Jeremy Ashworth

Jeremy Ashworth is the Pastor of the Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren in the Phoenix suburbs of Peoria, Arizona.

Founa Badet

Rev. Founa I. Augustin Badet serves as Director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, Director of Haitian Ministries, part of the District Executive Leadership Team at the Atlantic Southeast District Church of the Brethren, and a Circuit Rider for Haitian Creole Pastors by helping to promote self-care and permanent ways to support, provide and foster helpful growth with learning opportunities for multi-vocational pastors in the Church of the Brethren.

She is invested in tangible ways in her community as Pastor of Jesus Lounge Ministry, one of the ways she is present as Jesus in the neighborhood supporting the community with resources and services. Founa is the Administrative Secretary and founder of Women of Impossibilities. Currently, Founa serves as the Nominating Committee Chair/Treasurer for S.D. Spady Elementary PTA. Board member at Camp Ithiel, and Committee member of the Anti-Bias Coalition of Delray Beach, Florida.

Founa is wife to Herman, mother to Valencia, Josias and Loudyn. Loving daughter of Marie Luvie (USA) and Edner (Haiti); and sister to her many siblings. She loves to mentor and be mentored. She has her bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry, and master’s in leadership from Trinity International University. Founa is also a Certified Mental Health First Aid from the National Council of Mental Wellbeing trained to provide initial help to someone experiencing a mental health or substance challenge. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, movies, playing and dancing with her family. Founa loves Salsa and movement. In her wellness journey, you will find her at a Zumba class or Pilates.

Ryan Braught

Ryan Braught is the Church Planting Pastor of the Veritas Community in Lancaster, PA. Along with his wife and kids he founded the Veritas Community in 2009. He is the husband to Kim, and father to Kaiden and Trinity. Ryan has a BS in Telecommunications from Kutztown University and a Master of Arts in Religion from Evangelical Theological Seminary. Besides his work with Veritas, Ryan is a Circuit Rider with the Part Time Pastor:Full Time Church program of the Church of the Brethren, a Barista at Slate Cafe in Lititz, PA, and in the winter is a Snowboard Instructor at Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, PA. Ryan also enjoys reading books, watching movies, listening to music, snowboarding, and hanging out with his family.

Becky Ullom Nagle

Becky Ullom Naugle, Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministries for the Church of the Brethren, has been journeying with the faithful and talented youth, young adults, and those who minister with those youth/young adults for 15 years. Although Becky graduated from McPherson College and Bethany Theological Seminary, her current educational focus involves intensive, immersive training in nurturing small humans. Becky and Patrick are parents of two amazing kids: Ethan (6) and Jackson (9).

Leonor Ochoa

Leonor Ochoa resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a Speaker, Preacher and Pastor-planter of Ebenezer, COB. Born in the Dominican Republic, she has been married for 35 years to Pastor and Agron-Eng. Eric Ramirez, with whom she has 3 sons and 1 daughter they are grandparents of 3 grandchildren: 2 girls and 1 boy.

Pastor Leonor is a lawyer, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) with credentials in Dominican Republic, has a master

’s degree in clinical Pastoral Counseling, ELOHIM THEOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY.

Pastor Leonor along with her husband and members of her Ebenezer Church, began in the year 2023 their first missionary work in Quito, Ecuador and another in the Indigenous community of Boliche in COTOPAXI province, Ecuador, where they are supporting and raising the Missionary Church of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd.

Pastor Lenor also is a producer and hosts the program: “Mujeres al Aire con Leonor Ochoa” which is heard every week on WLCH Radio Centro, a community radio station with radio coverage in Lancaster and York County, PA.

Leonor Ochoa reside en Lancaster, Pensilvania. Es Conferencista, Predicadora y Pastora-Sembradora de Ebenezer, COB. Nacida en la Republica Dominicana, esta casada por 35 años con el Pastor e Ing. Agro. Eric Ramírez, con quien procreó 3 hijos y 1 hija y abuelos de 3 nietos: 2 niñas y 1 niño.

La Pastora Leonor Es abogada Universidad Primada de América, (UASD) con credenciales en República Dominicana, tiene Maestría en Consejería Clínica Pastoral, UNIVERDITY THEOLOGICAL ELOHIM La Pastora Leonor junto a su esposo y miembros de su Iglesia Ebenezer, iniciaron en el año 2023 su primera obra misionera en Quito, Ecuador y otra en la comunidad Indígena de Boliche provincia COTOPAXI, Ecuador, donde están apoyando y levantando la Iglesia Misionera Jesucristo el buen Pastor.

La pastora es Productora y Locutora del Programa: “Mujeres al Aire con Leonor Ochoa” que se escucha todas las semanas por la emisora WLCH Radio Centro, Emisora Comunitaria con cobertura radial en el condado de Lancaster y York en PA.

Jody Romero

Jody Romero, Pastor
Restoration Los Angeles
Ordained Minister, Church of the Brethren
Husband to Vanessa (26 Years)
Father of 6: Jordyn, Chloe, Ezekiel, Judah, Mackenzie and Macey

Jody and his wife, Vanessa, are dedicated church planters who, in the spring of 2010, merged with a Brethren Church in East Los Angeles, California. Fifteen years later, their ministry, Restoration Los Angeles, has flourished into a vibrant church community committed to reaching its local area, making disciples of Jesus, and planting new churches.

Beyond their local efforts, Jody and Vanessa have had the privilege of ministering internationally, strengthening and encouraging churches and church planters across the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Europe, and South Africa. They possess a deep passion for Jesus, His Church, and for those who have yet to encounter His love.

Throughout their journey, they have raised three grown children who are now serving Jesus in Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and Warrnambool, Australia. Currently, they are raising their second “batch” of children, aged 5, 12, and 15. They are also proud grandparents to Leon, a beautiful South African-Mexican-American boy living in Chicago, Illinois.

Gina Wright-Hawkins

Gina serves as Pastor of Monte Vista Church of the Brethren and as Pastor/Planter of The Way in the Virlina District. Her focus in these roles is to encourage the study of scripture, discipleship, and building communities centered around Jesus. She and her husband, David, live in Roanoke, Virginia and treasure the time they get to spend with their two daughters, son-in-law, and five grandsons.

Don Mitchell

Don V. Mitchell is a native of Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL where he met his wife Belita D. Mitchell, former Moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. After living in Chicago, the couple relocated to Southern California where they resided for over 31 years. Married for over four decades the Mitchell’s are the parents of four adult children (one deceased) and four grandchildren. The couple came to Pennsylvania at the end of 2003 when Belita accepted the call to serve as the Senior Pastor of Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren. Don has served on the ANE Witness Commission, Turf Committee, Chair of the Church Planting Mission Commission in the Pacific Southwest District and attended New Church Development training events and church planting workshops sponsored by Bethany Theological Seminary and the General Board.

Don currently serves on the New Church Development Advisory Committee of the Church of the Brethren and is Chair of Brethren Community Ministries. An accomplished musician Don has traveled across the denomination on many Urban Peace Tours sponsored by the former Church of the Brethren Office of Witness.

Don is also a member of the New & Renew Advisory Team.

Richard Brode

A native of South-Central Pennsylvania, Richard Brode is a songwriter, composer and musician, with a B.S. from Lebanon Valley College and a M.A.Th. from Bethany Theological Seminary. He has 4 hymn tunes published by Brethren Press, co-wrote and produced a Peace Musical in 1994 and composed the music for the 1999 Annual Conference theme hymn.

Richard was Conference Pianist at the 2005 Annual Conference, Morning Worship Pianist at the 2017 National Older Adult Conference and keyboardist at the 2023 New and Renew Conference. He is Musician at Chicago First Church of the Brethren; when visiting family in PA, he plays keyboards with the Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren Praise Band.

Richard played keyboards in Who, Beatles and Paul McCartney tribute bands, including live performances on Chicago radio and at the United Center. He is an avid bridge and pickleball player and baseball fan, and he lives with his wonderful wife Yvonne in Berwyn, IL.

Michael Gutierrez

Hi – my name is Michael Gutierrez. Growing up, I started playing guitar at an early age. Like most players, I would join bands, moving from one band to another. Well, I got older and got married … which was a lot of responsibility … so I stopped playing.

While attending Crossroads Church, word got out that they were looking for a guitar player/singer, so I signed up for a tryout and I’ve been playing with this worship group ever since. I am loving it…my gift… thank you God!

Worshiping the Lord, it’s awesome!

Vinnie Gutierrez

Hi, I’m Vinny Gutierrez. I started playing music about 50 years ago and played from the ’50s to the ’80s. I also joined a Van Halen band and also a KISS band with full costume in the late ’90s. In early 2002 I became part of a BEATLES band, playing Paul McCartney which gave me a chance to play in the Bahamas for a 3-month Tour.

I was asked to join the worship team at my church about 6 years ago and been loving it ever since.

James Washington

In 1959 at the age of 16, James began a serious relationship with God. Ordained as a deacon in 1966, he was ordained to the ministry in 1977, and at that time he was a member of Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church. In the latter part of 1978, James founded the Bethel Temple community Church in Pomona CA. He studied theology at the University of La Verne, under Prof. Vernard Eller, and studied pastoral counseling in Claremont College under Prof. Howard Clinebell.

Early he played lead guitar for the Christian Crusaders in Fort Worth Texas, and later he played bass guitar for the Bittersweet Gospel Band in Los Angeles, California.

James served as one of five-members of the anti-racism training team for the Church of the Brethren from 2003 to 2007, He and Sandra Founded Best Friends Ministries, sharing African-American culture through music and plays as well as working with youth. He wrote one book that is at the publishers and is working on his second book at the publishers’ request.

He Co-founded Time Out Ministries. Time out is an acronym for, today’s interaction may encourage our unity tomorrow. Finding ways to embrace our diversity as the people of God. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician. James has been married to Sandra for 18 years and together have a blended family of nine children, and a truck load of grand and great-grandchildren.

He is the pastor of both Pleasant View and Elm Street Church of the Brethren in Lima Ohio. James has served on the Pacific Southwest and the Northern Ohio District boards and is a member of the Allen County mental health advisory board. Along the way a loving and enriching relationship was created with many people who have been a blessing in his life.