Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Nelson Shenk

Beautiful Feet Upon the Mountain

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Nelson Shenk Retirement Celebration

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who brings good news. 

Isaiah 52:7a, NIV

The prophet Isaiah speaks of those who bring the message of good news, using the image of beautiful feet on a mountain. Pastor Nelson Shenk of Boyertown (PA) Mennonite Church has been one such person. This sentiment, and many more, were expressed at the retirement celebration for Pastor Nelson and June, his spouse, on January 30, 2022.

After 26 years of ministry at the church, the time had come for the next phase of Pastor Nelson’s life journey. This phase began by saying goodbye to what had been familiar for more than a quarter of a century at Boyertown Mennonite Church. Yet, underlying the farewell, was a strong affirmation that Jesus will continue on the journey with the congregation.

June and Pastor Nelson Shenk at the retirement celebration at Boyertown (PA) Mennonite Church after 26 years of ministry. Photo by Noel Santiago.

The congregation and others gathered on a beautiful, sunny, cold winter morning and were welcomed into a warm, friendly, welcoming sanctuary by God’s people gathered for worship and celebration. There was an air of excitement, anticipation, and gladness, mixed with sadness and grief, as the realization set in more deeply that this would be Pastor Nelson’s last Sunday as pastor.

The singing rang out with glorious praise; the sharing was heartfelt and genuine. The message brought a culmination to a sermon series, using the word BLESS as an acronym for the message of good news. Each letter represented an aspect of the good news and was preached by each of the leadership team members, demonstrating that the congregation has capable leaders to continue the work of ministry into the future … just as Nelson planned.

There was an air of excitement, anticipation, and gladness, mixed with sadness and grief, as the realization set in more deeply that this would be Pastor Nelson’s last Sunday as pastor.

With precautions for COVID, the church gathered for a meal and time of personal sharing following worship. There were many stories, many lives touched, and many wonderful memories and words of appreciation shared. Truly, Nelson was a beloved pastor, leader, mentor, and friend to many people, not just in the congregation but in the community as well.

The time together closed by acknowledging Acts 13:36, in which Luke states that David served the purpose God had for him. Nelson Shenk has served the purpose of God at Boyertown. Together, participants extended their hands to Nelson and June as the group prayed, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you” … as you continue to serve the purpose God has for you next. Blessings!

Pastor Nelson Shenk. Photo by Noel Santiago.

A Family Reunited

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by Nelson Shenk, Boyertown congregation

Gaby & Kyle with their daughters

In 2005, Maria Gabriella (Gaby) left a dangerous living situation in Mexico and came to the United States to make a better and safer life for herself and her two-year-old daughter Citlalli.  In doing so, she and her daughter came as undocumented persons.  She eventually met and married Kyle Rhoads, who grew up at Boyertown Mennonite Church.  They had 2 daughters, Isabel and Kylene, and settled in Bechtelsville as a happy family unit.

They were attending our church for several months when Gaby and Citlalli decided to apply for their green cards so they could be here legally. That involved returning to Mexico and having an immigration interview at the U. S. Embassy.

In October 2017, she and her daughter returned to Mexico with trepidation.  Her daughter was approved and returned home to Bechtelsville in November, but Gaby was denied.  After the denial of her visa in the interview, she had to re-apply for a waiver.   In February 2018, her husband and 2 younger daughters visited her, and two-year-old Kylene stayed in Mexico with her mother.

Many phone calls were made to lawyers and politicians on her behalf.  Many people at Boyertown church wrote letters requesting her return so the family could be together.

Gaby reapplied and, after spending many months waiting, she went through the interview process again, including another medical exam and paying more money.  After 15 months away from her husband and daughter, her visa was finally approved in October 2018.  She and Kylene arrived home on January 24. 

On January 30th, a big celebration was held at church for her safe return.  Christopher Friesen, a member of the Germantown congregation, works for the law firm that processed Gaby’s paperwork.  He and Gaby finally met as we celebrated that day, which was another joyous occasion.

Gaby’s family is once again living as a family unit in Bechtelsville.  There are still some on-going complications with paper work, so please keep the family in prayer as life goes on and there are adjustments to be made. Our church family at Boyertown praises God for a good outcome for Gaby’s family.

 

 

Introducing Boyertown Mennonite Church

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Boyertown Mennontie ChurchOur congregation was a “church plant” from the Bally congregation and began worshiping in Colebrookdale Township of Berks county in the year 1780. For many years these two faith communities continued to share pastors and many other aspects of church life. It wasn’t until the late 1940’s that Boyertown became completely separate with its own pastor and leadership. Our first buildings were located at the center of Boyertown, but in 1969 we built the present facility on a hill outside the borough of Boyertown.

Al Detweiler served the congregation for about 25 years until 1993. In 1995 the present pastor, Nelson Shenk, began serving upon Al’s retirement. The Leadership Team is made up of the pastor, two elders, and two deaconesses who serve the spiritual needs. The administrative body is the Church Council which is composed of the chair persons of various ministries within the congregation.

Our mission statement is: “We strive to be a Christian community of healing and growth.” We have become a faith community that ministers to a wide variety of needs within the Boyertown area and have attracted folks with addictions, background of abuse, poverty, etc. Folks have found this to be a place of safety and acceptance. As a result we are very diverse in every way possible.

We have been doing several annual events that expose us to our community and provide ministry to those who participate. These include Red Cross blood drives, a community yard sale, a pig roast, a Christmas bazaar, and a Christmas Eve service.

We are a very informal, blue collar congregation who has become known for how open we are to many different kinds of people. We pull together to minister to all of the needs of the folks that God has placed in our care.