Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Noel Santiago

In An Upper Room in Mexico City

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by Noel Santiago

Leaders from Mosaic Partner in Ministry RIMI met in Mexico City from September 19-21, 2024. Coming from Mexico, the USA, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia, they gathered for their annual meeting. RIMI is the Red de Iglesias Misioneras Internacionales (International Network of Missionary Churches). The meeting took place in an upper room at Iglesia Cristiana La Paz in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities. 

The La Paz congregation was started by Franconia missionaries Kirk and Marilyn Hanger, along with Mennonite Brethren missionaries Jonathan and Juanis Pritchard from Kansas and Mexico. Leticia Cortes, who had worked with the Hangers at Palabra de Gozo church in Mexico City, helped start Iglesia Cristiana La Paz. Later, Leticia married Fernando, moved to the US, and together they now pastor Centro De Alabanza, a Mosaic member congregation in South Philadelphia. 

Amid Mexico City’s noise—barking dogs, street vendors shouting, a constantly-ringing mini church bell used as a doorbell, and the sounds of cars, buses, motorcycles, and people— we had to focus hard on listening to make sure we heard each other clearly over the noise. 

The purpose of this annual gathering was to worship, pray, and connect. Leaders shared ministry updates from each country, supported and prayed for one another, and planned how to best organize a growing and multiplying movement of churches, leaders, and groups. 

The work involved reviewing RIMI’s mission and priorities to keep ministry aligned with its vision. The main challenge was creating a structure that stays organized and flexible without becoming rigid. Like Mosaic, they used pillar statements as part of their guiding principles and have focused them on missional discipleship; building lasting relationships; developing self-sustaining churches; sending called individuals to other cultures; starting and multiplying churches; and organizing in organic, life-giving ways. 

The highlight of the meeting was hearing stories of God’s work in different countries, with people coming to faith in Jesus. One story involved a RIMI leader who was invited to speak at a community funeral. The family appreciated his message so much that they asked him to return a month later to share more from the Bible. Three months later, a Bible study group formed. Similar stories were shared from all the countries. 

Current numbers churches connected with RIMI. Image provided by Noel Santiago. 

RIMI focuses on finding and empowering leaders with a vision for starting new churches or groups. When they identify such people, they come alongside them, and if agreeable to all involved, they start working together. 

They accompany and equip pastors of established congregations and sponsor Generación Sana, an annual international youth gathering focused on raising up and empowering young people for ministry. 

Many in these countries face challenges for ministry, including concerns about personal safety due to violence, travel uncertainties, and limited resources. Despite these obstacles, people shared stories of God’s faithfulness and how God supported them in their work. 

A crucial part of RIMI’s leadership meetings is the intercessory team. In addition to being active members, they listen for how God is speaking and moving among them. Their insights are regularly sought during decision-making. 

RIMI’s vision is to see people transformed by Christ to impact all nations. Their mission is to connect and multiply churches and ministries to fulfill God’s purpose. They value leaders who serve in underserved areas and who demonstrate healthy relationship skills, discipleship and empowerment, teamwork, and holistic ministry engagement. 

Pastor Kirk Hanger sums up a central piece of RIMI’s as follows: “We provide mentoring, coaching, encouragement, training, and spiritual support to leaders as well as a network of people who share a common vision and commitment to Christ”.  

In Mexico I was struck by the deep gratitude those present expressed for the opportunity to serve. Whether it was through preparing meals, ministering to one another, hosting guests, or running errands, their joy was truly evident. I pray I can capture a bit of this joy in my own heart as I seek to serve others. 

God keeps inviting and expanding Mosaic’s reach across the world. May God continue using this church-planting network to share the good news of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world. 

RIMI leaders meeting in an upper room at Iglesia Cristiana La Paz, México. Photo provided by Noel Santiago.  

Noel Santiago

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

Set Apart

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by Noel Santiago

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

Acts 13:2, NIV 

In this text, the leaders of the early church gathered in worship and fasting. Amid this gathering, the Holy Spirit calls for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the work of Jesus.   

Today, we too participate in acts of “setting apart” on various fronts, although we think more in terms of “calling” or “being called”. The first and foremost of these is when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and reorient our lives around the mission of God. This is an act of being “set apart” to God where we begin the journey of following Jesus as Lord in all of life. 

Throughout our Anabaptist history, we have recognized the call of God on people’s lives and have used various methods to recognize, call, and set apart these people for service to God. From choosing by lot, to shoulder tapping, and seeking to develop a Culture of Call, to credentialing processes that include filling out Ministerial Leadership Information forms, references, and interviews, God’s calling is discerned and recognized in a diversity of ways. 

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, Iglesia Nueva Vida Norristown New Life (PA) was joined by Providence Mennonite (Collegeville, PA) to celebrate the recognition of one of these being set apart. It was the ordination and installation to ministerial office of Pastor Nering Huete at Iglesia Nueva Vida Norristown New Life. Pastor John Holsey of the Providence congregation brought the message from this passage   

Pastor Nering was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras where he ministered in a variety of church settings, ultimately in the Mennonite Church of Tegucigalpa. In 1984 the Lord called him to be the pastor of Iglesia Menonita El Buen Pastor in Lancaster, PA. Later he served as a chaplain in Chester County, from where he retired. 

However, God still had more for Pastor Nering. God again called him into ministry at Mosaic congregation Iglesia Menonita Ebenezer in Souderton, PA and now at Iglesia Nueva Vida Norristown New Life. His partnership with Providence came about as a new Partner in Ministry formed there called Iglesia Menonita Jesucristo Viene. 

The gathered body prays over Pastor Nering. 
The gathered body prays over Pastor Nering. 

On this day, however, the community of faith gathered in worship, prayer, scripture reading, preaching of the word and celebration of covenant making as we recognized, affirmed, and set apart Pastor Nering for the work of ministry. Family, friends, and sisters and brothers in Christ gathered around him in prayer and together, we all recommitted ourselves to the work of Jesus’ ministry.  

Of course, we did do one thing a bit differently than the early church in the Acts 13 passage; we had a wonderful time of fellowship afterwards with food from a variety of different countries. To God be the glory! 

Noel Santiago

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

Boyertown Closes, Congregation Unites with 2/42 Community

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by Noel Santiago, Leadership Minister 

© Google Maps

“While it seems like a distant memory, it was just six months ago (Aug. 2023) that Boyertown (PA) Mennonite (BMC) began to make a final discernment as to whether we would simply continue to function as a small congregation with a part-time pastor, or if we would entertain the concept of merging with another congregation in the Boyertown area using the BMC church facility as the new entity’s ministry location,” shared the report of Walt Morton, merger process mediator and coach for Boyertown, on Jan. 29, 2024. 

The congregation sensed God’s leading to merge with another local community congregation who also had a heart for ministering to the people of the Boyertown community. That congregation was 2/42 Community Church, a nondenominational church, whose pastor is Bryan Raught. 

“On April 28, 2024, both Boyertown Mennonite Church and 2/42 Community Church Members voted unanimously to merge into 2/42 Community Church, effective May 1, 2024,” reads the letter Mosaic Mennonite Conference leaders received from Boyertown Mennonite Church Council Chair Doug Kern, writing on behalf of the congregation. “As a result of this merger, as of May 1, 2024, Boyertown Mennonite ceased to exist.” 

The process of discernment was an almost two-year intentional interim process led by Walt Morton, Intentional Interim Minister from Ohio. The process was heavily oriented toward relationally healthy conversations among congregants, which provided ample opportunities, options, and possibilities for discerning the sense of the congregation. It’s safe to say that when this process began, no one envisioned where it would end up. 

The letter ends with a desire from the Boyertown Mennonite Church members expressing a desire to maintain a relationship with Mosaic Conference. Although no one quite knows what that might look like, we remain open to the further leading of God’s Holy Spirit. 

So, as Boyertown Mennonite Church transitions to 2/42 Community Church, and continues to carry on the work of God’s Kingdom in this new way, we offer this prayer of blessing for her leaders, people, and ministries: 

Gracious and loving God, the builder and sustainer of the Church,

We give thanks for your Spirit and your people at Boyertown Mennonite and 2/42 Community Church.

We give thanks for the challenging work that the Boyertown Mennonite has engaged in these past several years, with transparency, vulnerability, difficult, and sometimes painful conversations, yet also with hope, possibilities, and a view toward a new horizon.

We ask that as Boyertown unites with 2/42 Community Church, your Spirit would bless this joining together as one. That all you have done historically in and through Boyertown Mennonite would be multiplied to that which you have done and are doing in and through 2/42 Community Church so that your kingdom rule and reign may be further established and expanded.

Thank you for the blessing that Boyertown Mennonite has been to Franconia and Mosaic Mennonite Conference over these many years. May all that continues to be said and done, bring you honor, glory, and praise we pray in Jesus name, Amen!  

May 2024 Faith and Life Gathering: The Foundation of the Church 

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by Charlene Smalls, Noel Santiago and Hendy Matahelemual

The Faith and Life Commission of Mosaic Conference provides space for pastors and credentialed leaders to build ties of friendship and support. We convene quarterly to discuss scripture and listen to how we might interpret and apply those scriptures. We pray for each other and our congregations in light of our reflections. We seek to develop relationships of mutual trust and accountability, deepening our convictions and the involvement we have in the congregations we lead. (based on the reflections of Lindy Backues [Philadelphia Praise Center]) 

Captions: Participants gather virtually for the May Faith and Life Gathering. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.
Participants gather at Wellspring Church of Skippack (PA). Photo by Noel Santiago. 

Gathering online one day and in person the next, credentialed leaders from around Mosaic gathered to read, reflect, share, and pray for each other during the May 2024 Faith and Life Gathering.  

The theme for this gathering’s focus was the Foundation of the Church. Using 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, three questions opened the conversation: 

  1. Building is a process. Building communities, relationships, and the Kingdom of God here on earth requires work. What can we hold on to and what can we release so that together we strengthen the foundation? (One waters, one plants, God gives the increase). 
  2. How are we building the church or laying the foundation in the context of our priorities – Formational, Missional, and Intercultural? 
  3. What partnering has helped deepen and strengthened you and your ministry? 

A sampling of what participants shared included: 

  • How do we move on and make peace with the people that have not returned to our congregations, after attempts to reach out and embrace what is new?  
  • A recognition that if we cannot talk to one another, how can we talk to or share Good News with others? 
  • Always bring the process of building back to Jesus. 
  • How well do we understand one another’s context, recognizing the differences within the Mosaic Conference? 
  • Having a clear articulation of who we are and not allowing our political views to interfere with Kingdom work, which can pose a danger to the strength of the building.  
  • The importance of being rooted in our gifts and learning from each other, staying humble despite our differences, and remaining open to transformation. 
  • Heartfelt, deep sharing and praying 

While those gathered were small in numbers, the wisdom, care, sharing, and prayers abounded. May God continue to help us build the church on the foundation of Jesus! 

Charlene Smalls

Charlene Smalls is co-pastor of Ripple in Allentown, PA.

Noel Santiago

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

Hendy Matahelemual

Hendy Matahelemual is the Associate Minister for Community Engagement for Mosaic Conference.

You Have Never Traveled This Way Before

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by Noel Santiago

“Since you have never traveled this way before…” – Joshua 3:4a (NLT)

Assembled on the Plains of Moab, Israel received the Mosaic laws outlined in Deuteronomy and mourned the loss of their leader, Moses. Now Joshua is to lead the people of Israel. A generation before, the people did not want to enter the land God had promised Abraham, so they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They had crossed the Red (Reed) Sea and experienced the Lord’s deliverance from Egypt’s might. 

Now this generation, under new leadership, finds themselves on a similar path. They were to cross the Jordan River by following the Ark of the Covenant, the place of God’s presence as noted in Joshua 3:3-4: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them.”  

The instructions to the people continue in Joshua 3, “Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about a half mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.” (NLT) 

In the wilderness, God had used a pillar of cloud and pillar of fire to lead, protect, and provide for the people. That generation was accustomed to experiencing God’s presence and leading in these pillars. Now the new generation is being instructed to follow the Ark of the Covenant. What happened to the pillars? 

All these sojourns and symbols point to and climax in Jesus. From pillars of fire, the Ark of the Covenant, and New Testament imagery like ascending on a cloud and tongues of fire descending on disciples, there is a coherent connectedness through which God’s story flows from one generation to the next.  

How might we understand our story in this larger narrative of God’s story? What pathways are we on? What rivers or seas do we need to cross? What mountains are we invited to climb? What are ways of knowing and following God’s Holy Spirit that might be different than previous generations?

Noel Santiago

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

The Not-So-Easy Leadership Adjustment

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“If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace” (Exodus 18:23, NLT).

We find this text situated in the story of Jethro’s visit with Moses after the liberation of the people of Israel from Egypt. Hearing all that God had done for the people of Israel in rescuing them from the Egyptians, Jethro proclaims, “I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods” (Exod. 18:11) and offers a sacrifice to the God of Israel. 

After celebrating the mighty works of God the day before, Jethro goes out the next day to see what Moses is doing and discovers that Moses is doing everything as the leader of the Israelites: serving as an arbitrator, coordinating decisions, communicating God’s instructions to the people.  Jethro tells Moses, “You’re going to wear yourself out – and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself” (Exod. 18:18, NLT). Jethro continues, giving Moses some advice on how to delegate the work by finding reliable colleagues and empowering others, emphasizing, “If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace” (Exod. 18:23).  

While the people of Israel were still in Egypt, Moses was used to doing everything under the direction of God. However, the context has now changed. They are no longer in Egypt, yet Moses’ leadership style remains the same. Jethro’s wise counsel identifies the reality of the context change and the leadership style required for this new reality. 

Today, we are undergoing significant context changes as well. What are the leadership adjustments required for the context we find ourselves in? What conversations are needed? What questions need to be asked and wrestled with? Whom do we need to empower to help us lead? 

The text notes that Moses listened to Jethro’s counsel and did what he advised. He made leadership adjustments that empowered others to help carry the load. This is not always an easy thing for leaders to do, especially if we want things done a certain way.  

What allowed Moses to make the adjustment? Numbers 12:3 gives us a clue: “Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.” It would seem that leadership adjustments require humility.  

How might we cultivate humility in times of change? Who needs to be empowered to help carry the load? How might we extend grace and truth in love as we struggle to lead in a context that has changed and will continue to change for the foreseeable future? What leadership adjustments might you need to make? 

The Kiss of Betrayal

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By Noel Santiago

Mark 14:43-45:  And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.  The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss (NLT). 

Can you recall any hurtful moments in your life? Have any of those moments included a betrayal? Jesus can identify with you. 

Photo by Francesco Alberti on Unsplash

In this text we see a close friend, disciple, and follower of Jesus betraying him. Earlier that day they shared a meal together and Jesus broke bread with Judas. Now Judas goes out and implements the plan he had already put in place and would receive payment for, prior to breaking bread with Jesus. This was no accident! 

This plan for betrayal called for a special signal to be used to identify the one who is to be arrested. What is the signal? A kiss. Judas had earlier informed the soldiers and temple police, “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.”  

The kiss was not just a greeting of friendship, but a symbol of deep love, affection, obligation, covenant, and relationship. Giving this kind of kiss was a powerful symbol to everyone who saw it. Strangers would never greet each other with a kiss, for it was a greeting reserved only for the most special of relationships. 

It was this kiss, however, that was used as a signal to let the troops know they needed to move quickly to make their arrest. It would be the kiss that initiated the process leading to Jesus’ death. 

Betrayal is not first about what happens to us, it’s first about what’s in us! Betrayal causes hurt, pain, and anger.  Our first response tends to be centered around these feelings. This is not necessarily bad – it’s human.   

Photo by Stacey Franco on Unsplash

One reason for this is that we have expectations of ourselves and others. We somehow see these expectations as a sort of “contract” that has been made with life and others. When those expectations are not met or are even opposed, we suffer. What’s even more difficult is the realization that our imagination of God’s protection rarely includes the notion of suffering, pain, or anguish, let alone betrayal. It’s our response to these expectations that is the greater matter. 

The more love and hope we have invested in others, the deeper the pain of betrayal is.  If it happens at a personal level, we wonder if we will ever trust again. Our heart does “break.” It is at those crossroad moments when the breaking can forever close us down, or—sometimes just the opposite—it can open us up to an enlargement of heart and soul.  

Jesus chose this second path through which he overcame death and the grave and brought forth a renewed invitation to all humanity to be reconciled with God and others. It’s a daring journey that invites us to be healed and to help heal; to be renewed and to renew what is broken in our beautiful world. It’s in the very act of a deep betrayal by a loved one that God in Christ transforms what was meant for death into new life! 

What can be “good” about Good Friday? It’s when God’s life-giving purposes in Christ were set into motion. What good can come from the pain and hurt we experience from others? If we open ourselves to forgive and allow God to transform our pain and hurt into greater Christlikeness, then we too may experience the renewing life-giving resurrection power of Jesus in our lives.

Noel Santiago

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

Yet Even Now

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By Noel Santiago 

As Mosaic Conference, we have affirmed what has become known as the Pathway Document. The first action step listed in this document states: “We believe that we are called by God in this time: To share in the practice of continued prayer and fasting so that we may discern, yield, and listen to the Spirit among us.” 

In John 11, two sisters are concerned about their brother Lazarus. He’s not doing well and could die. They send word to their close, personal friend Jesus, asking him to come. Their hope is that he would heal him, and all would be well. 

As we know, Lazarus dies, and the sisters are in deep mourning and distress. All seems lost. What do they make of this close friend who could have done something about it but didn’t? 

Jesus finally arrives. He is informed of how things could have been different had he arrived sooner, but it’s too late. Lazarus has been dead now four days.  

However, in John 11:22, even though her brother is dead, Martha knows something: “Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You” (HCSB). 

 Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.

John 11:22 (HCSB)

Three little words make a huge difference: “Yet even now.” 

As Mosaic Conference, we have affirmed the Pathway Document which calls us to prayer and fasting. Might these three little words, “yet even now,” still hold possibilities for us? 

  • Yet even now, though we are unsure of what the future holds. 
  • Yet even now, when we wonder how things will work out? 
  • Yet even now, when we ask what the relationship will be between Mosaic and Mennonite Church USA? 
  • Yet even now, when we wonder will Mosaic thrive, survive, or struggle? 

Yet even now … what is it that Jesus knows? 

The beauty we find in the midst of a painful situation is that Jesus was getting ready to show a new side of himself no one had seen before, the side of being the resurrection and the life. 

Could “yet even now” lead to newness of life, to renewed energy, commitment, and lasting life? As we pray, fast, and yield to Holy Spirit, may we experience God’s renewing life!

The beauty we find in the midst of a painful situation is that Jesus was getting ready to show a new side of himself no one had seen before, the side of being the resurrection and the life. 

Noel Santiago

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