Centro de Alabanza

Faith, Finances, and Fellowship Come Together in South Philadelphia

March 26, 2026 by Cindy Angela

A group of nearly 20 participants from four Mosaic Conference congregations gathered on Sunday, March 22, at Nations Worship Center (Philadelphia, PA) for the second session of God and Money: Tools for Faithful Personal Finance. The workshop is part of a three-part series designed for youth and young adults across Mosaic Conference congregations.

The afternoon began with energy as Dan Barlow, youth pastor at Centro de Alabanza, led a Kahoot review of themes from the first session, helping participants reconnect with earlier conversations about faith and finances.

Rose Bender Cook, pastor at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite and the Mosaic Conference Leadership Minister for Formation, guided the group into deeper reflection on the spiritual dimensions of money. Participants explored biblical perspectives on wealth, reviewing scriptures passages in categories of righteous rich, unrighteous rich, righteous poor, and unrighteous poor. In small groups, they reflected on what it means to be rich in righteousness, wisdom, and generosity, and how those values shape God’s hopes for our lives.

Building on that foundation, Everence Stewardship Consultant Franco Salvatori offered practical tools for financial health. He walked participants through the basics of creating a budget, emphasizing the importance of making room for saving and sharing. He also addressed the benefits and risks of credit and loans and offered guidance on seeking financial counsel.

Pastor Rose Bender Cook shares about the spiritual implications of money.

The workshop concluded with a shared meal of Chinese food, creating space for additional conversation and connection.

Participants left with practical knowledge and renewed perspective. “I learned about what budgeting means and how to do so,” said Marciella Shallomita of Nations Worship Center.

“I come from a background that doesn’t think much about this. The assumption is to work a lot to earn more and spend what you have. But this session taught me a new way of handling money, one that is beneficial for the future. I also enjoyed exploring what the Bible says about being wise and generous. Rather than just rich in wealth, we should be rich in love and generosity.”

The final session of the series will take place at Centro de Alabanza on Sunday, April 26 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., focusing on investing and saving for retirement.

Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.

Mosaic Women’s Annual Gathering – Well-Watered Women

March 6, 2026 by Graciella Odelia

(posted March 6) Mosaic Women’s Annual Gathering: all women within Mosaic congregations or ministries are invited to join us on Saturday, April 18, 10 am – 2 pm (EST) with the theme of Well-Watered Women (Isaiah 58:11). The presenter is Pastor Letty Cortes of Centro de Alabanza. Join for worship and teaching together on Zoom, with regional gatherings (Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida) for lunch and afternoon activities. More info and registration at mosaicmennonites.org/women/.

Celebrating 15 Years of God’s Faithfulness: Centro de Alabanza

June 27, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by Noel Santiago

“A Dios sea la gloria” (To God be the Glory).

With these words of praise, Pastors Fernando Loyola and Lety Cortés of Centro de Alabanza (Philadelphia, PA) opened the 15^th anniversary celebration service on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

The service began with intimate songs of worship. As the expressions of love for God flowed, the songs of exuberant joy burst forth like rivers of living waters. God’s people had gathered from near and far to celebrate 15 years of God’s faithfulness at, in, and through Centro de Alabanza.

Pastors Lety *Cortés and Fernando Loyola.*

Pastors Loyola and Cortés have been ministering in the congregation for 17 years, including a two-year start-up period.

As the celebration continued, we were invited to offer what God had placed in our hearts to give with a huge smile on our face, because God loves a cheerful giver.

The women’s group offered a celebration in dance as they moved and waved worship flags in sync with a song of praise. There was lots of singing and clapping.

Mosaic Conference Associate Executive Minister Marta Castillo offered words of congratulations, encouragement, and strength to continue the journey.

*The women’s group offers a praise dance.*

Pastor Tomás Hangar shared the message from 1 Corinthians 5:17-21, highlighting that God is a mission-sending God who seeks to be reconciled with all humanity; we are made new in Christ and reconciled to God. God invites us to participate in his mission of reconciliation as “Chalanes de Dios” (Chalanes is a Mexican expression for an employer’s “helper”).

The children’s group acted out a story of the Israelites under Moses leadership which called for trusting wholly in God. The youth group shared a video based on Psalm 78:4 reflecting on the church’s anniversary and learnings that each generation brings

A reminiscent video showed snippets from the congregation’s life together to give praise to God’s faithfulness over these 15 years! As with any good celebration a wonderful Mexican meal was enjoyed by all!

¡Felicidades, Centro de Alabanza! To God be the Glory!

Noel Santiago

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

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.

What I Think About as I Fall Asleep: Reflections on Being Mosaic

July 1, 2021 by Cindy Angela

Editor’s Note: Pastor Jacob Curtis wrote this reflection to his congregation, Ambler (PA) Mennonite Church, on June 30, after attending the candlelight prayer service in South Philadelphia. This is reprinted with his permission.

On June 29, five of us from Ambler (PA) Mennonite Church made the hour-long trek down I-476/I-76/I-95 to Centro de Alabanza on the corner of 5th and Snyder in South Philly. We were there for a candlelight prayer service in solidarity with Asian Americans who are being targeted for hate crimes.

The service was powerful. I’m still trying to figure out exactly how to describe what happened—in the service and inside me—but here are a few of the things I fell asleep thinking about:

1) It is such an honor to be part of Mosaic Mennonite Conference.

Honestly, I don’t know how a beautiful, fragile thing like our conference can exist in the world, or how we are allowed to be a part of it. But somehow—and I can only assume it is by the grace of God—we find ourselves in community with Swiss-German and Russian Mennonites, and also with everyone who’s been drawn to what they planted here in southeast Pennsylvania.

Our Conference includes churches like Franconia Mennonite, which built its first log meetinghouse in … oh, you know, 1748! … and churches like Nations Worship Center, which purchased its building from a catering business in an Italian neighborhood of South Philly in 2012.

We are Matahelemuals and Krisbiantos and Siahaans, as well as Yoders and Millers and Martins. And because of our Conference, we get to sit outside with all sorts of other Mennonites on the breezy, noisy, sunlit corner of 5th and Snyder, praying in all our languages to the living God.

2) Maybe there’s an opening here?

Ambler Mennonite Church is not (and never will be) Franconia Mennonite Church, with its history and its resources. Nor will we ever be Centro de Alabanza, located right in the middle of a densely-populated, diverse urban neighborhood. But might we become a little bit of both?

Might we grow into an identity as the part-city, part-country church? Might our congregation be black without being all black, brown without being all brown, white without being all white? Might we be the church where conservatives and progressives learn to respect each other and find a way through our cultural and theological gridlock? Might we lean into our particular spot on the map—just north of Philadelphia, just south of the old Mennonite heartland, an in-between place for a bunch of in-between people?

I don’t know. I don’t know exactly what God has in mind for us. And I don’t know what’s possible in the Borough of Ambler as it is now, getting rapidly younger and whiter and wealthier. But these are the things I think about as I fall asleep.

Painting Tiles at a Mosaic Youth Event

June 10, 2021 by Cindy Angela

On Saturday, June 5, several youth groups from Mosaic congregations gathered at Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center for a youth gathering involving games, art, and spiritual input.

The genesis of this event was found in some blank ceramic tiles and paint that were donated to the Mosaic Office last fall. The tiles and paint eventually found their way to Jenna and Emmanuel Villatoro (Youth Pastors of Philadelphia Praise Center). The Villatoros wanted to create a joint youth event with other local youth from Mosaic Conference and anticipated using the tiles and paint as one of the activities.

Including Philadelphia Praise Center, who hosted, youth from Centro de Alabanza (South Philadelphia, PA), Ripple (Allentown, PA), and Whitehall Mennonite Church (Whitehall, PA) attended the event.

The gathering started with high energy as participants played a rousing game of “Never have I ever” and other ice-breaking activities. Hendy Matahelemual, of Mosaic Conference, continued the activities with a short reflection about being the salt and light of the world.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent with a painting lesson, led by Donna Backues, a local artist. Backues encouraged the youth to paint the tiles using themes of fire, flames, and water, to represent Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and baptism.

The finished tiles were then baked in hot ovens to set the artwork. The tiles will be transported to the Mosaic Office in Lansdale, PA to be used as coasters.

Watch the video to learn more about the festivities!

Congregational Profile: Centro de Alabanza

November 12, 2019 by Conference Office

(Leer en español)

by Pastor Lety Cortés and Pastor Fernando Loyola, Centro de Alabanza

Centro de Alabanza is a community of faith in South Philadelphia, made up of migrant families from different countries in Central America, South America, Mexico and the USA.

It began 12 years ago in the living room of our house as a growth group; later we started doing services in public with the Philadelphia Praise Center community.

Centro has been developing an environment of community and brotherhood. From the beginning of the ministry, every Sunday after service we have shared food that families prepare and provide.

God has been so generous and we feel very grateful, because every Sunday new people arrive to hear the word of God. We are located in a strategic place that allows us to develop several ministries with the community, such as collecting clothes and giving it to the most needy people.

We also focus on discipling our members. We encourage them at all times to be self-taught in scrutinizing the word of God; we also have more advanced study circles to train leaders to continue with God’s vision for Centro de Alabanza. With God’s blessing and support we want to continue being people of peace, as well as bridges to reach more people for the Kingdom of God.

Staying Connected as Partners in Ministry

September 10, 2019 by Conference Office

(leer en español)

by Andrés Castillo, communication intern

There is power in simply staying connected. The reborn Partners in Ministry emphasizes that.

The revival of what used to be “Partners in Mission,” according to Franconia Conference’s Leadership Minister for Missional Transformation Noel Santiago, are partnerships made between groups with similar values and visions and greatly emphasizes relationships. In the past, the relationships with Partners in Mission were mostly leader-to-leader; as a result, when leaders relocated or moved on, some of those relationships faded. In reviving Partners in Ministry, Santiago continues, the Conference is emphasizing a renewed commitment to engaging and experimenting with diverse communities, not just leaders.

Partners in Ministry with Franconia each have a staff person who can accompany them, if desired, as a coach or listening ear, to help connect them with equipping and resources, and to walk with the community during leadership transitions or times of conflict. Franconia also provides credentialing for the pastors of Partners in Ministry if they need it. Leaders from Partners in Ministry are welcome to attend equipping events, Faith & Life gatherings, and other events that may benefit them as growing Anabaptist groups.

Partners in Ministry relationships are different than Conference-Related Ministries, which include institutions such as Spruce Lake Retreat, Care & Share Thrift Shops, and Camp Men-O-Lan. A Partner in Ministry relationship is more of a connection with communities, who, many times, are on the margins (because of geography, social situation, or as a church plant) rather than established organizations.

New Hope youth and adults getting ready to go to Philadelphia to serve with Centro de Alabanza (courtesy of New Hope Fellowship Facebook page)

“Franconia Conference played an important role in the birth and continued growth of RIMI,” explains Kirk Hanger, pastor of New Hope Fellowship Church (Alexandria, VA). “In 2003, after 11 years of church planting ministry in Mexico, they encouraged me to continue.” Today, the RIMI Network includes around 80 churches, church plants, and ministries in 12 countries, with 28 churches and church plants in Mexico. The RIMI Network also includes a radio ministry, a short-term missions school and a leadership school affiliated with Global Disciples, a medical ministry, a prayer network, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, and a microfinance ministry working with some 4000 people in economic development in Paraguay.

Oskar Dom (2nd from L.) and Carlos Martinez Garcia (2nd from R.) of CIEAMM with leaders from Centro de Alabanza in Philadelphia

Franconia has recently renewed relationship with the Conference of Evangelical Anabaptist Mennonite Churches of México (CIEAMM) through the Partner in Ministry program. Carlos Martinez Garcia, CIEAMM moderator, believes that partnership is essential in order to fulfill Christ’s mission in the world: “We encourage each other, the Word says, to love and do good deeds (Hebrews 10:19-25),” he explains. “The Christian church is diverse in ability, understanding, and vision. By sharing with one another, we can grow and learn to serve better. In the mission the Lord has given us, we must not isolate ourselves, but connect in order to embed ourselves in the world…. We must try to learn from the different understandings the Lord has given others of his word, as well as how they are fulfilling their mission.”

The relationship between Franconia Conference and CIEAMM has been mutually beneficial: while CIEAMM was birthed out of Franconia mission work 60 years ago, CIEAMM has also trained leaders from Franconia congregations, including Centro de Alabanza de Philadelphia, through the Community of Anabaptist Theological Institutions (CITA). “The fact that we interact with other organizations makes us feel like more than part of a historic relationship,” says Oskar Dom, director of the Biblical Institute of CIEAMM. “It’s good to know that we are in a position to share what we have learned in these sixty years of existence.”

Partner in Ministry relationships are not highly structured, according to Franconia’s Executive Minister Steve Kriss; many communities may have just been introduced to Mennonite theology or practice. The Partner in Ministry relationship can provide space for these communities to learn what it means to live as Anabaptists in their complex contexts. With supportive partners, anyone can thrive. It is Santiago and Kriss’ hope that Partners in Ministry will continue to be a space for communities to interact, experiment, and get to know one another.