Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

Boyertown Closes, Congregation Unites with 2/42 Community

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by Noel Santiago, Leadership Minister 

© Google Maps

“While it seems like a distant memory, it was just six months ago (Aug. 2023) that Boyertown (PA) Mennonite (BMC) began to make a final discernment as to whether we would simply continue to function as a small congregation with a part-time pastor, or if we would entertain the concept of merging with another congregation in the Boyertown area using the BMC church facility as the new entity’s ministry location,” shared the report of Walt Morton, merger process mediator and coach for Boyertown, on Jan. 29, 2024. 

The congregation sensed God’s leading to merge with another local community congregation who also had a heart for ministering to the people of the Boyertown community. That congregation was 2/42 Community Church, a nondenominational church, whose pastor is Bryan Raught. 

“On April 28, 2024, both Boyertown Mennonite Church and 2/42 Community Church Members voted unanimously to merge into 2/42 Community Church, effective May 1, 2024,” reads the letter Mosaic Mennonite Conference leaders received from Boyertown Mennonite Church Council Chair Doug Kern, writing on behalf of the congregation. “As a result of this merger, as of May 1, 2024, Boyertown Mennonite ceased to exist.” 

The process of discernment was an almost two-year intentional interim process led by Walt Morton, Intentional Interim Minister from Ohio. The process was heavily oriented toward relationally healthy conversations among congregants, which provided ample opportunities, options, and possibilities for discerning the sense of the congregation. It’s safe to say that when this process began, no one envisioned where it would end up. 

The letter ends with a desire from the Boyertown Mennonite Church members expressing a desire to maintain a relationship with Mosaic Conference. Although no one quite knows what that might look like, we remain open to the further leading of God’s Holy Spirit. 

So, as Boyertown Mennonite Church transitions to 2/42 Community Church, and continues to carry on the work of God’s Kingdom in this new way, we offer this prayer of blessing for her leaders, people, and ministries: 

Gracious and loving God, the builder and sustainer of the Church,

We give thanks for your Spirit and your people at Boyertown Mennonite and 2/42 Community Church.

We give thanks for the challenging work that the Boyertown Mennonite has engaged in these past several years, with transparency, vulnerability, difficult, and sometimes painful conversations, yet also with hope, possibilities, and a view toward a new horizon.

We ask that as Boyertown unites with 2/42 Community Church, your Spirit would bless this joining together as one. That all you have done historically in and through Boyertown Mennonite would be multiplied to that which you have done and are doing in and through 2/42 Community Church so that your kingdom rule and reign may be further established and expanded.

Thank you for the blessing that Boyertown Mennonite has been to Franconia and Mosaic Mennonite Conference over these many years. May all that continues to be said and done, bring you honor, glory, and praise we pray in Jesus name, Amen!  

Marking Our 4th Anniversary as Mosaic

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by Stephen Kriss

This Pentecost marked our 4th anniversary of becoming Mosaic Mennonite Conference. We took our name during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a weekend of protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd. Pentecost 2020 was for many of us, during a tough time, a bright spot to celebrate a coming together. (If you need a reminder of our unveiling, here’s the video, which was filmed at Zion [Souderton, PA] and Centro de Albanza [South Philadelphia] while trying to social distance, at a time when many of us couldn’t get haircuts). 

This year we marked Pentecost by encouraging #MosaicTogether gatherings across our Conference which brought congregations together in a variety of ways. That same weekend, the Mosaic board met at Bethany Birches Camp in Vermont for equipping on discernment and decision making and affirmed the anchor/foundational statements of our Pathways strategic plan. Our previously scheduled Vermont board meeting had been cancelled during the pandemic time due to Vermont’s rigorous regulations on COVID. In a lot of ways, we are still catching up and adjusting to the newness and challenges of the timing of our beginning together. 

Since our birth in 2020, we have received congregations in Florida that now make up about 15% of our membership. We have had several congregations leave our conference after the special delegate session of Mennonite Church USA 2022 and had several congregations close. In the meantime, we’ve supported numerous new church planting initiatives in the United States, Mexico, England, and Colombia, and have had our first online-based communities emerge. We are in the midst of significant change around us and within us. 

I’ve been thinking about what holds mosaics together. It’s easy to see the brilliant, unique, and bright pieces, but harder to notice the quiet work of holding the pieces together. The work of cement and grouting is not particularly glamorous but essential. The task of our Mosaic Conference structure is to hold and situate each piece. We are a community of communities and ministries, not individuals. It takes work that is both individual and communal to hold us together. 

In becoming Mosaic, we had lofty dreams. We didn’t fully know what we would be living into together. We moved forward with hope, believing that our foundation in Christ, our commitment to community, and our willingness to work at reconciliation would give us plenty to do and the strength to do it. Early on we confessed in our vision statement that we work within a broken and beautiful world. That reality makes a mosaic possible. And difficult. 

Cynicism can come from unmet high expectations. Unfulfilled hope placed only in the human realm, not within the reign of God, can frustrate us. We can find ourselves constructing a tower of Babel rather than participating in the fullness of the Spirit’s Pentecost work. The culture around us needs for us to become fully Mosaic, embodying the reconciling love of Jesus, and will attempt to disassemble it.   

I continue to be aware of both our beauty and our precariousness. I am grateful for the ways that so many of us have invested time, prayer, work, and resources that help situate our Mosaic reality, to hold our beauty and brokenness together. Our faith grounds us. The Spirit gives us hope to live out our vision and mission. And love, both of God and each other, is what will hold our mosaic together through the bonds of peace (c.f. Ephesians 4:3). 

Stephen Kriss

Stephen Kriss is the Executive Minister of Mosaic Conference.

Reflections from Pentecost Together / Bersama / Juntos 2024 

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At least 36 congregations within Mosaic Conference participated in the 2024 Mosaic celebration of “Pentecost Together / Bersama / Juntos.” The time together emphasized connecting across congregations of different cultural and theological perspectives to develop and deepen relationships.  

The ways of connecting included worshipping together, pulpit exchanges, shared sermons, praying for each other, shared youth group time, shared worship teams, exchanging video greetings, fellowship meals, and more. Check out the highlights video, as well as a few reflections from participants, below:  

The youth groups of Philadelphia Praise Center and Salford shared games and explored FDR Park after worship at PPC. Photo by Andrew Zetts. 

“On Pentecost, the youth group from Salford (Harleysville, PA) got to go to Philadelphia Praise Center for worship. This opportunity gave me a chance to see how different cultures can be integrated into church life. One special thing about the service was the inclusive space created by the encouragement and participation from the audience. I loved how passionate all the PPC youth were in leading the singing. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and thought that the generosity and liveliness of the church community was a great example of seeing God move through people.”  – Aubrey Gehman, Salford youth group

“On Pentecost, two very different churches came together and laughed, sang, ate, talked, and played. Yes, we are different people with different ways of doing church, but if neither is actually wrong, then it’s possible that in Christ there doesn’t have to be anything that keeps us apart.” – Susan Alloway, Director of Media & Worship for Redemption Church of Bristol (PA)

Read the full reflection here

Redemption Church of Bristol (PA) visits Bethel (Levittown, PA) for worship and a fellowship meal. Photos provided by Gary Alloway. 
Pastors Grant Price and Mike Spinelli preached “podcast style” while a variety of displays for the “talent share” were available in the worship center at Perkiomenville. Photo provided by Mike Spinelli.  

“Perkiomenville and Frederick (PA) met at Perk for a shared worship service followed by a potluck meal and talent share. Members of both churches formed a worship team. Pastors Grant Price and Mike Spinelli preached “podcast style” on the story of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring in Acts 2 and how we can live in the Holy Spirit’s power today. In the talent share, people were encouraged to bring hobbies or interests they pursued and display them for others to enjoy and ask questions about. This time was a great reminder of our congregations’ shared roots and shared power in the Holy Spirit.” – Pastor Mike Spinelli, Perkiomenville

“We learned that as we prayed together, ate together, shared experiences and concerns together, the differences in language and customs, the apprehensions, and self-consciousness didn’t matter. We had all we needed. The blessing of God’s Spirit rested in our hearts. We will do this again.” – SarahAlice Zimmerly, Homestead Mennonite 

Read the full reflection here

Homestead (FL) interim pastor Pavel Gailans and four women from Thailand lead a song together during the Pentecost fellowship dinner.
The Whitehall youth dance team share the story of Pentecost. Photo by Melky Tirtasaputra. 

“When Whitehall (PA) asked if Lakeview (Susquehana, PA) would join them to celebrate Pentecost, we were delighted. It wasn’t long before we agreed that it was time for a road trip! We arrived wearing red, yellow, orange, and blue to match the Whitehall crowd. What a joy when we were also happily reunited with Lakeviewers who had moved away. We were quickly caught up in Pastor Melky’s exuberant welcome. We worshipped in English and Karen.The Whitehall Youth Dance Team worship dance was filled with grace. Lakeview’s pastoral minister, Sister Brigid, shared a challenging message. The service closed with a blessing and a prayer in Haitian Creole and downstairs we went to eat and connect. It was great fun!” – Dorrie Mininger, Lakeview Mennonite 

Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship (Woodstock, VT) was happy to host members of the Mosaic Board and the Executive Minister. The scripture was 1 Cor 14:1-13 and the message included words from both Steve Kriss and Pastor Steve McCloskey. Kriss reflected on the movement of Mosaic congregations joining, leaving, and merging. McCloskey spoke of the hope of maintaining unity and integrity within the Body of Christ, globally and locally. Afterward, a potluck fellowship meal and rich conversation took place.  – Pastor Steve McCloskey, Taftsville Chapel 

Conference Moderator Angela Moyer Walter (Ripple [Allentown, PA]) preaches at Bethany (Bridgewater Corners, VT). The Conference board visited the two Vermont congregations of Mosaic during Pentecost weekend. 

Where is God Hiding in South Philadelphia?

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REFLECTION FROM INTERCULTURAL LUNCH

by Wayne and Mary Nitzsche

Is God present in South Philadelphia? I (Wayne) grew up pretty sure that God lived on a farm in northeast Nebraska. That was my life up until college, and my perception of the city at that time was that it was a scary place with lots of bad people and bad things happening. I felt my dad’s fear when our family got lost while driving through Detroit, Michigan, on our way to visit my brother who lived in an Ontario city at that time. We locked our car doors and released our anxious breath only when we were back in a more rural environment. My journey to meeting God in the city has been a long and winding road. 

Mary’s journey began in Detroit, her birth home. Her father pastored a mission church there for six years. While growing up primarily in Hesston, Kansas, she lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, during her last year of high school and spent a year in voluntary service in Canton, Ohio. 

The city was a place of diversity and adventure. 

Our mutual journey of experiencing God in the city expanded as our daughters settled in two of this country’s largest urban areas, greater Los Angeles and New York City.  

The Intercultural and Missional Teams of Mosaic Conference invited us, on May 4, to come from wherever we live, gather at Centro de Alabanza on Snyder Ave. in South Philadelphia, and experience the city. Twelve of us gathered and were sent out to four different restaurants, Honduran, Asian fusion, Vietnamese or Cambodian cuisine. Before going out, our leaders, Danilo Sanchez and Noel Santiago, asked us to use our five senses as we pondered: “what is the Holy Spirit inviting you to experience and consider as you taste, touch, smell, hear and see?”  

Centro de Alabanza welcomed participants to their building for a time of reflection and sharing after lunch.
Participants split into groups of 3-4 to eat at different restaurants near Centro de Alabanza. 
From left: Hendy Matahelemual (Mosaic staff), Danilo Sanchez (Mosaic staff), Dan Barlow (Centro de Alabanza), Fernando Loyola (Centro de Alabanza), Angel Galicia (Centro de Alabanza), Letty Cortes (Centro de Alabanza), Noel Santiago (Mosaic staff), Charlene Smalls (Ripple [Allentown, PA]), Sheri Brokopp Binder (Ripple Community, Inc.), Mary Nitzsche (Mosaic staff), Wayne Nitzsche (Perkasie [PA]), Magda and Jenn Svetlik (Mosaic staff). 

After lunch we returned to the church to share the stories of our experiences. We told of the aromas, flavors, and colors of the delicious food we ate. Some of us admitted our reluctance to try a new cuisine only to discover how tasty the food was. Several women felt vulnerable walking in the city. Others noted birds singing amid the loud traffic noise and flowers and vegetables growing in planters along with garbage. Two groups encountered those who were unhoused and shared their responses to them. Others were surprised to receive hospitality. All of us agreed that the Holy Spirit was active in our small simple interactions and observations. 

For those of us from more rural or suburban places, to confront our fears, to be surprised, and notice that God is in the city is an intercultural bridge we are called to walk. Maybe traffic goes the other way on the bridge too. Urbanites might need to learn to see God in our rural or suburban neighborhoods. Thank you to Intercultural and Missional Teams for giving us the opportunity to notice God at work in the city.  

Wayne & Mary Nitzsche

Wayne and Mary Nitzsche are Midwest natives. Wayne is the pastor of Perkasie (PA) Mennonite Church, and Mary is a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, sons-in-law, Michael and David, and two delightful grandchildren, William and Audrey.

In Jesus’ Sandals: Blessed are the Peacemakers

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Part 2

by Javier Márquez

(The first part of this article is available here.)

We continue the story of our visit to Comunidad Anabautista de Medellín (Anabaptist Community of Medellín), whose pastors Carlos Sánchez and Nidia Montoya carry out a ministry with more than 40 families in Medellín. It has been growing little by little through discipling and baptizing members of the community, who now also work extending the Kingdom of God in their families. 

We headed towards sectors at the other end of the city of Medellín, where three exceptional people awaited us. 

With Andrea and the group of ex-combatants of FARC-EP.
With Andrea and the group of ex-combatants of FARC-EP.

Andrea is a woman who for many years was a commander and nurse in the FARC-EP guerrilla group, an armed group that entered a peace process signed in 2016 with the Colombian government. She met Carlos and Nidia in civilian life and since then has begun a life of discipleship after leaving her previous one as a militiaman. She was recently baptized and is now part of Comunidad Anabautista de Medellín. 

This time she invited us to her house, where her relatives and colleagues who had also fought with the guerrillas, and who had now been involved in the peace process for years, were also waiting for us. 

We shared the word with them, we read about what the Bible says about peacemakers, and we prayed together, but above all it was a time of great listening: we heard their story, the reasons that led them to the guerrillas and the reasons they had for betting for a life in peace despite the immense danger they faced, and the great difficulties to survive. Andrea leads with love as part of Comunidad Anabautista de Medellín. 

Commune 3, Manrique sector. 
Visiting Karen, a community youth leader. 
Portrait of María Victoria, Karen’s mother. 

We also visited Karen Serna and her mother María Victoria Tirado in the Acevedo sector. To get there we took the metro and then a bus. Upon arrival to the area, there is a bridge, and under the bridge is a small theater used by groups to sell drugs. Past this bridge and down the stairs, there is a small stream running through the block. In this small community there is a group of girls whom the Anabaptist Community of Medellín has been accompanying for several years. 

The community seeks to accompany these girls in their growth, advising them, trying to protect them from prostitution networks that tend to be very attractive in contexts of great need, and encouraging them to dream of studying a professional career and make the best possible decisions for their lives. Nidia especially accompanies them in this process. She is a psychologist and has also been working with children and adolescents for many years, so she is the face of Comunidad Anabautista to the young women of the community. 

Among these young women is Karen, who is the oldest. She studies and works every day selling hot dogs near the university until two in the morning. Despite being only 21 years old, she is an example and leader to the rest of the girls. Carlos and Nidia met her many years ago when she was young, and ministered to her in the way she now replicates with her friends. She is a living testimony that Comunidad Anabautista de Medellín forms leaders in the community. 

Members of Anabaptist Community of Medellín gathered in Nidia Montoya’s and Carlos Sánchez’s house.

On Tuesday night, we met at Carlos and Nidia’s house for dinner with people from the community. We sang together, read the word, prayed, and had dinner. It was a special night because, for the first time, Comunidad Anabautista de Medellín fellowshipped with the Mosaic Conference team. 

Prayer for the pastoral team and the ministry of Carlos and Nidia.
Prayer for the pastoral team and the ministry of Carlos and Nidia.

Before leaving Medellín we all prayed for Nidia and Carlos. We shared a time of communion where we all expressed our emotions and thoughts after three days of travel together. We felt like we had put on the sandals of Jesus, and our hearts were touched during each of the visits. In the conversations, we also managed to better understand the many needs and challenges of the church. The most immediate need is for a place to meet with all families, not only to officiate services, but also to have a meeting place for everyone in the community. 

Carlos and Nidia opened the doors of their beautiful home in Medellín to us, shared their food, and set aside their time for Mosaic. It was a time in which we strengthened ties, deepened friendships, and began to share the challenges of this incredible community. 

Javier Márquez

Javier Márquez is an Anabaptist Colombian pacifist and poet and a writer for the MCUSA publication MenoTicias.

May 2024 Faith and Life Gathering: The Foundation of the Church 

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by Charlene Smalls, Noel Santiago and Hendy Matahelemual

The Faith and Life Commission of Mosaic Conference provides space for pastors and credentialed leaders to build ties of friendship and support. We convene quarterly to discuss scripture and listen to how we might interpret and apply those scriptures. We pray for each other and our congregations in light of our reflections. We seek to develop relationships of mutual trust and accountability, deepening our convictions and the involvement we have in the congregations we lead. (based on the reflections of Lindy Backues [Philadelphia Praise Center]) 

Captions: Participants gather virtually for the May Faith and Life Gathering. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.
Participants gather at Wellspring Church of Skippack (PA). Photo by Noel Santiago. 

Gathering online one day and in person the next, credentialed leaders from around Mosaic gathered to read, reflect, share, and pray for each other during the May 2024 Faith and Life Gathering.  

The theme for this gathering’s focus was the Foundation of the Church. Using 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, three questions opened the conversation: 

  1. Building is a process. Building communities, relationships, and the Kingdom of God here on earth requires work. What can we hold on to and what can we release so that together we strengthen the foundation? (One waters, one plants, God gives the increase). 
  2. How are we building the church or laying the foundation in the context of our priorities – Formational, Missional, and Intercultural? 
  3. What partnering has helped deepen and strengthened you and your ministry? 

A sampling of what participants shared included: 

  • How do we move on and make peace with the people that have not returned to our congregations, after attempts to reach out and embrace what is new?  
  • A recognition that if we cannot talk to one another, how can we talk to or share Good News with others? 
  • Always bring the process of building back to Jesus. 
  • How well do we understand one another’s context, recognizing the differences within the Mosaic Conference? 
  • Having a clear articulation of who we are and not allowing our political views to interfere with Kingdom work, which can pose a danger to the strength of the building.  
  • The importance of being rooted in our gifts and learning from each other, staying humble despite our differences, and remaining open to transformation. 
  • Heartfelt, deep sharing and praying 

While those gathered were small in numbers, the wisdom, care, sharing, and prayers abounded. May God continue to help us build the church on the foundation of Jesus! 

Charlene Smalls

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

Noel Santiago

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

Hendy Matahelemual

Hendy Matahelemual is the Associate Minister for Community Engagement for Mosaic Conference.

Art, Hospitality, and the Holy Spirit on a Mosaic Learning Tour

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by Sonya Stauffer Kurtz

Recently I traveled with five other Mosaic pastors from multi-staff congregations on a learning tour to England and Calais, France to learn more about neo-Anabaptist churches and refugee support. What I brought home was a new appreciation for art, hospitality, and the work of the Holy Spirit in ministry. 

From left: Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise Center), Juliet Kilpin (Peaceful Borders), Steve Kriss (Executive Minister, Mosaic Conference), Jeff Wright (Blooming Glen[PA]), Roger Kurtz and Sonya Stauffer Kurtz (Zion [Souderton, PA]), Simon Jones, Dave Greiser (Salford [Harleysville, PA]). Photo shared by Aldo Siahaan.

Yeovil Community Church in West Country England is a thriving community-oriented congregation meeting in a former car dealership. Sarah Horder, leadership team member, was one of our hosts.  

At dinner the first evening she said, “I have something for all of you.” She proceeded to pull out colorful drawings that she had made, one for each visitor, three of whom she first met that afternoon. 

The art included a page of scripture and words of encouragement. Sarah explained, “God woke me up very early this morning. I often wake up in the night, so I get up, make art, and pray for people.”  

Each picture was different and beautiful and spoke directly to us. It was one of the most surprising gifts I’ve ever received. This woman hadn’t even met us yet, and she was praying for us in the night, making art, and receiving words from the Spirit on our behalf!   

For me she had the story of the widow’s oil from the book of Kings: A promise that God would use what I have and that it would bring life to others.  

The Widow’s Oil, artwork by Sarah Horder. Photo by Sonya Stauffer Kurtz. 

It turns out Sarah’s role in the congregation is to be a prophetic and prayerful presence. Her words of encouragement happen regularly and are very valued. 

All week long I kept noticing art, hospitality, and the Holy Spirit! 

Stuart and Sian Murray-Williams, of the Anabaptist Mennonite Network, hosted us in their London home for a day. Stuart’s latest book, The New Anabaptists, includes the stories of Peaceful Borders and Arnott Road Baptist, a small church restart in their neighborhood.  

Peaceful Borders staff took us under the English Channel to Calais, France, a modest town where migrants and refugees, people on the move from places like Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea gather to try to cross into the UK.  

Most refugees live in tents, moving from place to place as they are able.  

Our destination was the Maria Skobtsova House, a haven for particularly vulnerable refugee women and children. There we met Mennonite Mission Network workers Joseph and Rachel Givens, and some of the women living at the house. 

The first thing I noticed in the house is that one whole wall is full of art. Informal, everyday art created by the women, kids, and volunteers. The house is both peaceful and can be very chaotic. Daily Taizé prayer grounds the volunteers and guests in something bigger and stronger than the systems and powers that they must navigate daily.   

At the house there is a lot of conversation, regular meals, and trying to live in the moment, because nothing is permanent or predictable when you are a refugee. 

In a refugee day center, watercolor paintings of boats caught my eye. Along with English and French classes, workshops on legal issues, and a place to charge your phone, the center provides art supplies to help people process their experiences.   

Veronique, a longtime volunteer, explained, “we used to just distribute things to refugees, but slowly we realized that just being with people was more important. It’s been kind of a conversion for us.” 

In my task-oriented American pastoral life it is good to be reminded that being with, creating art, and the work of the Holy Spirit are important and can be used by God to work for Kingdom ends. 

Sonya Stauffer Kurtz

Sonya Stauffer Kurtz is lead pastor at Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton, PA. Originally from Iowa, she has lived and worked in Europe, Africa and North America. She is inspired by learning about the work of the Spirit in the global church.

Walk Humbly with God 

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2024 CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY THEME

“O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8, NLT 

at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church 
November 2, 2024 9am – 4:30pm 
Primary Preacher:  Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards 

In May the Mosaic board affirmed the theme for the 2024 Mosaic Assembly: Walk Humbly with God. Why humility now? As we approach the communal discernment of the Pathways process, “walking humbly with God” seems an especially important theme. With this theme, we seek to reflect on how to hold our faith and belief with grace, as we seek to embody the reconciling love of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world. 

“The theme for this year is very timely as we seek to further live into our vision and mission, guided by the new strategic plan,” shares Angela Moyer Walter, Conference Moderator. “There is no better place to position ourselves, individually and corporately, walking humbly before God.” 

Humility in the midst of becoming Mosaic is an invitation to honor the differences among us as we seek to offer a distinct witness in the world. During this year’s critical Assembly, Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards’ recent book Humility Illuminated offers us an Anabaptist framework for the way we move forward.   

Humility is a vital theme in our shared witness as the church, embodied through acts of service, foot washing, and how we live. At the same time, for communities and individuals who have experienced oppression, humility has at times been weaponized to justify continued oppression. Dr. Edwards’ work liberates humility in challenging ways that offer possibilities for how we can further be Mosaic together. 

“Dennis incarnates humility in his wise and open approach to leadership and pastoral life,” reflects Steve Kriss, Executive Conference Minister. “Humility seems countercultural in a time of social media blasts of self-promotion and sound bites. Humility invites us to see our own belovedness by God, while knowing that is extended to all people. This can be both challenging and motivating.” 

Dr. Edwards is currently dean at North Park Seminary in Chicago, the seminary of the Evangelical Covenant Church. He has been a pastor in New York City, Washington DC, and Minneapolis. He embodies his ethic of humility alongside diligent work and open-handed friendship. His books have been used in Mosaic Institute classes, particularly Might from the Margins.  

Dr. Edwards was credentialed by Franconia Conference for nearly a decade when he was pastor at Peace Fellowship Church in Washington DC. His latest book also mentions and honors Dennis’ ongoing friendship with Randy Heacock, pastor at Doylestown (PA) Mennonite Church and former Mosaic Conference leadership minister. 

We are planning for Dr. Edwards to spend time with pastors on Friday and to be part of the Nations and Generations gathering for Mosaic leaders of color on Friday evening. He will be the primary preacher for Assembly worship.  

“What if being Mosaic is a balance of brilliance and humility, powerful listening and powerful speaking, servant leadership and prophetic proclamation?” Kriss asks. “When Jesus sensed the tension in the misplaced values of his disciples, he bent down to wash their feet, dramatically and boldly. In what ways does our posture and our action provide such an interruption and witness?” 

Hear from Dr. Edwards on Humility Illuminated in this interview.