre-deceased her in January 2026. She has one great-granddaughter, Emerson Jane Kim.

Siblings, Ruth Mensch Lederach Rittgers (St. Petersburg, FL) and John Mensch Lederach (Goshen, IN), zoomed every Sunday evening, starting during Covid, continuing until the death of her sister Ruth in 2024. After Ruth’s death, Ruth’s husband Phil Rittgers joined the Sunday evening conversations. Her brother Paul Mensch Lederach died in 2014, and her brother Byung Dong Kim passed in 2022.

In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to do so may make contributions to the endowment at the Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438. She had a deep concern that the vision of the MHC would continue after the demise of the founders. During the last decade of life, with the help of her brother Byung Dong Kim and many friends, the MHC endowment was significantly increased. Cards may be sent in care of Beth Hershey, 1264 Old Sumneytown Pike, Harleysville, PA 19438.

Her body is being donated to Humanity Gifts Registry. At her request, there will be no public service. Her family will gather privately to remember.

Discovering a Wider Family

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by Carlyn Desiani

Attending the Vibrant Relationships and Vibrant Identity classes was a meaningful experience for me. Not only did I learn more about Mennonite beliefs and values, but I also found myself reflecting on my own faith journey, cultural background, and the relationships God has used to shape my life.

My faith journey began in an unusual way. I was born into a Buddhist family and spent the first eleven years of my life in that tradition. When I was eleven years old, I chose to be baptized and became a follower of Jesus. Before taking these classes, I knew very little about Anabaptist history and beliefs. As I learned about the Anabaptist emphasis on a personal decision to follow Christ and believer’s baptism, I found myself relating to those values. Although I did not know much about Anabaptism before, I realized that my own faith journey reflected some of the same principles because my decision to follow Jesus was a personal choice rather than something I simply inherited from my family.

The intercultural portion of the classes was especially meaningful to me. As an immigrant from Indonesia, I have experienced what it is like to live between cultures and learn from people whose backgrounds are different from my own. The classes challenged me to think about how culture influences the way we see the world and how God calls us to build relationships across cultural differences.

Carlyn Desiani is part of the worship team at Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA)

Growing up, my parents placed a strong value on Chinese culture and traditions. They often viewed Chinese culture as the ideal standard and were not very open to other cultural backgrounds. This became very personal when I began dating my husband, Edmond. At first, my parents did not approve of our relationship because he is not of full Chinese descent. It was a difficult time for us, but over time they were won over by his kindness, character, and sincere commitment to our relationship. As they got to know him better, their hearts softened, and they came to see that a person’s character matters far more than their ethnic background.

Looking back, I can see that my relationship with Edmond was preparing me for an intercultural life in America long before I realized it. Through him and his family, I was exposed to a much more multicultural environment. I learned to appreciate different traditions, perspectives, and ways of life. Even something as simple as food became part of that journey. Since moving to the United States, I have enjoyed and appreciated foods from many different cultures, far more than I ever did growing up. What once felt unfamiliar gradually became something I could celebrate and enjoy.

Because of these experiences, the discussions about intercultural relationships resonated deeply with me. They reminded me that God’s family is much bigger than any one culture, ethnicity, or nationality. The church is a place where people from different backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and reflect the beauty of God’s diverse creation. I was encouraged by the Mennonite emphasis on community, relationships, and learning to listen to people whose experiences may be different from our own.

Another blessing from these classes was the opportunity to meet and learn alongside members from other congregations within the Mennonite community. Before attending these classes, I had little exposure to churches outside of my own congregation. It was encouraging to hear the stories, experiences, and perspectives of fellow believers from different churches who share the same faith and values. Seeing the diversity within the Mennonite community reminded me that the body of Christ is much larger than a single congregation. It was especially meaningful to see people from different backgrounds worshipping, learning, and growing together. I left feeling more connected to the broader Mennonite family and grateful for the relationships and conversations that took place throughout the classes.

Overall, these classes helped me gain a deeper understanding of Mennonite history, values, and identity while also helping me reflect on my own story. They reminded me that God has been using relationships, challenges, and cultural experiences throughout my life to shape me and prepare me for living in a diverse community. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in these classes, for the lessons I learned about faith, relationships, and intercultural understanding, and for the chance to connect with fellow believers from other Mennonite congregations. I look forward to continuing to grow in faith, building meaningful relationships across cultures, and participating in the broader Mennonite community as part of the body of Christ.

Carlyn Desiani

Carlyn Desiani is a member of Indonesian Light Church in Philadelphia and a participant in the second Vibrant Mosaic cohort. Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, she enjoys serving in her church community, building intercultural friendships and learning how faith can bring people from diverse backgrounds together.

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.   

Men Strengthened in Their Calling at Florida Leadership Empowerment Gathering

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by Javier Márquez

Pastors and leaders from Mosaic Mennonite Conference congregations in Florida gathered on June 13 for a men’s leadership empowerment event hosted by College Hill Mennonite (Tampa, FL) in partnership with pastors from across Florida. The gathering provided opportunities for worship, teaching, fellowship, and reflection on biblical leadership for men.

For Pastor Secundino Casas of Iglesia Menonita Shalom (Tampa, FL), one of the most meaningful aspects of the event was reconnecting with fellow ministers after several months apart. Spending time with other leaders strengthened friendships and served as a reminder of the importance of serving God together.

“It was a real blessing to greet one another and share this time together,” Casas said.

Pastor Secundino also expressed appreciation for the event’s organization, thanking Pastor Joseph Brooks and the College Hill Mennonite host team for their work. He had the opportunity to open the gathering with a prayer based on Joshua 1:5, a passage that set the spiritual tone for the day.

What stood out most to Casas was that, without any prior coordination, Pastor Tomás Ramírez of Iglesia Menonita Luz y Vida (Orlando, FL) centered his teaching on the same book of Joshua. For Secundino, this was a confirmation of the Holy Spirit’s leading and a reminder of God’s call to strengthen those who serve in Christ’s name.

One of the teachings that resonated most deeply with participants focused on the role of men as fathers and spiritual leaders. Secundino shared that one statement, in particular, stayed with him: the observation that many fathers have begun to live in fear of their own children.

“That reflection made me think about my own family and also about our role as spiritual fathers within the church. We need the strength God gives us to counsel, correct, and serve with love—not out of fear, but with confidence that God equips us to do what is good.”

The gathering also featured testimonies from two Christian authors who shared how God transformed their lives after difficult experiences. Their stories reminded those in attendance of God’s restoring power and the hope available to those who place their trust in God.

Beyond the teaching sessions, the event created a rare space where men could worship together, have honest conversations, and openly share their struggles, challenges, and lessons learned in an atmosphere of mutual support.

“I left feeling strengthened and reminded that God gives us the power to do good. I came away encouraged to continue serving with greater confidence, both in my family and in the church,” Casas shared.

The gathering reaffirmed the commitment of Mosaic’s Hispanic churches to continue equipping men to lead with humility, spiritual strength, and faithfulness to Christ’s calling.

Javier Márquez

Javier Márquez is Associate for Community Cultivation and Leadership Development. He is an Anabaptist Colombian pacifist and poet. He is based in Bogota, Colombia.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To contact Javier Márquez email jmarquez@mosaicmennonites.org.

Men Gathered for Empowerment, Encouragement and Spiritual Growth in Tampa

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by Joseph Brooks

College Hill Mennonite (Tampa, FL) hosted its 2026 Men’s Empowerment Network on June 13-14, bringing together men from across Florida and beyond for a weekend centered on the theme, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

The event combined biblical teaching, worship, fellowship, and conversation, featuring speakers from Mosaic congregations and beyond, including Tomas Ramirez (Iglesia Menonita Luz y Vida [Orlando, FL]), Pavel Gailans (Homestead [FL] Mennonite), Phillip Moore (The Refuge Church), author Nathaniel Roddy, and Sunday preacher Rev. Chidi Ihezuoh (LA Faith Chapel). Participants reflected on Scripture, encouraged one another in their faith, and discussed both the challenges and joys of following Christ, and the call of men in Joshua 24. The gathering generated enthusiastic feedback both from those attending in person and those participating online.

The weekend offered strong spiritual leadership and meaningful connections among the men who attended. Here are the key points:

Empowering: Participants described feeling strengthened and affirmed in their faith. The conversations throughout the weekend reflected a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement as men worshiped and learned together.

Engaging: From beginning to end, men were deeply engaged with the speakers, discussions, and one another.

Encouraging and Exhorting: The biblical practice of exhortation, walking alongside one another to build up, comfort, motivate, and encourage faithful Christian living, was a central part.

Exciting: There was enthusiasm throughout the weekend. Conversations continued long after each session, and many participants were already asking who might host next year’s gathering.

Edifying: Each speaker shared powerful messages that built up those listening. Charge!

Educating: We all learned a lot about the word of God and a little about one another.

Experience: Men traveled from Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Homestead, Miami, and other parts of Florida to participate. The presence of Rev. Chidi Ihezuoh, who traveled from California with his family, along with those who joined online, made the gathering memorable.

Example: Resolution for Men, a resource inspired by the film Courageous, was offered a practical tool for continued spiritual growth.

Joshua was a man of resolution. He knew who he was and what his responsibilities were. Time and again, his boldness, faith, and courage rallied men. Finally, standing before them near the end of his life, delivering a farewell address to his countrymen, his wholehearted resolve and commitment to God as the leader of his family still showed through. He said:

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15).

From the heart, we at College Hill Mennonite are grateful to God for spiritual leadership and guidance, and the support from Mosaic, each guest speaker, family, friends in the community, and those who joined us online… May God bless you and keep you, in Jesus’ name, amen!

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.   

Amahoro International and Mennonite Church Uganda meet for a Two-day Conference in Mukono, Uganda

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Editor’s Note: Reprinted with permission from Mosaic Conference-Related Ministry Amahoro International.

Following last year’s three-day visit of Musumba (Pastor) Makinto at Ntale Mennonite Church, Uganda, Mosaic Conference-Related Ministry Amahoro International (AMI) and Mennonite Church Uganda under the leadership of Bishop Simon Okoth Onyango organized a two-day conference on July 18-19, 2026, with the theme: Peacebuilding in troubled times: Living in the security of God’s kingdom.

The morning of July 18 greeted us with long-awaited rain, very heavy at times, to the point that only four of the 15 member congregations were able to brave the weather and send a delegation. The smaller number gathered did not diminish in the warm, welcoming, and spiritually-edifying atmosphere that reigned during the day-long conference on Saturday and the Sunday morning worship.

The congregation in the open church building (no windows or doors) worshipped in the rhythm of the falling rain on the metal roof. The stomping feet of the youth worship team dancing in Congolese formation and singing familiar African praise songs, with their contagious smiles and movements, drew the congregation into joyful worship. The two loudspeakers, running exclusively on solar power, could barely last throughout the four-hour service.

Nevertheless, the joy of praising the Lord through song and dance radiated throughout the building, and as the rain slowly subsided, the Amahoro team taught, preached and testified on the conference theme. Musumba Makinto preached on Matthew 7 and 2 Chronicles 18 about the persecution and reward of peacemakers in conflict situations; Mukarabe Makinto gave her testimony of a refugee finding her calling through the legacy of her late father, a champion of girls’ education; and Emery expanded on five biblical principles for godly living.

Clairia spent creative time with the children and youth, studying bible verses, leading singing, and most importantly, counseling teenage girls and listening to their heartbreaking stories. Her workshop with these girls was very impactful; the simple act of sharing stories of abuse, lack of education, and family brokenness illuminated the dire situation of young girls in Africa. It showed the girls participating that their situation is not isolated but a societal pattern.

Finally, the whole congregation, including the children and youth, participated in the final workshop with Musumba Makinto: learning three-part harmony on a well-known African praise song: Mwamba Mwamba, which became the beloved “special number” for the Sunday morning service.

Pastor Simon Okoth Onyango is Bishop of Mennonite Church Uganda (MCU), member of Mennonite World Conference (MWC). Through his advocacy, MCU is well represented within MWC, as his recent trip to MWC leadership conference in Accra, Ghana demonstrated. Onyango and Makinto agree that the relationship between Mennonite Church Uganda and Amahoro International is important to establish stronger ties with Mosaic Mennonite Conference and other Mennonite agencies in the U.S. AMI has been active in Uganda since 2016 as a development agency working with refugees and young people to foster a culture of self-sustainability and African leadership of integrity. With good relationships both in the U.S. and in East Africa, AMI could serve as an important link between partners in both worlds.

The two-day conference ended with a traditional lunch at the bishop’s residence: karo, chapati, cabbage, beef and chicken stew, and a prayer for peace in the world’s conflict areas and for journey-mercies for the Amahoro team traveling back to Bombo.

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.   

Soccer Brings Neighbors Together at Zion Mennonite

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by Jenn Moyer and Bonnie Moyer

A love of soccer became a bridge for new relationships as nearly 50 people gathered at Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA) on June 25 for Victory Beyond the Cup, a community soccer watch party supported through Mosaic Mennonite Conference’s Vibrant Mosaic congregational experiments.

The event invited members of the congregation and neighbors from the wider community to gather around two World Cup soccer matches on a big screen while sharing food, conversation, and activities for all ages. Participants included families connected with Zion’s preschool and Bean Bag Food Program and members of sister congregation Iglesia Menonita Ebenezer.

Lots of good food and fellowship was shared.
Pickup soccer was a highlight of the evening.

The fellowship hall was decorated to celebrate the four competing teams and included country facts and a world map. A craft table was also available where kids could design their own paper soccer ball and jersey, make a soccer bracelet, and color the teams’ country flags.

Outside, a pickup soccer game and rounds of 9-square were as popular as the games on television, creating opportunities for children and adults to engage across generations and backgrounds.

The buffet table was filled with all kinds of delicious food and drink, including Peruvian and Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, barbequed wings, chicken fingers, and more. Dessert choices included Mexican brownies, churros, funny cake and shoefly pie. The crowd enjoyed it all.

While soccer brought people through the doors, the event also helped Zion members build relationships beyond their usual circles and strengthen connections among the many communities that intersect through the congregation. By creating a welcoming, low-pressure environment centered on a shared interest, the event encouraged conversations and friendships that might not have happened otherwise.

Those gathered play 9 ball.
Children make bracelets together.

Victory Beyond the Cup was one of several congregational experiments funded in 2026 through Mosaic’s Vibrant Mosaic program, of which Zion Mennonite is a participant in the second cohort. This year, participants from four congregations in the second cohort took classes on Vibrant Relationships (focused on Mosaic’s intercultural priority) and Vibrant Identity (focused on Anabaptist, Mosaic, and local congregation history, polity, and identity). Following the classes, each congregation had the opportunity to discern and design an experiment they’d like to try with their congregation, applying learnings from the classes. Up to $5,000 in funds are available to support these experiments.

Bonnie Moyer and Jenn Moyer

Bonnie Moyer and Jenn Moyer are both participants from Zion Mennonite in the Vibrant Mosaic program.

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.   

Exploring the Many Stories of Mosaic Conference

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by Eszter Bjorkman

As part of Mosaic’s ordination process, pastors and ministry leaders must take four courses through the Mosaic Institute. My first course, titled “Introduction to Mosaic Conference,” was taught by Executive Minister Stephen Kriss and Leadership Minister for Formation Rose Bender Cook. This class focused on the origins of Anabaptism, the evolution of the Mosaic Conference, and what it looks like today.

The course included several assignments and experiences, ranging from Zoom lectures and readings to field trips and projects. One of the main elements was hearing each other’s “path towards Anabaptism,” encapsulated in our life stories. Many of these stories were heartbreaking, some even funny, but all unique. Even with just eight people in our group, we represented many different cultures and ethnicities. There is one thing that brought us all together: the way that Jesus has moved in each of our lives.

Most of these stories were told throughout the intensive portion of our class, in which we spent four days together in the Souderton and Philadelphia area for hands-on learning and relationship building. We began by meeting at Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA), for dinner. Here we began learning about Anabaptism through Zion’s history in that community.

At the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, PA.

Our first full day began at the Conference-Related Ministry Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, PA), led by Joel Alderfer and Regina Wenger. This is a phenomenal museum that outlines the complicated history of the Anabaptist movement and Mennonite people with preserved artifacts, alongside a glimpse of where Mennonites are today.

After a quick lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, we went to the Conference-Related Ministry Penn Foundation (Sellersville, PA) and met with Chaplain Sue Howes. There, we learned about how this institution was founded: many drafted Mennonites worked in sanitariums, the mental hospitals of that time, in lieu of active military duty. When they saw the deplorable conditions of these “hospitals,” they bravely exposed the truth. The outcry in response allowed the establishment of the Penn Foundation, which was one of the first institutions to treat mentally ill people with dignity. The following day began at the Conference-Related Ministry Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust in Philadelphia where we stood at the site of the first permanent Mennonite meetinghouse in America. This community fought for justice and loving its neighbor, even as people seeking refuge in a foreign land. They created the first formal written petition against slavery, and though the petition never gained enough traction to have any effect, I was encouraged to learn that Mennonites have been standing up for justice since the beginning.

At Rittenhouse Town in Philadelphia.

We then journeyed to Rittenhouse Town, a small Mennonite village created around one of the first independent paper mills in the area. This paper mill allowed them to print their own Bibles without being taxed by Britain for the paper. The paper mill, and the community that formed around it, helped that area prosper and slowly become what the Philadelphia area is today, all owed to the Rittenhouse Mennonites.

Next, went to South Philadelphia to one of Mosaic’s Indonesian churches, the Philadelphia Praise Center (PPC), pastored by Aldo Siahaan. There we were blessed by a delicious homemade Indonesian lunch while we heard from a couple of Everence representatives about the financial resources available to Mosaic pastors. Following, Pastor Aldo told us about PPC’s incredible history. Learning about PPC provided a glimpse of the type of conference Mosaic strives to be.

Food and fellowship with local pastors.

Following our time at PPC, we had dinner at a Mexican restaurant with the pastor of Centro de Alabanza de Filadelfia, a Spanish-speaking church that originally began with PPC but now worships in its own space.

At the Mosaic Offices in Landsdale, Stephen Kriss continued to teach us about Anabaptist history and the “polygenesis” theory of their origination. This is the idea that Anabaptism emerged in multiple places through shared commitments to believers’ baptism, discipleship, and nonviolence. Then, over a lunch of phenomenal Indian food, we heard from Ertell Wigham, the former pastor of Nueva Vida Norristown New Life, a bilingual, multiracial church. Despite their many differences, this community has continued to work towards unity and interculturalism; their church is such a powerful example of the body of Christ!

From the Mosaic offices, we made our way to FernRock Retreat, a beautiful place surrounded by nature and intentional opportunities for connecting with God, operated by Mosaic Pastor Sandy Drescher-Lehman and her husband, John. I spent over an hour walking and observing God’s beautiful creation, talking to Him out loud without any expectations or fear. After learning, thinking, and discussing almost non-stop for three days, this was a welcome breath of air. I am so grateful that Mosaic values sabbath time and understands how important quiet and rest are, not just learning. What a gift!

I confess that at first, I was not looking forward to this course. I had already taken Anabaptist history in seminary, so I did not see the usefulness in learning it again. Yes, I would get to meet new pastors, but I did not see the point of building relationships with pastors from all over the country that I would likely not see again. However, God humbled me quickly. I was moved by learning everyone’s stories. These stories, mixed with learning about the history of my ancestors, made it all come to life in a deeply personal and impactful way that I had never experienced before.

I began to see how my story as a Christian, as a woman, as a Mennonite, and as a member of Neffsville (PA) Mennonite fits into the larger story of God’s people. I was struck with a deep sense of God moving and speaking within me about my future and the future of Neffsville. Coming to the end of this course, I still have much to learn, but in the meantime, I am certain that I am exactly where God wants me to be. I am grateful to Mosaic for this experience and its continued support.

Learn more about Mosaic Institute!

The next Introduction to Mosaic course will be offered August-October 2026.  

Mosaic Institute is a conference-based, Anabaptist school of leadership for newly credentialed leaders, experienced pastors, Conference Related Ministry leaders, and lay leaders in Mosaic congregations and beyond. Courses are required for newly credentialed leaders but open to all.  

Eszter Bjorkman

Eszter Bjorkman serves as Associate Pastor of Youth Ministry & Congregational Life at Neffsville Mennonite Church. Since she began there in 2022, she has enjoyed serving the youth ministry, supporting ministry teams, and preaching. She and her husband, Karl, live in Lancaster where they enjoy watching movies and petting their bunny, Totoro.

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.   

Introducing the 2026 Mosaic Summer Ambassadors: Part 4

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Editor’s Note: This summer, 16 young adult Ambassadors are serving in congregations and ministries across Mosaic Conference. This is the final article highlighting four of these Ambassadors. Click to read Part I | Part II | Part III.

The Summer Ambassadors are approaching the end of their 10 weeks of service. Some of them were able to visit the Lansdale, PA area last week to have lunch with the Mosaic Conference staff and dinner with friends and supporters. It was energizing for them to share their reflections and learnings. The Ambassadors who gathered last week for a closing retreat in Cartagena, Colombia had a very meaningful time reflecting on leadership, their summer experiences, and developing friendships. Please pray for the other half of the Ambassadors who will gather in Arkon, Pennsylvania next week for their closing retreat.

Below, four more Ambassadors introduce themselves:

Ana Hernández, Fraternidad Cristiana Vida Nueva (México City) 

“I became an Ambassador to help people in need and share the Gospel with them. My other motivations were to develop my leadership skills and put my professional knowledge into practice. This summer, I hope to grow in leadership and in my spiritual life.”

School: Autonomous Metropolitan University, studying psychology
Interests: I like nature and art, and I enjoy listening to and supporting people.
Hobbies: I enjoy writing poetry, singing, listening to music, reflecting, and delving into the Bible.

Eunice Domínguez Ferrer, Fraternidad Cristiana Vida Nueva (México City) 

“I became an Ambassador because I enjoy seeing different perspectives and how different people live. It is also an opportunity to reflect on everything God allows me to have, which I sometimes fail to appreciate. This summer I hope to help people, and I pray that God grants me the wisdom to understand and listen to them, to continue preaching the Gospel, and to help more people come to know God.”

Studies: Psychology 
Interests: I am very sociable, always ready to help, and know how to listen. 
Hobbies: I enjoy drawing and spending time with family and loved ones. 

Daniel Torres, Christian Council of Liderazgo y Fe de Colombia Oasis de Fe

“I became an Ambassador to learn and contribute my knowledge. This summer I hope to enjoy every moment and create unforgettable memories.”

Occupation: Teaching 
Interests: I enjoy reading and am sociable; I like proposing ideas and working in a team. 

Heydi Perez Casas, Iglesia Menonita Shalom (Tampa, FL)

“I became an Ambassador this year because I have been an Ambassador previously and had an amazing experience. I wanted to learn even more and continue developing skills I can use for my community, my congregation, and my own life. I hope to experience new ideas and become a stronger leader. This summer, I want to meet new people, building meaningful connections, and learn about other cultures. I want to explore the idea of how, though we all have different perspectives, cultures, traditions, we all serve one God.”

School: Hillsborough Community College, studying education
Interests: I am studying to become an elementary school teacher.
Hobbies: I am the photographer in my congregation; I love to capture many beautiful moments in church. I enjoy spending time with loved ones and learning from others so to expand my life.

En Mosaic, valoramos la comunicación bidireccional y animamos a nuestros miembros a responder con comentarios, preguntas o palabras de aliento. Para contactar a Javier Márquez, envíe un correo electrónico a jmarquez@mosaicmennonites.org.