ministerial committee

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 2026, 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.  

• Cindy Angela – Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center
• Karen Bennett – Bally (PA) Mennonite 

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.   

• Beverly Benner Miller – Plains Mennonite (Hatfield, PA) 

Reactivation   

• Jenny Fujita (LTO) – Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite 

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.   

• Sherilee Samuel – (LTO) – College Hill Mennonite (Tampa, Florida) 

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

• Manuel Garcia
• Steve McCloskey   

Moved to Inactive  – held by those who have been without a ministerial assignment for more than three consecutive years. This credential is not valid for performing ministerial functions.   

• Jessica Miller 

Committee Updates and Discussions 

Credentialing Procedure Update – The committee discussed revising the process to ensure that the profile is accessible for individuals to complete when seeking a position. Once submitted, the conference would maintain these profiles and make them available to congregations upon request.  

Abuse and Misconduct Policy and Procedure – An update was given concerning collaboration with GRACE to develop appropriate policies and procedures. The committee requested additional information regarding how the process would be implemented in an international context.  

Posture Document application in Ministerial Committee and Credentials Committee – An update was given related to how the Credentialing Profile for Leaders (which replaced the Ministry Leadership Information [MLI] form) was updated to include the centering document (A Mosaic Identity: Clarifying Our Center). 

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. 

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) 

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 

• José Andrés Mendoza – Encuentro de Renovación (Miami, FL)  

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. 

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

• Charles Ness (Towamencin [PA])
• Mark Wenger (Franconia [PA])

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.

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.

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

• Martin Ejiofor, LA Faith
• Graciella Odelia, Nations Worship Center

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/