STEP Curriculum “I find my biblical knowledge has grown significantly. I am more intentional about practicing the disciplines and I am much better at identifying and holding personal boundaries both at home and in ministry settings!” ~From a Student “STEP has been a big help in my new role as associate pastor. I found it very helpful to learn more about who I am and my own… Read More
Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places STEP Student Reflection (Year 1) by Elvin Kennel By Elvin Kennel In my faith journey, I have experienced several times where I felt that God was clearly nudging me into a “path shift.” Three years ago, I felt a renewed nudge that my ministry was to shift from that of a schoolteacher and administrator into another ministry. After thirty-six years of my ministry in the… Read More
STEP Grants and Stats The LMC Grants Committee is thankful to be able to support and award thirty-five individuals with $25,700 in their educational journeys in the past year. Seventeen of these individuals are STEP students. To learn more about LMC grants, visit https://lmcchurches.org/lmc-grants/? “Resting in the Holy Spirit and listening to His voice greatly improved through STEP. Was grateful for the spiritual discipline books, study, and practice.” ~From… Read More
Better Together, equipped to lead alongside Jesus Student Reflections (Year 2) By Sammy White I was led to join STEP after watching my husband go through the program in 2020. Seeing the transformation in his thinking, understanding, and relationship with Jesus made me excited to join. He began to lead our family in practicing the Spiritual Disciplines and grew in his listening and study skills. We knew we would be better equipped… Read More
UNWRAPPED Esta carta está traducida al Español después de la de Ingles Bi-weekly emailNovember 2023 “Unwrapped”As I have been pondering the story of Lazarus from John 11, two verses in particular have captured my attention and imagination. John 11:43,44 – When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around… Read More
A Word From The Chairman of the STEP Oversight Comission Hello, my name is Tom Eshleman. I’ve been a STEP instructor for eight years and have recently begun chairing the STEP Oversight Commission (SOC). The primary purpose of SOC is to give vision and oversight to the STEP program. I’ve witnessed STEP students profoundly impacted by the relationships they form with their fellow students who are also responding to God’s call to ministry. The STEP… Read More
LMC New Staff Rosita N’Dikwe began work as an administrative assistant in March of this year (2023) as a part-time staff. She focuses primarily on event planning, Legacy Foundation grant administration, and other administrative support. Rosita and her husband, Danwe, are members of Elizabethtown Mennonite Church–serving together as Ministers of Youth. Rosita also serves as the church secretary. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters.
Given to God as a Tithe-Called to be a Pastor STEP Student Reflection (Year 1) By Pham Dinh Ton My name is Pham Dinh Ton. I am Vietnamese. I am thirty-nine years old. I have a wife and two kids – a son and a daughter. I was born in a Christian family. My father has ten children and I am the last one. When I was a child, my father told me he would… Read More
Bishop Elders Team Bi-weekly email A Blue Crab Story Esta carta está traducida al Español después de la de Ingles by Tuyen Nguyen One Saturday late summer afternoon in a North Carolina crabber town, after the worship service at a house of a believer in the area, a young couple who had been with this group off and on for about three years, came to my table and sat across from me.… Read More
Listening to the Call of God … …REQUIRES SURRENDER Danwe N’Dikwe clearly remembers telling his STEP cohort during the first day of class, that he did not want to be a minister or a pastor! Instead, curiosity and a desire to deepen his understanding of his journey with Christ sparked an initial interest in STEP. Not one to be particularly disciplined to dive into or stick to academic research or studies, when… Read More