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Articles

Remembering Anthonia Chibuzo Onye

March 7, 2024 by Cindy Angela

Mosaic Conference celebrates the life of Anthonia Chibuzo Onye (May 18, 1971 to Jan. 12, 2024), who had previously served as assistant pastor, deaconess, and member of LA (CA) Faith Chapel.  

More recently Onye had served as a regional minister for Southern California for Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference (PSMC), on the Mennonite Mission Network board of directors, and the founder of “In the Loving Arms Ministries.” (learn more in the article from Mennonite Church USA celebrating Onye’s life) 

LA Faith Chapel hosted her homecoming service on Saturday, Feb. 24. Pastor Ertell Whigham was in attendance, and reflected, “It was an honor to represent Mosaic Conference during the Celebration of Life of LA Faith’s Pastor Sister Anthonia Onye. LA Faith Chapel’s celebration of the life and ministry of Pastor Onye was a spectacular witness to the transformative impact of a faithful servant of God.  

From the tribute shared by her son Chibike, to the commendations from others, her life and call to ministry in the church, community, and secular profession garnered words of appreciation such as “loving, wise, honorable, faithful, and committed”. 

Whigham continued, “The intercultural representation of those present was striking, as was the expressed appreciation for Pastor Onye and LA Faith’s relationship with our Anabaptist community. LA Faith Chapel is a resource for leadership development and community ministry and is a special gift to Mosaic Conference.” 

During the service, Whigham offered a resolution which read, in part, “We, the Executive Team of Mosaic Mennonite Conference…express our condolences and respect in memory of our sister in Christ, Anthonia Chibuzo Onye. 

We express our love and sympathy to sister Anthonia’s family, Pastor Chuwang Pam and his wife, Pastor Grace Pam, the pastors of LA Faith Chapel, and the brothers and sisters of LA Faith Chapel. We mourn with those who mourn, and we celebrate the life of our sister, whose testimony of a life lived in Christ’s footsteps, impacts the lives of those in this congregation, this community, Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, Mennonite Church USA, and beyond. 

May the testimony of her love for Jesus, commitment to peace, justice, reconciliation and service in the name of Christ continue to ripple out to those who need salvation and bring repentance and transformation in the name of Jesus. May the legacy of love she showed to her family, the church and the larger community continue to challenge us to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, our souls, and our strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

May the community of faith today be encouraged by the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  

Filed Under: Articles

Responding to God’s Call: Donella Clemens

March 7, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Eileen Kinch

When Donella Clemens was nominated to be the Mennonite Church’s moderator-elect in 1990, she took time to pray and think. She was the first woman to be nominated for this position, and she knew some people might not appreciate it. But, as she pointed out in Franconia Conference News at the time, “The call came from the church; therefore, it must be the church’s issue to deal with, not mine.” 

Clemens grew up in Belleville, Pa., in what had been the Conservative Mennonite Conference, now Rosedale Network. Her uncles were in leadership positions, and two of them were bishops. They strongly believed that if the church calls someone to do something, one must say yes; the voice of the church is as the voice of God. So Clemens said yes to the invitation to be the Mennonite Church’s moderator. 

She also said yes to other invitations. She became Franconia Conference’s first woman moderator in 1997. She was also the first woman board chair of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School (now Dock Academy).  

“Countless times I was the only woman on a committee,” she said. Sometimes she suggested ideas and the men did not listen. Then a man on the committee would make the same suggestions, and the rest of the committee implemented them. At times Clemens felt resistance from men but chose to interpret the resistance in a productive way. Her background in social work helped her navigate that resistance on many occasions. 

Donella Clemens, left, with her granddaughter, Katherine. Photo provided by Donna Clemens.

Clemens never sought leadership roles; they came to her. “I … feel so strongly that it’s out of God’s call on my life, that these calls came…. It’s what God put in front of me.” 

During her time as Franconia Conference moderator, Clemens felt it was God’s direction that Eastern District and Franconia Conference work together. 

“Jesus so clearly talks about having us come together…to work together and to be a light that loves each other,” Clemens said in a recent interview. She enjoyed the many committees that formed between members of Franconia Conference and Eastern District Conference around common interests and activities. One committee involved passionate librarians from each conference. 

Donella Clemens, bottom right, with her husband Wayne, bottom left, and grandchildren, at Christmas 2023. Photo by Donella Clemens.

A challenge for Clemens during her time as Franconia Conference moderator was discussion around homosexuality that resulted in Germantown being removed fromout Franconia Conference. The way people were treating each other at the time “was much worse than any decision that we would make” as a conference, she said.  

Clemens hopes that energy that goes into division can instead be put toward the love of Jesus. When the body of Christ comes together and learns to know each other through the love of Jesus, Clemens said, “everyone benefits.” 

Clemens served briefly as Franconia’s delegate to the General Board of the Mennonite Church. In 2000, she joined the Franconia Conference Ministry Team for six years and worked with Pennsylvania congregations Blooming Glen, Plains, Perkasie, and Deep Run East, as well as the congregations in Vermont. 

Since then, she served on the board of what is now called Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She has helped congregations with pastoral searches. She has also served on numerous committees and the ministry team at Perkasie (PA) Mennonite, her home congregation.  

We are grateful for Donella Clemens’ work to help lay the foundation of what would become Mosaic Conference, as well as to encourage others to respond to the call of God and the church. 


Eileen Kinch

Eileen Kinch holds a Master of Divinity degree, with an emphasis in the Ministry of Writing, from Earlham School of Religion. She and her husband, Joel Nofziger, who serves as director of the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, live near Tylersport, PA. They attend Methacton Mennonite Church. Eileen is also a member of Keystone Fellowship Friends Meeting in Lancaster County.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Women's History Month

Supporting Mosaic Leaders in Holistic Wellness

March 7, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Jennifer Svetlik

“Pastors are a gift to the church. Our role as a broader church community is to steward those gifts,” reflects Franco Salvatori, Stewardship Consultant at Everence. “For us at Everence, that means helping pastors find a healthy work-life balance and financial freedom in the context of their calling in God’s kingdom.”  

On March 3-4, 2024, 80 people, including more than 40 credentialed leaders, their spouses, and other Mosaic leaders from California, Florida, and Pennsylvania participated in a “Mosaic Leadership Day Away” in scenic Lambertville, NJ along the Delaware River.  

The Day Away was aimed at supporting pastors and their spouses in prioritizing holistic wellness, and was sponsored by Everence’s Pastoral Financial Wellness Program, funded, in part, by the Lilly Endowment Inc. 

The time of fellowship and retreat opened with a dinner and multi-instrumental, inspiring entertainment by Makinto (LA [CA] Faith Chapel) and Friends. Participants were drawn into the story as they laughed, reflected, and danced with gusto.  

The following day offered times of energetic, multilingual worship led by Dr. Rashard Allen (Neffsville [Lancaster, PA]), Laura Leatherman Alderfer (Salford [Harleysville, PA] and Methacton [Norristown, PA]), and Cindy Angela, Director of Communication (Philadelphia [PA] Praise Center). A prayer team from Zion (Souderton, PA) was onsite to pray for leaders, their families, and their ministries, and a time of anointing was offered.  

Associate Executive Minister Marta Castillo and Leadership Minster for Missional Transformation Noel Santiago led sessions focused on Sabbath Rest. The sessions included small and large group reflection on sabbath practices in times of unrest and stress, Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath, and how the Spirit moves us to receive the gift of rest.  

Rest was also part of the Day Away, with massage sessions available, and an extended break that allowed participants to walk and explore the town.  

“Being a new pastor, I was glad to meet other pastors within Mosaic and share what we have in common as the Body of Christ,” shared Joe Brooks, pastor of College Hill Mennonite (Tampa, FL). “I received a very warm welcome, and I really enjoyed the music! I am grateful to further my leadership training and to think about how our church life and financial lives are connected.”  

Two sessions were offered on financial and holistic wellness, and one-on-one sessions with Everence Financial Advisors were also made available to participants. 

“Pastors face unique challenges when it comes to financial wellness, in their own lives, and the dynamics of their conversations,” shared Everence Managing Director Randy Nyce during a presentation on Developing Financial Wellness. “Pastors are not trained as nonprofit leaders, yet they often find themselves needing to function that way, knowing how to read balance sheets and raise funds.”  

“I found the financial sessions most interesting,” shared Dania Maritza Hernández, pastor of Peña de Horeb (Philadelphia, PA). “It is very important for pastors to understand how to do business; it allows us to have a stronger vision for our congregations’ future and the work God has called us to.”  

The final session was led by Leonard Dow, Everence Vice President of Community and Church Development, on Developing Holistic Wellness. Drawing from Zec 4:10, Dow invited leaders to pay attention to the “small beginnings” that God is birthing in our communities, that will bring God honor.  

As pastors and leaders left to return to their congregations and ministries, they felt refreshed, more connected to others in ministry, and more resourced for their work.  


Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Communication Associate/Editor for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family. 

Filed Under: Articles

Three Things Shaping Mosaic Four Years Later 

February 29, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Stephen Kriss, Executive Minister

It’s been four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; ¿Qué onda? (Spanish for “what’s the wave?” or “what’s up?”). 

Last Sunday, I sat in the living room of Josué and Nohemi Gonzalez’s home in Pembroke Pines, Florida for the worship gathering of Resplandece Mennonite Church. Resplandece is one of the half-dozen new congregations that have emerged with connections to Mosaic in the last year. And it is one of three Mosaic communities that meet mainly through Zoom This Sunday, the worship was moderated from Florida by Josué and the sermon and music-leading from Barranquilla, Colombia by church-planting pastor Manuel García Noriega and his family. 

Admittedly, I was skeptical of this model. I have been skeptical about Zoom worship since the first time I preached with Wellspring Church of Skippack (PA) from my front porch at the beginning of the pandemic. I was frustrated with the seemingly disembodied reality of Zoom worship and technological glitches. However, even that Sunday, while I focused on what was lacking, the worship moderator, Eloise Meneses, made sure that everyone was seen, heard, and acknowledged. In the isolation of the pandemic, that was the most important thing. The good news was less about my sermon and more about the community, gathered in the way that we could, in a time of confusion and disconnection. 

Four years later, we are using this technology differently, and it is changing us. Several of our worshipping communities offer hybrid worship and many more stream their services online. Bible studies and meetings are on Zoom. The work of the church continues with technology, and we are navigating how to be church differently.  

Resplandece highlights something else for us: Human migration is also transforming Mosaic. Those who gather online are scattered from Colombia to New York City, and most are from Colombia or Venezuela. We have added Spanish-speaking staff to keep up with the rapid growth of the Spanish-speaking community in our midst. New Russian-speaking and Haitian communities have also emerged.  

In Philadelphia, which is also a center for our growth, some immigrant communities have almost doubled in size since 2020. We have three Spanish-speaking communities in Philadelphia led by pastors from the Dominican Republic, Central America, and Mexico. Migration will continue to shape Mosaic as it has since our beginning as a Conference 300 years ago when the first families arrived in Pennsylvania from Europe. 

The third thing shaping Mosaic is the political landscape. We are in an election year, like we were in the onset of the pandemic. However, it is not only U.S. political realities that challenge us. The elections in Indonesia last week deeply affect the 10% of Mosaic with roots there. The sociopolitical collapses in Venezuela and Haiti also shape us as persons flee those countries under new U.S. visa policies. The war in Ukraine and the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexander Navalny impact our communities too. We have always been shaped by political climates, and we must remain focused on our Jesus-centered faith despite political differences.  

Changes in technology, human migration, and global and local politics are not new. Our Anabaptist movement was spurred on by the printing press that made Bibles accessible, by migration in Europe and into the Western Hemisphere, and by the politics of the time. Though they may appear as threats, they are “waves” we have navigated in the past and will continue to experience. Ignoring them is not an option.  

We don’t always need to agree on the best responses to these challenges to live faithfully and vibrantly into the future. We have a history of learning to ride the waves. And Jesus, who demonstrated how it is possible to even walk on water, and who can calm the storms around us and within us, is always still with us. 


Stephen Kriss

Stephen Kriss is the Executive Minister of Mosaic Mennonite Conference.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Stephen Kriss

Visioning for the Hard Work of Leadership 

February 29, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Rose Bender Cook

Being an effective leader is hard work. Healthy leaders with integrity, humility, courage, and vision seem rare. In our current political arena, power conflicts and personal agendas prevent collaboration and creative problem-solving. In our congregations, conferences, and denomination, we have similar challenges. It’s a difficult time to lead. Leaders need our prayers.   

This year, I started the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) in Leadership program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). Initially, I spent time assessing my strengths and weaknesses and realized I have blind spots I don’t even recognize yet. As I look back over 13 years as a pastor at Whitehall (PA) and reflect on my new position at Mosaic, I am humbled. This is sacred work. I want to be effective, but even more, I want to be faithful. 

Scripture teaches us much about leadership. I am convicted when I read about Moses’ workaholism, over-functioning, and lack of time with family which had to be corrected by his father-in-law (Exodus 18). I identify with Elijah’s repeated narrative that he was the only one left to do God’s work (1 Kings 19). I am challenged by Esther’s courage to be a voice for her people at great personal risk (Esther 8). I am inspired by Peter’s willingness to adapt when he witnessed the outpouring of the Spirit at Cornelius’ home (Acts 10).

Then, there is Jesus. His times of prayer grounded him so that he wasn’t swayed by the pressure of the crowd (Mark 1: 35-39). He was focused on the plan of the Father, and yet flexible, stopping to raise the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7) and healing the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7).    

As a part of the D.Min program, I was asked to develop a vision statement for my leadership growth.  After prayer, discernment, and some fear and trembling, I submitted this: 

To be grounded, gracious, and Spirit-led–opening space for everyone to take their place at God’s table.   

Each part of that vision invites me to growth and into spaces that are uncomfortable. I wonder if I can live up to this call. Will I apply the discipline it takes to stay grounded? Will I grow in joyful patience and generous love so I can be truly gracious? Will I surrender my ego and agenda to follow the Spirit’s prompting?  

Will I be able to imagine the big table of God (Luke 13: 29-30; 14:21-23) which looks different from the table I would set? How will I clear space for those who have no power to share their voice? How do I welcome others as Christ has welcomed me? (Romans 15:7) How do I love the stranger, the enemy, as well as the brother or sister who comes from a different theological perspective than I do?   

There are plenty of times where it seems easier to throw in the towel on this leadership journey.  According to the scriptures, I am in good company. But I serve a God who is faithful, who always provides what is needed to live into the call we’ve been given.  

I pray for discernment as I listen to the Spirit and for the courage to obey. As I relate to other leaders and those in my care, I want to be loving, tender-hearted, and humble (1 Peter 3:8). This is God’s church, God’s table, God’s mission, and I have been invited to join. Instead of relying on my own leadership abilities, I will trust fully in the One who began this good work and will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6).   


Rose Bender Cook

Rose Bender Cook is the Leadership Minister for Formation and the Mosaic Institute Director. She is also a pastor at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Rose Bender Cook

Naked Ash Wednesday 

February 29, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Gary Alloway

Over the past two years, Redemption (our church) has hosted a book club at the local brewery. We have discussed everything from Flannery O’Conner to Walter Wink, trying to engage with books that give people wider perspectives on faith. And since our local brewery is called Naked Brewery, book club is affectionately known as Naked Book Club (*clothes required*).   

Part of the reason the book club has worked is because we have been hosted by Crystal the Bartender. Crystal loves us. Crystal is for us. Crystal has become a personal friend. Crystal is our best evangelist for the book club. Crystal wouldn’t call herself a Christian, but she is our person of peace, that weird person Jesus speaks about in Luke 10, who will apparently receive you indefinitely when you go out on mission.  

So when Ash Wednesday came around this year and we had a scheduling conflict at our church building, we asked Crystal if we could have the service at the brewery. She got excited about it and said “Sure!” And thus was born the first ever Naked Ash Wednesday.   

Crystal, a bartender at Naked Brewery, and a “person of peace” for Redemption Church of Bristol. Photos provided by Gary Alloway.

It should be said, Naked Brewery is in a 19th-century building in Bristol and like many old Bristol buildings, the basement is about as spooky as can be. Ceilings are low, river stones protrude from the walls, weird nooks lead you into darkened corners. It is a perfect place for an Ash Wednesday service. It is a perfect place to remember your mortality. We invited people to come early for a last beer before Lent. And then we remembered that we have come from dust and to dust we shall return. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. 

Participants in the Naked Ash Wednesday service led by Redemption Church of Bristol, at the Naked Brewery.
Participants in the Naked Ash Wednesday service led by Redemption Church of Bristol, at the Naked Brewery.
Participants in the Naked Ash Wednesday service led by Redemption Church of Bristol, at the Naked Brewery.

As we emerged from the basement, Crystal asked, “Do you have any ashes left? You might need to get everyone up here?” We gave ashes to a few people and probably could have given them to more. Honestly, our sheepishness was more the limitation than any sort of hostility to our presence there. It seems that the longstanding symbols of the church still have meaning and resonance in an age of secularism.

As we packed up, Crystal was anxious to know how the service went and excited to hear of its success. And then she gave us another indefinite invitation: “What about next year? You guys want to do it again? Should we book this as an annual tradition?” 

Jesus tells us that when we find the person of peace, don’t move around. Stay put and be present to the work of God in that place. So it sounds like we are on the hook for next year.  It sounds like this was the first of many Naked Ash Wednesdays.   


Gary Alloway

Gary Alloway is a pastor and church planter of Redemption Church of Bristol (PA), which is a Mosaic Partner in Ministry and was founded in 2009.  Gary serves with his wife, Susan, and his children, Augie (9) and Rosey (7), 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. 

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Gary Alloway, Redemption Church Bristol

I did not feel worthy: the call of Pastor Fernando Loyola (Centro de Alabanza) 

February 22, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Fernando Loyola

Transcribed and translated by Andrés Castillo

In my father’s room I stumbled across a Bible passage: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mat 5:8). I did not consider myself pure in heart—on the contrary, in those days I was an alcoholic and had been abusing my authority as a policeman. I began to cry. 

In this context, in Mexico, I received my call. I was neither a Christian nor did I know what it meant to read the Bible. 

One day, the desire to follow Christ came to me, but I didn’t know where to start. I told my mother, who simply responded, “you already follow Christ.” While it was true that my family was Catholic, I knew that even drug traffickers in my country aligned with the Catholic faith. I replied, “I feel like there is more to following Christ.” 

One day my older brother introduced me to Kirk Hanger, a Mennonite missionary, and through him I learned about the gospel. I started going to church, where I met my wife, Letty. I began studying and became a teacher. Although I still didn’t understand what it meant to follow Christ, I wasn’t drinking, and things were going better for me. 

Unfortunately, the increased salary of the new job influenced me, and I relapsed. I stopped going to church and my wife’s leadership role was taken away. I began to be mentally and verbally abusive to her, which caused her to leave me and take our two daughters with her. I reacted by doing what I knew best: I drank. 

I was ready to let myself die, so much so that I ended up with alcohol poisoning and my sister, a nurse, aided me in recovery. The Lord reminded me of something I had once said: “God, I know You exist, but I want to live my life my way.” 

I went to a rehabilitation center. During my time there, I felt that the Lord was calling me to go to the United States. I knew my wife, Letty, was there and while I was finishing my rehabilitation program, she called me and invited me to come reunite with her. 

Despite the possible dangers, I believed it was what I should do. “Don’t the United States belong to me?” God asked me. The next day I started the journey and managed to get to Denver, where my wife lived. This call really was from God. 

In Denver, Letty and I went to church, worked, and lived “the American dream.” One day through Kirk Hanger my wife received a call to go to Philadelphia. I was helping her there when we suddenly received a call; Aldo Siahaan from Philadelphia Praise Center (PPC) was looking for a pastor who could help engage the Hispanic community. 

Shortly after accepting PPC’s invitation, people began to call me “pastor.” I did not feel worthy. I prayed, “God, confirm this call, and may there be no shortage of food in my house.” 

We now live a few minutes’ walk from Centro de Alabanza’s new building, which is undergoing renovations. I am studying at Anabaptist Mennonite Bible Seminary (AMBS). Some members of the church are studying with the Anabaptist Bible Institute (IBA) and with the Hispanic Anabaptist Bible Seminary (SeBAH) and my wife and I lead Bible studies. 

We have two daughters: Fernanda, 22, who supports with praise by playing the piano; and Daniela, 19, who is studying law. My hobbies are watching movies based on real events with my wife and reading about Biblical topics. 

Filed Under: Articles, Call to Ministry Stories Tagged With: Call to Ministry, Centro de Alabanza, Fernando Loyola

Hatching Compassion 

February 22, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Sharon Hernandez, Editorial Content Specialist, Everence

Editor’s Note: This year, Everence will honor Ivan and Evelyn Moyer, Leon and Karen Moyer, and Eileen and Jeryl Knechel with their National Journey Award. The Moyers were longtime members of the former Rocky Ridge (Quakertown, PA) congregation. An Everence Journey Award honors people who live out the faithful stewardship of their God-given gifts. The presentation will take place at Quakertown (PA) Christian School on March 24, 2024 at 4pm. 

The original, longer version of this article first appeared on Everence’s Everyday Stewardship. 

Ernest and Verna Moyer started their business, Moyer’s Chicks, in Quakertown, Pa., in 1946. Through their business and their lifestyle, they instilled in their children – Ivan, Leon and Eileen – lifelong values of generosity, humility and compassion.

Their story is one of generosity and love across family, community and the world at large, spanning decades and impacting generations.

Siblings Ivan, Eileen and Leon at the hatchery their parents, Ernest and Verna Moyer, built outside of Quakertown, Pa. Photo published on Everence’s Everyday Stewardship.

While still in their late teens, Ernest and Verna began assisting with a small Mennonite mission station outside Quakertown, an hour north of Philadelphia, initiated in part by Verna’s older brother Linford Hackman.

They married in 1936 and Ivan was born two years later. As their commitment to this mission work intensified, they and other like-minded Mennonite families decided to move there to start a new community infused with a gospel-centric lifestyle.

Within a year of returning home from a Civilian Public Service assignment, Ernest bought some land, built a home for his family and started his hatchery business. He famously made his first delivery of chicks in his 1941 Oldsmobile sedan during a snowstorm in January 1947.

Unbeknownst even to Ernest at the time, the hatchery would become so much more than a lucrative business, it would be a means for helping his community and missionaries abroad.

In 1950 Ernest became the lay pastor of the Rocky Ridge Mennonite Mission and continued in this pastoral role into the late 1980s. In 1951 he also cofounded Quakertown Christian School, at which he served as board chair in its early years.

“It is not an overstatement to say that the Moyer family embodies the biblical idea of stewardship.” said Franco Salvatori, Everence Stewardship Consultant and pastor of Rocky Ridge from 2010-2020. The Moyers were no strangers to trying new programs to help communities, and the family regularly engaged in mission work across the country and abroad.

In 1953, Ernest connected with Mennonite missionaries in Puerto Rico and began a partnership in which Moyer’s Chicks shipped them about 500 chicks every other week to eventually 10,000 weekly.

Ernest also flew to Puerto Rico about four times a year to assist with agricultural and community development projects – and, eventually, opened a satellite hatchery on the island in 1960, which continued on into the 1980s. 

It was no surprise, then, that giving would be second nature for their children. To them, sharing of their time and resources with the community and the world around them was all they knew, said Leon Moyer. In time, Ivan, Leon and Eileen also would pass these values to their children. 

None of Ernest’s children felt obligated to return to the hatchery after going to school – Leon lived abroad for many years in Haiti and Bolivia, involved in mission work – but ultimately, they all returned to the family business. 

Under the direction of a new generation of Moyers, the business continued finding ways to give back. Nowadays the family – having sold the hatchery and retiring in 2020 – is still active in the community, serving on boards and continuing their volunteer work in other ways. Ivan meets with a local group of community leaders from around the world. Leon and his wife help immigrants settle in the community. And Eileen and Jeryl donate hours of time and machinery work at Spruce Lake Retreat, a Christian retreat center and camp in northeast Pennsylvania. 

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Everence, Rocky Ridge

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