Franklin Conference Update Franklin Conference leaders passed a decision to join Lancaster Mennonite Conference on September 27 by a 92% vote. The congregations will be incorporated into LMC as Franklin District. The district has 14 congregations in Pa. and Md.
Constitutional Change Vote On September 21 at the Fall Leadership Assembly, credentialed leaders approved with a 100% vote a series of changes to the LMC constitution. The changes included stylistic, editorial, and substantive changes. The changes included the replacement of the prior Executive Committee with the new Conference Executive Council, which now serves as the governing body of the Conference between sessions of the Leadership Assembly.
Manheim Mennonite Church DISTRICT: Manheim LOCATION: 201 West High Street, Manheim, Pa. 17545 DATE OF FOUNDING: 1896 AVERAGE SUNDAY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: 40 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE: Sunday School – 9:30 a.m.; Worship Service – 10:30 a.m. PASTORS: Joseph A. Stahl – Lead Pastor, D. David Martin – Associate Pastor, pictured with his… Read More
Surprised by Jesus The perspective of someone willing to give church ‘another shot’ By Lillian Faith Ruark God must have given my parents a nudge when they named me. “Faith” has played a key role in my life as both my greatest struggle and my saving grace. Early on, I became aware of a powerful but peaceful energy I could connect with through nature: walking through the woods,… Read More
Kingdom Desperation Following Jesus’ example of removing barriers By Pastor Joe Sherer Desperation. It can be a good thing. Desperation can cause people to finally get the help they need. It can cause people faced with health threats to finally stop smoking or to start exercising. It can motivate people to invent solutions to common problems or find cures for diseases. Desperate times call for desperate measures,… Read More
Mellinger Mennonite Church DISTRICT: Mellinger LOCATION: 1916 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 DATE OF FOUNDING: 1717 AVERAGE SUNDAY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: 280 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE: Sunday School – 9:00 a.m.; Worship Service – 10:00 a.m. PASTORAL TEAM: Left to right front row. Matt Fahnestock, Director of Music, Joe Miller, Lead Pastor, Doris Nolt, deacon. Back row left to right. Leon Oberholtzer, Minister of Care, Andrea Brubaker, Minister of… Read More
Benders Mennonite Church DISTRICT: Weaverland-NE PA LOCATION: 975 Benders Church Road, Pen Argyl, PA 18072 DATE OF FOUNDING: 1955 AVERAGE SUNDAY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: 48 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE: Sunday School – 9:00 a.m.; Worship Service – 10:10 a.m. PASTOR: Brent Stoy In early 1952, three men from the Goodville and Lichtys congregations in eastern Lancaster County and one from the Mission Board felt a call from God to start… Read More
Joy Unspeakable Outreach, Revival, and Racial Integration in Steelton, Pa. By Richard Cline My name is Richard Cline. At almost 99, I may be the last living person who served at the beginning of Sharon Mennonite Church in Steelton. Myers Street, a mission church for white people, began in Steelton in 1935. Concerned also for black children, the mission decided to follow Bible school with a separate… Read More
New Bishops James Sutton began as bishop in the new Eastern Ohio District, which has five congregations. James Sutton’s vision is to encourage pastors and congregations to continue and advance the work of Christ, the work of disciple making and kingdom building through personal prayer and evangelism, public proclamation and invitation, and engagement with our communities through “good Samaritan” works of love and compassion. He lives in… Read More
Mark Wenger Departs Leadership of STEP Dr. Mark Wenger ended his leadership of the STEP (Study and Training for Effective Pastoral ministry) program on June 28 after 13 years of dedicated service. He provided the formative leadership of this new program in its early years, which placed it on a firm financial footing. As STEP gained momentum, Wenger provided mature guidance that included a complete curriculum refresh two years ago and… Read More