by Mercedes Thomas

These were the words shared with me a week and a half ago during a visit with Aled Griffith, Nick Scott, and Shane Good. Aled is the Team Leader for Synergy, a family of churches across the UK, Spain, and the US Midwest. Visiting from the UK, Aled brought along his friends Nick (from New Zealand) and Shane (from Indiana) to Lancaster, PA to spend time with LMC Bishops, pastors, and staff.

On Thursday, June 26, LMC staff had the opportunity to spend time with Aled, Nick, and Shane, getting to know one another and sharing our vision and hope for the future of LMC as a Spirit-led movement. During our sharing, we welcomed our guests to speak and offer prophetic discernment to us. This is when Nick shared the words “Make Room.”

Though these words have a meaningful impact for me personally, they also seemed to have a corporate meaning for LMC as we expressed our desire to see more young leaders within our movement.

We recognize the need for young and emerging leaders and the unique perspectives and influence they have if we are to reach the next generation. LMC leadership and staff understand that stewarding the potential found in emerging leaders benefits the whole organization and we are invested in this work. For example, LMC offers STEP (3-year training program) and SEED (training program for ESL students) to equip leaders for ministry work; under LMC staff Rosita N’Dikwe, we hosted a Youth Leaders’ Retreat this past winter to resource those who work with the youth; and we have appointed Nyah Tinsley as LMC’s Young Anabaptist Delegate to Mennonite World Conference to represent the youth and young adults of our conference.

However, we still have room to grow.

It’s no secret that I am the youngest member of LMC’s staff. I knew before stepping into my role that would be the case. I can say confidently that LMC leadership and staff have easily welcomed me, they encourage my perspective and input, and they empower me to be a better leader. I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of this movement!

But what would it look like if there were more young leaders across LMC leadership: as Bishops, pastors, credentialed leaders, and staff? What conversations might we be having? What new groups and people would we be reaching?

So after Nick shared the words “Make Room,” and we spent more time sharing and speaking prophetically over one another, we took time to pray together. In particular, we prayed for more young leaders in LMC. We asked that God would raise up and send out more young people on mission. If we are to be a movement that lasts, it’s crucial to have these young and emerging leaders.

Joel 2:28–29 speaks of the “day of the Lord,” and when God will pour out His Spirit on all his people. He says, “your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (v. 28). As a Spirit-led movement, we acknowledge that the Spirit is at work in all of God’s people: men and women, old and young. Are we hearing the Spirit fully if we’re not listening to how the Spirit is speaking to our young people?

I invite the Lord to “make room;” make room in our hearts and make room in our spaces so we are ready and willing to welcome young and emerging leaders. I am expectant on the Lord to answer these prayers. And I am excited for the future, where LMC will continue to grow and represent many races, ethnicities, people groups, and ages.

Mercedes Thomas serves on LMC staff as the Communications Director. Outside of work, she leads a missional community of young adults who gather to learn more about God, look more like Jesus, and play lots of card and board games. She attends New Danville Mennonite Church.