Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

ministerial committee

Ministerial Committee Update – December 2025

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct. 

Report from the December 3, 2025, Ministerial Committee Meeting   

Committee Actions

Credentialing 

Transfers of Ordained Pastors 

  • Rigoberto Negrón – Iglesia Menonita del Cordero (Brownsville, TX)
  • Maria Alma Solis – Iglesia Menonita Fuente de Agua Viva (Los Fresnos, TX) 
  • Jose Alejo Solis – Iglesia Menonita Fuente de Agua Viva (Los Fresnos, TX) 
  • John Holsey – Providence Mennonite Church (Collegeville, PA) 

Updates, Discussions, and Upcoming Conversations  

Credentialing Requests in Process – There are currently 15 leaders in process for licensing towards ordination, licensing for special ministry, transfers, and ordination. 

Credentialing Procedure Update – An overview was given of the recent changes and updates reflecting the change in relationship with Mennonite Church USA. Further revisions will be presented at the next meeting. 

Posture Document Application in Ministerial Committee and Credentials Committee –There was a review of the Credentialing Profile for Leaders (replacing the Ministerial Leadership Information/MLI form). The committee shared feedback, including additional questions for the profile and thoughts concerning the interview process. 

Healthy Boundaries Training – Due to difficulty accessing healthy boundaries training, the proposal to use Mosaic policy documents as a basis for a training course was met favorably. Mosaic policy documents were shared, and necessary revisions were discussed. Staff will continue to revise these documents and present them to the committee at the next meeting. 

Allegations of Misconduct – Mosaic will partner with GRACE (netgrace.org) to process misconduct claims and investigations and to work at developing new policies and procedures. 

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.   

Ministerial Committee Update – September 2025

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct.

Report from the September 3, 2025, Ministerial Committee Meeting  

Committee Actions   

Credentialing

License Toward Ordination (LTO) – grants the person all the privileges and responsibilities accorded to an ordained person, except to ordain someone else. This license is issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities and aptitude and may or may not lead to ordination.  

  • Zacharie René, Pastor of Outreach, Lakeview Mennonite (North East, PA) 

Ordination – grants the person the full range of ministerial privileges and responsibilities. This is a long-term, leadership ministry credential appropriate for all pastors, area conference ministry staff, chaplains, missionaries, evangelists, and those determined by the church to have a continuing ministerial-leadership role in, and on behalf of, the church. 

  • Angelia Susanto, Nations Worship Center (Philadelphia, PA)  

Transfer of Retired Credentials – held by those who have retired from active ministry.

  • Robert Petersheim (transfer retired from ACC)  

Reactivation 

  • Jenny Fujita (license towards ordination process) 

License Extension – This LTO is issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities and aptitude and may or may not lead to ordination. It is extended for three more years as needed. 

  • Héctor Quiñones – Garden Chapel (Victory Gardens, PA)  

License Extension for Specific Ministry – is time, location, or ministry specific and is extended every three years as needed. 

  • Joe Paparone – Bethany Mennonite (Bridgewater Corners, VT) 
  • Yakub Limanto – Bethany Elevation (Elmhurst, NY)  

Retired – held by those who have retired from active ministry. 

  • Roy Williams, North Tampa (College Hill) 

Active without Charge – held by those not presently holding a ministry assignment 

  • Mike Ford, resigned from Zion Mennonite 

Credentialing Status Renewal Update 

  • 100% complete! The board thanks Marta Castillo and Stacey Mansfield for their work. 

Upcoming Conversations 

  • Healthy Boundaries Training for pastors
  • Review of Credentialing Procedure Update 

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.   

Ministerial Committee Update – June 2025

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct.    

Report from the June 4, 2025, Ministerial Committee Meeting 

Committee Actions  
Credentialing

Licensed toward Ordination (LTO) – grants the person all the privileges and responsibilities accorded to an ordained person, except to ordain someone else. This license is issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities and aptitude and may or may not lead to ordination.    

  • Dave Moyer – Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA) 
  • Michael Marpaung – Ark of Christ (Westminster, CA) 

Ordination – grants the person the full range of ministerial privileges and responsibilities. This is a long-term, leadership ministry credential appropriate for all pastors, area conference ministry staff, chaplains, missionaries, evangelists, and those determined by the church to have a continuing ministerial-leadership role in, and on behalf of, the church.  

  • Kevin Opett – Church of the Good Samaritans (Holland, PA) 
  • Jaye Lindo – 7 Ways (Bowie, MD) 
  • George Makinto – Los Angeles Faith Chapel 
  • Mukarabe Makinto – Los Angeles Faith Chapel

Transfers

  • Karl McKinney – Nueva Vida Norristown New Life (PA), from Illinois Conference/LMC to Mosaic Conference 

License Extension – An extension of the 3-year license towards ordination for credentialed leaders who need additional time for the process. 

  • Gary Alloway  
  • Dania Hernandez  

Retired – held by those who have retired from active ministry. The credentialed leader must be over the age of 55 to hold this status. This credential is valid for performing ministerial functions and is to be exercised in consultation with Mosaic Conference. Mosaic Conference is not responsible for the actions of a person holding this status. 

  • Samuel Claudio Sr. 

Inactive – held by those who have been without a ministerial assignment for more than three consecutive years. 

  • Mary Beth Benner  

Withdrawn – is given when a ministry credential is ended for non-disciplinary reasons 

  • Michael Clemmer is currently serving with LMC (Lancaster) and they hold his credentials. 
Pastoral Transitions 
  • Jordan Luther, Methacton (PA) Mennonite, joins the pastoral team. 
  • Carl Walcott, North Tampa (FL) Mennonite will go on sabbatical for his health 
  • Roy Williams will pastor at North Tampa Mennonite. 
  • Lydia de Jesus, Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, FL) is on a two-year sabbatical for her health. 
  • Artemio de Jesus, Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, FL) is in a pastoral position during Pastor Lydia’s sabbatical. 
  • Wayne Nitzsche, Salford (PA) Mennonite, bridge pastor 
  • Dave Greiser, Salford (PA), moves to Active without Charge  
  • Haroldo Nunes will move from ministry at Seguidores de Cristo (Sarasota, FL) to Resplandece Mennonite (Pembroke Pines, FL/Colombia/hybrid) 

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.      

Ministerial Committee Update – March 2025

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct.   

Report from the March 5, 2025, Ministerial Committee Meeting

Committee Actions 

Credentialing 

Licensed toward Ordination (LTO) – grants the person all the privileges and responsibilities accorded to an ordained person, except to ordain someone else. This license is issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities and aptitude and may or may not lead to ordination.   

  • Beverly Benner Miller – Plains (PA) Mennonite (Associate Pastor)  

Change in Status/Transitions 

Transfers 

  • Matthew Peterson – Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA), from Ohio Conference to Mosaic Conference
  • Mim Book – active without charge, from Mosaic Conference to Atlantic Coast Conference
  • Jim Lapp – retired, from Mosaic Conference to Atlantic Coast Conference 
     

Reactivated 

Retired – held by those who have retired from active ministry. The credentialed leader must be over the age of 55 to hold this status. This credential is valid for performing ministerial functions and is to be exercised in consultation with Mosaic Mennonite Conference. Mosaic Conference is not responsible for the actions of a person holding this status.   

  • Tim Moyer, Bally (PA) Mennonite 

Committee Discussions  

Credentialing Renewal Status – The committee reviewed the status of the credential renewal process, noting with gratitude that through the diligent work of conference staff and the prompt response of our credentialed leaders, all but three credentialed leaders in Mosaic Conference have completed this process.  The committee discussed next steps for the outstanding individuals.   

Process Regarding Misconduct Allegations – The committee discussed its process for responding to allegations of misconduct and/or credentials leaders acting at variance with conference policies. The committee reviewed proposed amendments to our current process and will continue refining these proposals in the coming months.   

Addressing abuse – a brief discussion of the ongoing work of our Addressing Abuse Committee. There are currently no active allegations of abuse. 

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.

Ministerial Committee Update – September 2024

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct.   

Report from the September 4, 2024 Ministerial Committee Meeting

Credentialing Updates and Motions

Ordination

  • Effiem Obasi (LA [CA] Faith Chapel)
  • Emmanuel Villatoro (Philadelphia [PA] Praise Center)

Withdrawn

License Extension

  • Benjamin Toussaint (Solidarity and Harmony [Philadelphia, PA])

Active without Charge to Active

  • Samuel Charles (Bethel Worship and Teaching Center [Levittown, PA]) 
  • Tim Weaver – Mosaic Leadership Minister
Other Ministerial Committee Updates

Hearing from Beth Yoder (Salford [PA]) about her Giving and Receiving Counsel Process

Giving and Receiving Counsel Policy Update – adding steps for after committee determination

Misconduct Policy Review – for situations of conflict of interest and enmeshment

Credentialing Renewal Update – approximately half of credentialed leaders have successfully renewed their credentials

Credentialing Process Alternative Questionnaire will be tested with Partner in Ministry leaders outside of the United States.

Definitions Related to Credentials:  

  • Licensed for Specific Ministry (LSM) – Person called from within the congregation to serve in a specific leadership assignment within the congregation or another organization  
  • Licensed toward Ordination (LTO) – Issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities, and aptitude; may or may not lead to ordination.  
  • License Extension – A three year-extension is given to a person in active ministry who has a license towards ordination but is not ready for ordination. 
  • Ordination (ORD) – Long-term leadership ministry credential appropriate for all pastors, area conference ministry staff, chaplains, missionaries, evangelists, and those determined by the church to have a continuing ministerial-leadership role in and on behalf of the church.  

Status Definitions

  • Active – held by those serving in a leadership-ministry assignment. 
  • Active without Charge – held by those not presently holding a ministry assignment.  
  • Inactive – held by those who have been without a ministerial assignment for more than three consecutive years.  
  • Retired – held by those who have retired from active ministry.  
  • Withdrawn – is given when a ministry credential is ended for non-disciplinary reasons. 

Ministerial Committee Update – June 2024

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct.   

Report from the June 5, 2024 Ministerial Committee Meeting: 

Credentialing Updates
  • Melky Tirtasaputra – Ordination (Whitehall [PA])
  • Angelia Susanto – License toward Ordination License Extension (Nations Worship Center [Philadelphia, PA])
  • Beth Davco – License toward Ordination 3 Year License Extension (Wellspring Church of Skippack [PA])
  • Marcos Acosta – Withdrawn (Homestead [FL])
  • Angel Tamayo – Withdrawn  (Nueva Vida Norristown New Life [PA])

45 Credentialed Leaders have completed their 2024 Credentialing Renewal Process

Ministerial Committee Discussion Topics

Giving and Receiving Counsel Policy – addition of next steps of accountability, reporting, and reinstatement in cases of probation or suspension.Revision of credentialing process to add questionnaire for leaders of congregations who are not part of MC USA and don’t have access to the MLI (Ministerial Leadership Information) form.

Definitions Related to Credentials:  

  • Licensed for Specific Ministry (LSM) – Person called from within the congregation to serve in a specific leadership assignment within the congregation or another organization  
  • Licensed toward Ordination (LTO) – Issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities, and aptitude; may or may not lead to ordination.  
  • License Extension – A three year-extension is given to a person in active ministry who has a license towards ordination but is not ready for ordination. 
  • Ordination (ORD) – Long-term leadership ministry credential appropriate for all pastors, area conference ministry staff, chaplains, missionaries, evangelists, and those determined by the church to have a continuing ministerial-leadership role in and on behalf of the church.  

Status Definitions

  • Active – held by those serving in a leadership-ministry assignment. 
  • Active without Charge – held by those not presently holding a ministry assignment.  
  • Inactive – held by those who have been without a ministerial assignment for more than three consecutive years.  
  • Retired – held by those who have retired from active ministry.  
  • Withdrawn – is given when a ministry credential is ended for non-disciplinary reasons. 

Ministerial Committee Update – March 2024

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The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and safe church practices for congregations. They meet quarterly to act on recommendations from the credentialing committee, review and revise current policies around credentialed leaders, and provide leadership in cases of misconduct.   

Report from the March 13, 2024 Ministerial Committee Meeting: 

Credentialing 

License Toward Ordination

Ordination 

  • Brooke Martin, Salford/Mosaic
  • Secundino Casas Martinez, Iglesia Menonita Shalom
  • Nering Huete, Nueva Vida Norristown New Life

Status Changes/Transitions

Retired

  •  Nelson Shenk

Withdrawn

  • Sam Claudio Jr

Transfer Complete

  •  Lydia de Jesús

License to Ordination Extension

  • Emmanuel Villatoro, Philadelphia Praise Center
  • Jaye Lindo, 7 Ways

Moved to Active without Charge

  • Franco Salvatore
  • Tim Moyer

Credentialing Renewal Process 2024: Every three years, Mosaic Mennonite Conference enters a year-long credentialing renewal process for all credentialed leaders. As our conference becomes more diverse, geographically, culturally, and in legal status, we need to continue to consider the elements of legality, safety, and culturally appropriate practices within this process and expect that we will continue to be respectful and relational. See more at:https://mosaicmennonites.org/credentialrenewal/

Definitions Related to Credentials:  

  • Licensed for Specific Ministry (LSM) – Person called from within the congregation to serve in a specific leadership assignment within the congregation or another organization  
  • Licensed toward Ordination (LTO) – Issued for a three-year period with the purpose of testing the inner and outer call to ministry, further discerning of ministerial gifts, abilities, and aptitude; may or may not lead to ordination.  
  • License Extension – A three year-extension is given to a person in active ministry who has a license towards ordination but is not ready for ordination. 
  • Ordination (ORD) – Long-term leadership ministry credential appropriate for all pastors, area conference ministry staff, chaplains, missionaries, evangelists, and those determined by the church to have a continuing ministerial-leadership role in and on behalf of the church.  

Status Definitions

  • Active – held by those serving in a leadership-ministry assignment. 
  • Active without Charge – held by those not presently holding a ministry assignment.  
  • Inactive – held by those who have been without a ministerial assignment for more than three consecutive years.  
  • Retired – held by those who have retired from active ministry.  
  • Withdrawn – is given when a ministry credential is ended for non-disciplinary reasons. 

The Kingdom Work of Committees  

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By Marta Castillo

We’ve all heard the phrase, “The church is not a building; it is the people.” In a similar fashion, Mosaic Mennonite Conference is not simply the executive minister, the board, or the staff, but rather the people of the conference working together to further the Kingdom of God. One way this is manifest is in the working committees, which are composed of faithful, discerning, creative, and collaborative volunteers from all parts of the conference.  We are grateful for those who have said yes to serving on the following four committees.  They are always hard at work, meeting together to process information, write reports, and make decisions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and existing guidelines and policies. 

The Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is where it all begins, since they vet and discern new members for the Conference Board and other committees, based on nominations from others within the conference.   Nominations are made via an online form or at assembly with written forms.   

The Nominating Committee seeks to ensure that the board and various committees reflect the diversity that is Mosaic. Members should be balanced in terms of the gender, racial, cultural, geographic, and historic diversity of the Conference, reflect the diverse gifts represented in the Conference, are persons of good standing in their congregations, and exhibit a high level of intercultural capacity. 

This year we welcome Roy Williams (North Tampa, FL) as the chair of the Nominating Committee in his role as Moderator Elect. We also welcome Wendy Kwong (Souderton) to the Nominating Committee.

Roy Williams (North Tampa, FL)

The Credentials Committee

The Credentials Committee interviews and recommends individuals for credentialing. This committee has the privilege of hearing the stories, beliefs, and callings of the pastors coming into the Conference with requests for licensing and transfers, in addition to those who are being ordained.  They write reports and recommendations from interviews and other paperwork that are sent to the Ministerial Committee for approval. 

This year we welcome Lisa Quinones (Garden Chapel), Sonya Stauffer Kurtz (Zion), Drane Reynolds (Homestead), and Kathy Tuttle (Lakeview) to the Credentials Committee. 

Lisa Quinones (Garden Chapel)
Sonya Stauffer Kurtz (Zion)
Drane Reynolds (Homestead)
Kathy Tuttle (Lakeview)

The Ministerial Committee

The Ministerial Committee makes decisions on ministry credentials and policies that promote the support, health, and training of credentialed leaders and promote safe church practices for congregations. 

This year we welcome Mike Spinelli (Perkiomenville), Tomas Ramirez (Luz y Vida) and Rose Bender Cook (Whitehall) to the Ministerial Committee. 

Mike Spinelli (Perkiomenville)
Tomas Ramirez (Luz y Vida)
Rose Bender Cook (Whitehall)

The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee provides leadership on fiscal matters and develops the budget based on the vision of the Conference. 

This year we welcome Ryan Ferguson (Philadelphia Praise Center) and Jessica Clopton-Robinson (College Hill) to the Finance Committee.  

Ryan Ferguson (Philadelphia Praise Center)

*No photo on file for Jessica Clopton-Robinson

We are thankful for these and other Mosaic committees and all the faithful, hard-working volunteers who serve. To see a full list of committees and members, visit the Boards and Committees page.

Please pray for wisdom, grace, and strength for the members of these committees as they faithfully serve where God has called and equipped them to be.  

Marta Castillo

Marta Castillo is the Associate Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference. Marta lives in Norristown, PA, with her husband, Julio, and has three sons, Christian, Andres and Daniel and one granddaughter, Isabel.