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Opening My Eyes: Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip 2021

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The Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip (July 16-24) was an eye-opening experience. I co-led this group, sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network, and we visited landmarks of the US Civil Rights Movement of the 1950-60s to learn why our faith calls us to stand against injustice and with the oppressed.

Four youth from Mosaic Conference and I had the opportunity to go on this trip and it was truly remarkable. On this trip we visited different civil rights locations, from museums to national landmarks. On some of our stops we spoke to people who experienced civil injustice firsthand during the 1950-60s, providing us a firsthand view on how African-Americans were treated.

Inside the Lorraine Motel Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The wall reads, “And in a real sense, we are moving and we cannot afford to stop…” Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

This opportunity allowed me to see and learn about things and people in a whole new way. The most impactful day for me was when we visited the Lynching Memorial at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL. At the memorial were pillars filled with the names of lynching victims from almost every county in the US. As I read the names, I was so impacted, thinking about what they must have gone through in those moments. There were even stories of how some people were lynched for reasons that today would be considered ridiculous. It was truly eye-opening to learn about all the struggles people went through in the past simply for looking different. I thought I knew about civil rights until I saw and read some of the stories.

Another museum we visited was the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This is the famous motel where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated on the balcony in 1968. As we made our way through the museum, we were able to see things King did, but also what other civil rights activists did in the 60s. It was a truly educational experience.

The Vouth Venture Group, outside of a house they painted as part of service in the community.

The trip challenged my way of thinking and made me see things from a perspective I thought I understood. I learned more about the injustice that African-Americans went through during this time. As a result of this trip, I am challenged to remember that I have a voice to speak up and defend those who cannot, just like the Bible instructs us to do.

This trip was not only impactful to me but also for the youth who joined me. The value of knowing and understanding history allows us to work to make a difference in today’s society, even if we still have struggles today. Working alongside Mennonite Mission Network for this trip was great, and I hope to partner up and do something like this again in the future. A big thank you to everyone who made this trip happen!

From July 16-24, four Mosaic youth participated in a Youth Venture Civil Rights Learning Tour. Here are some of their reflections from the trip.
“On the trip, I saw this quote, “The human family might be of many colors, but they’re still human, and they possess the personality, the image, the likeness of God, in many ways. So, it is my hope that we can live together and work together… and try to accomplish something in the period of time we’ve got.”
Amzie Moore
“The youth venture trip exceeded my expectations immensely. This trip expanded my view of America’s history with slavery and oppression but also enhanced my view from a Christian stand point. Racial tension has always been a problem in America but the spiritual aspect of the struggle as an American of color hasn’t really been explored all too much, so being able to experience that is really eye opening. It invited challenging conversations with my inner dialogue and with the people who went on the trip with me.

The guest speakers and tour guides introduced us to a whole other experience. Some of the tour guides/speakers actually went through the civil rights movement and gave us a firsthand account of the movement. We were able to see the struggle through their eyes and hands but also the progress through their expression and behavior.

This trip challenged my way of thinking, mentally and spiritually, and invited me to act out against injustice in a way that hasn’t been shown to me before.”
Joshua DeLaRosa
Age 15, Davenport, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
This trip was meaningful to me in every way. Although I’m a minority, I’m not Black. These aren’t just stories; they’re history and we shouldn’t bury it. I see that a lot, and it disappoints me because no one is willing to deal with the prejudice and injustice that we still see today. I hope everyone can educate themselves & treat others the way they want to be treated.”
Jennifer Colon
Age 18, Orlando, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
“During the Civil Rights Youth Venture trip, I learned what it truly meant to be a person of color during the Civil Rights era in the US. Being a part of this trip allowed me to really see outside of my own “box” and understand what it means to make an attempt to change civil rights today.

I feel like God used this trip to help me understand the spiritual weight behind everything that went on and still goes on to this day. All in all, the youth venture trip was a blessing for my life and I am glad I was able to learn from and experience this trip.”
Isaac Ramirez
Age 20, Orlando, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
“This trip helped me to be open mind and see how other people live. It showed that not everything in life is easy and to be grateful for what I have in my life.

There was this sign in a museum that said, “No negro, No Puerto Rican, No Mexican.” This sign really struck me because I am Puerto Rican and Mexican, but I also get mistaken for Black. I could only imagine how I would have been treated if that sign were present for me in the 1950s.
I would rate the trip a 5/5.

I loved it and would love to go on another one in the future.”
Jose DeLaRosa
Age 19, Davenport, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
  • Inside the Lorraine Motel Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The wall reads, “And in a real sense, we are moving and we cannot afford to stop…”
  • “This picture was while we were in Tennessee & I liked it because it really explained part of today’s struggles.” Photo and caption by Jennifer Colon.
  • The group poses outside of a museum in Mississippi. Photo by Jose DeLaRosa.
  • “Seeing this depiction of slaves (at the National Civil Rights Museum) being transported on a boat really opened my eyes to see how bad slavery really was. I felt a combination of anger, disgust, confusion, and just an overall desire to push for a change in today’s civil rights.” – Isaac Ramirez
  • “It’s my favorite picture because we were able to help and do stuff in the community and showed me how being active in a community can help.” – Joshua DeLaRosa

A Life Well Lived: Remembering Ruben Mercado

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Ruben Mercado, a pastor and missionary with close ties to Mosaic Conference, died on June 9, 2021 from COVID-19. He was 50 years old. Photo provided by Kirk Hanger.

Ruben Mercado grew up on the streets of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a drug addict who stole and ran with gangs to survive. At the age of 19, he had a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ that transformed his life. He became a pastor and leader in the Evangelical Anabaptist Church of Bolivia (LIEAB).

In 1997, the Mercado family was sent to Mexico City as missionaries to work with the United Committee for Anabaptist Mission (CUMA), an inter-Mennonite effort to plant churches in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. After 12 years of ministry in Mexico, the Mercados returned to Bolivia where Ruben was the pastor of the Light and Truth Church in Santa Cruz and a mentor to pastors and leaders.

Sadly, Ruben Mercado passed away on June 9, 2021 from COVID-19. He was 50 years old. He is survived by his wife, Guadalupe, daughters Heidy and Abigail (married to Franz), and a granddaughter, Hannah.

I met Ruben and his family the day they arrived in Mexico City where we had been sent by Franconia Mennonite Conference to serve as church planting missionaries. We became close friends and worked together for 24 years. Out of our shared vision for church planting, leadership development, and sending Latinos to areas with little or no Christian witness, we formed the International Network of Missionary Churches / Red de Iglesias Misionaras Internacional (RIMI), a partner in ministry with Mosaic Mennonite Conference. Today RIMI is made up of over 100 churches and church plants in 13 countries.

In 2012, while visiting Ecuador, Ruben noticed the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations. The modern building was surrounded by the colorful flags of its member nations. Ruben thought, how much more should Christian youth of Latin America come together to be encouraged and equipped to participate in God’s mission in the world? Out of that experience, the vision for Generacion Sana / Wholesome Generation was born.

Generacion Sana holds an annual conference that brings youth together from different countries for training and building relationships. Since 2014, Generacion Sana conferences have been held in Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Bolivia and most recently in Venezuela where over 1000 youth participated. Due to the pandemic, Generacion Sana conferences were suspended in 2020 and 2021, but plans to resume in 2022, possibly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As a gifted evangelist, Ruben preached in churches, stadiums, streets and fields. He effectively used radio, television, and the internet to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ. Several years ago, Franconia Conference provided funds to produce a video of Ruben’s testimony which has been used as an evangelistic tool in many countries. Through Ruben’s encouragement, new radio stations were started in Mexico. He was also the co-host of the weekly program, Consejo Oportuno / An Opportune Word.

Ruben never ceased to be amazed by the grace and power of God who took a young drug addict off the streets of Santa Cruz and gave him the opportunity to preach to the nations. He rejoiced to see other lives transformed by the same Lord who changed his. Ruben now joins that great cloud of witnesses. The memory of his life well lived for Christ encourages and challenges us to live our lives fully for Christ and God’s mission in the world.

Ruben Mercado (right) with his wife, Guadalupe. Photo provided by Kirk Hanger.

My Cry of Terror

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My friend, Jorge, and I had been climbing the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia for more than six hours. The rolls of bread we bought in the early morning were now battered and hard as a stone; we decided to throw them away. We hoped to soon find a place to buy food and water.

The road up the mountain was lonely, and we couldn’t find any place to stock up on water and food. Soon it was dark, and we couldn’t see the road. We found an abandoned house, desolate, without doors or windows.  We spent the night on the floor of that house. We were hungry and thirsty. We regretted having thrown away the stale bread that would have turned into a feast. As the saying goes, “With hunger, there is no stale bread.”

In the early morning darkness, I was awakened to giant eyes staring at me, embedded in a horrible, horned face only half a meter away.  I stuck my head through the window. I let out a cry of terror that woke up my friend Jorge and echoed through the mountain. The face with the giant eyes that were watching me opened its mouth and emitted a low, “Mooo,” as hideous as my scream. The cow and I were terrified of each other. All three of us experienced a tremendous terror.

After the terror of the encounter with the cow, the first rays of the sun were beginning to appear. In the distance, far down the mountain, we saw smoke rising from what looked like a house. We went down to find peasants who offered us two large cups of coffee, sweetened with sugar cane molasses. This sweet coffee gave us enough energy to continue on our way.

I was 17 years old when this story happened. Throughout my life, I have thought of this story as I reflected on the Lord’s prayer, especially “Lord, give us today our daily bread.”

I recently learned that a high percentage of US households throw away approximately $100 worth of food in good condition, each month. This food, bought in excess and then thrown away while still viable, is worth approximately $1,200/year.  As a result, my wife and I made the decision to not buy food in excess. We prefer to visit the supermarket more frequently and consume the food we buy, so that little goes to waste.

How MennoCon21 and Youth Service Week Impacted my Life

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Editor’s note: Evan Hostetler, a Mosaic youth, attended, with other Mosaic youth, MennoCon21 (July 6-10) in Cincinnati, OH and participated in “Love Where You’re At,” a Mosaic-sponsored youth service week (July 12-15) in eastern PA.  

In order to fully understand my convention experience, you need to realize that this is the first convention (Mennonite or not) I’ve ever been to … period. For me, walking into my first full day of convention was rattling. It was not what I expected. I had always heard that people went to convention, but I never knew what the scene and day consisted of.  

The energy was welcoming and overpowering. The seminars were engaging and impactful. The worship was freeing and uniting. This convention blew my world away. Though I was told how downsized this 2021 convention was, it still felt like something to behold.  

I appreciated how I could read what a seminar would be about in the convention program and pick the one that interested me. Almost every seminar I chose offered new insights. The ones designed for youth allowed our respective tables to engage in conversation about our views on the topic at hand. That was something I hadn’t done in a long time. I made new friends at these seminars, as our thoughts mingled.  

Meeting people in the recreation area was also a blast. There were some intense games of ultimate frisbee, as well as some chill games of pickleball. Everyone I met there was friendly and welcoming – a pleasant Mennonite atmosphere. Of course, I didn’t just meet awesome people, but traveled with them as well. The relationships forged will be treasured memories, and hopefully will continue beyond.  

At the end of the day, groups filed out of the Duke Energy Convention Center, and we all made our way to bed. Psych! We all met up in my hotel room and stayed up not too late because I eventually kicked them out. My sleep is precious.  

But each fun-filled, productive day left out one very important exercise… reflection. Regret. I loved each seminar I attended to the core, but I can barely remember them to this day. Nevertheless, it was still an excellent experience that I will write about in my college essay. 

After attending MennoCon21 from July 6-10, youth from Zion (Souderton, PA), Salford (Harleysville, PA), and Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA), participated in Mosaic’s “Love Where You’re At” youth service week (July 12-15), which comprised of local service projects, worship, and group activities.  

Youth from Salford, Zion, and Deep Run East participated in a week of local service and worship in mid-July. Photo by Jordan Luther.
Youth from Salford, Zion, and Deep Run East participated in a week of local service and worship in mid-July. Photo by Jordan Luther.
Youth from Salford, Zion, and Deep Run East participated in a week of local service and worship in mid-July. Photo by Jordan Luther.
Youth from Salford, Zion, and Deep Run East participated in a week of local service and worship in mid-July. Photo by Jordan Luther.
Youth from Salford, Zion, and Deep Run East participated in a week of local service and worship in mid-July. Photo by Maria Hosler Byler.
Youth from Salford, Zion, and Deep Run East participated in a week of local service and worship in mid-July. Photo by Maria Hosler Byler.

Service week was initially less exhilarating than convention. The issue was – I kept comparing it to convention and it just didn’t reach that bar. That was initially the case … and then Pastor Scott Roth (of Line Lexington (PA) Mennonite) appeared.  

Bike & Sol Director, Scott Roth (left), works with 2 youth in the bike shop. Photo provided by Scott Roth.

On day two, the Salford youth group volunteered at Bike & Sol, a Conference Related Ministry, where Pastor Scott Roth is Director. I gobbled up the opportunity to serve. During lunch, Pastor Scott gave an excellent, interactive speech challenging our beliefs about God and service work.  

Fortunately, I got to see Pastor Scott later in the week. He spoke at Zion for one of our joint worship sessions. After his second talk, I approached him, and had a nice, long conversation about seeing and interpreting God in our daily lives. I learned a lot about myself and God from Pastor Scott that week. The other speakers from the week were also superb, as were the group activities.  

I hope you got a sense of how impactful convention and service week were for me this summer. 

Even youth (from Zion Mennonite in Souderton, PA) run out of energy after a full day of activities together. Photo by Luther Jordan.

Age and Culture Should Not be a Barrier: Young People to Learn From This Summer, Part III

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Editor’s Note: This summer, six young adult interns have served Mosaic congregations. Five interns are participating in the Summer Service Program, a ten-week program for young adults of color sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). This article highlights two of Mosaic’s summer interns. To read about the other four interns, read the first part and the second part of this series.

Spencer Garrison has spent this summer as a pastoral intern with Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church and Ripple (Allentown, PA). He also has been serving with Ripple Community Inc, Ripple’s community center, sometimes helping in the kitchen and spending time with people. On Wednesday evenings, Garrison works in Ripple’s community garden and then helps distribute food to people in need. Some days, he helps the pastors lead worship or devotions.

Garrison grew up on a farm in West Salem, Ohio, and wanted a broader cultural experience this summer than his rural upbringing. In high school, Garrison became interested in Spanish and speaking with people who were different than him. While studying Spanish and business at Bluffton (OH) University, he noticed something that bothered him.

“Our chapels [at Bluffton] aren’t very diverse,” he said. Kingdom building is an important part of Garrison’s faith. “I don’t want culture or language or anything to be a barrier to enter the Kingdom. Everyone deserves a chance to come see what it’s all about.”

Garrison described another challenge for him: wanting to do work that matters in a short amount of time. He has learned to emphasize “restorative practices, not just charity work.” Living with and talking to people are indispensable to him while ministering.

In June, Garrison attended a COVID-19 trauma healing workshop for Mosaic leaders. He felt a good sense of community, however, he was the youngest person there, as well as the youngest person working at Ripple and Whitehall this summer. Like race, culture, or language, he doesn’t want age to be a barrier to serve and learn. Young people are a large, under-used force, and he hopes that they will be more involved in future Mosaic activities.

Garrison is a whiz at music production, loves to worship, and enjoys hiking, singing, and playing guitar. He also plays baseball for Bluffton University.

Rachel Hannanto is a Summer Service Program intern, serving as a Sunday school teacher’s aide, at International Worship Church in San Marino, CA. Hannanto is supporting five to seven years old this summer. Since children are not yet vaccinated for COVID-19, Hannanto’s work has primarily been done remotely. She researches and creates content for basic biblical stories that emphasizes wholesome deeds, assigns homework, requests talent videos (song, dance, etc.), and gives weekly presentations through Zoom.

Originally she felt challenged to simplify concepts and condense her vocabulary in her ministry to children. However, while working through these challenges, she discovered that the children are much smarter than they get credit for from adults.

International Worship Church is Hannanto’s home church, where her father, Pastor Buddy Hannanto, has pastored for over 25 years. Hannanto says she is proud to support and serve in her church.

Hannanto has learned that positive energy and confidence in your leadership can truly impact others. “Always approach the next opportunity that comes your way with courage and optimism,” she says. Hannanto has always believed that her goals will ultimately revolve around good people she loves and can laugh with. “I want to be a radiating, confident leader who can aid those who are overlooked and in need,” shares Hannanto. “The people you spend time with and create memorable relationships with … are what matters most.”

Hannanto and has an education background from Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University. She is developing a pollinator-friendly backyard, directly supporting the endangered Monarch Butterfly population. She enjoys tending her garden, eating sushi, reading or watching anything in the horror genre, and swimming.

Dock Mennonite Academy Releases Investigation Findings

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On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Dock Mennonite Academy released a letter to their school community and Mosaic Conference staff about the findings of their investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.  Since the allegations were made public in March, Conference staff have remained in conversation with Dock’s board and administration, local law enforcement, and Dove’s Nest. 

In April, the Conference committed to waiting for the results of Dock Academy’s civil rights/Title IX investigation before pursuing any internal review processes.  Dock’s investigation has been completed.  Our board and committees are now working with conference staff to discern next steps and will share additional information by September 10.  Conference leadership anticipates a response shaped by our commitments of support and accountability reflected in the Conference Giving and Receiving Counsel document and within the structure that Eastern District and Franconia Conference delegates approved in the reconciliation process that formed our new conference in 2020. 

Mosaic Conference has partnered with Dove’s Nest to provide resources for individuals, youth groups, and congregations on preventing and responding to situations of abuse or boundary-violation.  Additionally, John Drescher-Lehman’s series of articles on understanding the trauma of abuse is now available as a printable pdf resource.  Dove’s Nest continues to be available to congregations for policy reviews, Zoom or in-person trainings for adult volunteers, and general consultation. 

Mosaic Conference takes allegations of abuse or misconduct seriously (resources on church safety).  Please report any suspected child abuse within your ministry context to your state’s hotline: 

CA: list of phone numbers by county 
FL: 1-800-962-2873 
MD: list of phone numbers by county 
NJ: 1-877-652-2873 
NY: 1-800-342-3720 
PA: 1-800-932-0313 
VT: 1-800-649-5285 

Penn Foundation Joins St. Luke’s

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The Loux Center of St. Luke’s Penn Foundation, a CRM.
Photo provided by Penn Foundation.

Penn Foundation, a Mosaic Conference Related Ministry (CRM), and St. Luke’s University Health Network are pleased to announce the completion of their merger, effective July 1, 2021. Penn Foundation is now part of St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Penn Foundation will retain its affiliation with Mosaic Conference as a Conference Related Ministry (CRM). This connection to its Anabaptist faith heritage will continue to shape the ministry of Penn Foundation as it grows in its role and reach in partnership with St. Luke’s.

Headquartered in Sellersville, PA, Penn Foundation is a nonprofit, community-based behavioral health provider with 25 behavioral health and substance use treatment programs that serve approximately 20,000 individuals annually. St. Luke’s is a regional health network with 12 hospital campuses and more than 300 outpatient sites serving 11 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Wayne A. Mugrauer, who will remain President of St. Luke’s Penn Foundation, said, “Penn Foundation is fortunate to be well-positioned to make this strategic change for the future health of our community. Joining St. Luke’s University Health Network assures continued regional access to high-quality behavioral healthcare that is fully integrated with general medicine.”

The St. Luke’s Penn Foundation partnership was unanimously approved last fall by the Board of Directors of Penn Foundation and the Board of Trustees of St. Luke’s. Securing regulatory approval from various agencies followed the votes and was completed this spring.

Now that Penn Foundation is part of St. Luke’s, St. Luke’s operates the largest nonprofit network of inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services in eastern Pennsylvania. The Network’s combined services establish a comprehensive continuum of care to treat patients with behavioral health and substance use disorders.

“Mosaic Conference is grateful for the good work Penn Foundation has done since 1955,” says Margaret Zook, Director of Collaborative Ministries at Mosaic Conference. “Penn Foundation ‘quietly shone a light’ as a faith-based leader in creative initiatives as it pioneered responsive and innovative approaches in behavioral health. We trust that this new partnership will empower Penn Foundation in its support of local congregations, pastors, and their communities.”

Penn Foundation’s merger with St. Luke’s comes at a time when the demand for behavioral health services is rapidly rising. Rates of depression, anxiety, suicide and substance use disorder have surged because of the global pandemic.

From Banker to Pastor: A Story of God’s Call

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God always has a purpose and special call for us. Prior to moving to the US in 2015, I was a banker in one of biggest banks in Indonesia. In Indonesia, I had a good life with a very good job, great salary, and excellent benefits. I also enjoyed serving in my church as a youth pastor and worship leader. I thought that I could be a businesswoman while doing ministry in the church. However, God had a different plan for my life.

One day, as I was riding my motorcycle to church to lead youth group, God spoke to me. It was raining very hard, and it was hard to drive. During that difficult moment, I felt God asking me, “Lia, do you love me?”

I said, “Yes, Lord.”

And God said, “Feed my sheep.”

I replied, “I do. I am serving in the ministry as youth pastor. I believe that our youth are your sheep.”

Then God asked me again with the same question, “Do you love me?” I replied, “Show me your will, oh Lord. I don’t understand what I need to do.”

God continued to speak to me and confirmed my calling to serve God through the word of prophecies that I received from several pastors and preachers. In responding and preparing for the calling of God, I began looking for a seminary or Bible School in Jakarta where I was working. I was planning to continue my work at the bank while attending seminary classes in the evenings. Those plans didn’t work as I had planned.

Pastor Angelia Susanto (right) and her husband, Pastor Beny Krisbianto. Photo provided by Nations Worship Center.

However, God had some extraordinary plans for my life and future. One day, my senior pastor introduced me to a young pastor from the US who eventually became my husband. After we got married, I resigned from my bank job. I left everything behind in Indonesia to serve Jesus full time and move to the US to support my husband’s ministry.

I began taking courses at Missio Seminary in Hatfield, PA. While I was taking seminary courses, God kept reminding me of the calling to serve Him. I believe that this is the way God prepared me to enter His calling.

To be honest, it was hard for me to adjust to a new place, ministry, and culture. It was difficult because I took seminary classes while caring for our home, my husband, and our six-month-old daughter. I was also doing ministry in the church on the weekends. I was so stressed, and I cried a lot. I was ready to give up and go back to Indonesia.

God helped me through that process. Praise God! God gave me a good support system through my family who cared for us so much. Finally, I graduated from Missio Seminary, in June 2020, with a Master of Arts degree.

Pastor Lia Susanto worships with her congregation at Nations Worship Center in Philadelphia, PA. Photo provided by Nations Worship Center.

Pastor Marta Castillo, my mentor from Mosaic Conference, said that I should give thanks to God for the talents He gave me. She also said that God had already prepared me to be a minister through the seminary courses and encouraged me to take the next step to be a licensed pastor.

I cried when I heard Pastor Marta’s words of encouragement because I felt that she spoke with authority from God, reminding me of His calling in my life. After spending a lot of time to pray, think, and discern, I finally decided to say, “Yes,” to the calling of God and surrendered my life totally to Him to be His servant.