Mission and Ministry Board Vision, Mission, and Core Values
Mission and Ministry Board members
(terms conclude at Annual Conference each year)
Kathy Mack, chair (2027)
Josiah Ludwick, chair-elect (2029)
Michaela Alphonse (2027)
Daniel Butler (2030)
Edward Cesar-Fincher (2029)
Barbara Daté (2026)
Joel Gibbel (2027)
Tina Hunt (2028)
Robert Jackson (2028)
Sarah Mason (2030)
Rosanna Eller McFadden (2027)
Deirdre Moyer (2028)
Karen Shively Neff (2026)
Colby Patton (2029)
Eric Ramirez (2030)
Janice Shaw-Morgan (2029)
Joanna Wave Willoughby (2026)
Leadership Team
Don Fitzkee, Moderator
Dennis Beckner, Moderator-elect
David Steele, General Secretary
David Shumate, Secretary
Pete Kontra, District Executive, Atlantic Northeast District
Ex Officio members
Nevin Dulabaum, president, Eder Financial
Jeff Carter, president, Bethany Theological Seminary
Marie Benner Rhoades & Matt Guynn (alternating), Co-Executive Directors, On Earth Peace
Meeting dates
2026
March 13-15, Modesto, Ca.
June 27/28-July 2, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
October 16-18, Elgin, Ill.
2027
March 12-14, Elgin, Ill.
July 28-August 1, Daytona Beach, Fla.
October 15-17, Elgin, Ill.
2028
March 10-12, Elgin, Ill.
Annual Conference, location/dates TBA
October 20-22, Elgin, Ill.
2029
March 9-11, Elgin, Ill.
Annual Conference, location/dates TBA
October 19-21, Elgin, Ill.
2030
March 8-10/11, Elgin, Ill.
Annual Conference, location/dates TBA
October 17/18-20, Elgin, Ill.
*July meeting dates are held in conjunction with Annual Conference. Conference scheduling may necessitate date adjustments.
Related News
Resolution on weapons transfer is adopted by the 2026 Annual Conference
The delegate body of the 2026 Annual Conference on Wednesday afternoon, July 1, adopted a “Resolution on Weapons Transfer” with a solid majority vote. The paper cites Matthew 5:44b-45, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…,” to call the Church of the Brethren to “examine and respond to the impacts of the arms industry.”
‘Walking Together’ resolution on care for immigrants is adopted
The Mission and Ministry Board brought their recent resolution for adoption by the delegate body. Titled “Walking Together: Immigration, Peacemaking, Conscience, and Supporting our Neighbors,” it reiterates that “care for immigrants and refugees is an essential part of the Christian and Church of the Brethren ethic of service and peacemaking.”
Mission and Ministry Board adopts two statements on Supreme Court decisions, approves budget parameter for 2027
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its pre-Annual Conference meeting on Sunday, June 28, adopted two statements on Supreme Court decisions.
Revelation 7:9 Award is given to Wendy McFadden and Nancy Sollenberger Heishman
The Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries held its annual Revelation 7:9 Award presentation during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting on Sunday, June 28. Intercultural director Founa Augustin Badet presented the award, which recognizes church members and congregations for their contributions to a vision of intercultural ministries in their communities, within the denomination, and in the world at large.
Mission and Ministry Board approves statement of intent regarding future of the General Offices
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren on Wednesday evening, June 17, approved a Statement of Intent regarding the future of the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., which is the denomination’s headquarters. The statement announces that “the board is exploring options for relocation of the denominational headquarters and will be pursuing the responsible sale of the current headquarters property.”
Board urges prayerful action to support immigrants
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board met March 13-25, 2026, in Modesto, California. The board issues a resolution on immigration and heard many reports. A highlight was attendance Sunday at five local congregations.
‘A Spirit of Power and Love’: A statement from the Church of the Brethren Inter-Agency Forum
The Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum (IAF) met in Florida on Jan. 27 and has issued the following statement. The IAF includes officers of the denomination’s Annual Conference; the general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and the chair of the Mission and Ministry Board; representatives of the Council of District Executives; and executives and chairs of the boards of the three Annual Conference agencies: Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace.
When life is chaotic and out of control, how do we stay strong in faith?
Weighing heavy on my heart is the violence and political unrest being experienced in Minnesota. Most of the activity is occurring in Minneapolis, but there is an ICE presence here in Rochester as well.
Mission and Ministry Board approves 2026 budget during special Zoom meeting
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board held a special meeting by Zoom on the evening of Nov. 24 to approve the 2026 budget for the denominational ministries.
Mission and Ministry Board extends general secretary’s term, recognizes Material Resources, approves 2026 budget parameter, among other business
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board held its fall 2025 meeting on Oct. 17-19 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., led by chair Kathy Mack with chair-elect Josiah Ludwick and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board postpones budget parameter decision, calls executive committee
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board met in advance of Annual Conference in Greensboro, N.C., for its summer meeting. Presiding over the meeting on July 2 was chair Colin Scott, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and general secretary David Steele.
Melissa Fritz concludes her work with Material Resources
Melissa Fritz on July 8 concluded her work as a packer with the Material Resources program of the Church of the Brethren. The program is located at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. This layoff is due to the upcoming closure of the Material Resources program at the end of 2025.
Revelation 7:9 Awards are presented by Intercultural Ministries
The annual Revelation 7:9 Awards were presented to eight individuals this year, in an event held during the Mission and Ministry Board’s pre-Conference meeting on July 2 in Greensboro, N.C. Intercultural Ministries director Founa A. Badet presented the awards.
‘Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces’ nationwide prayer vigil supports lawsuit to protect sanctuaries
An interfaith prayer vigil on the evening of Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) held both in-person at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., (5 Thomas Circle NW) and online via live-stream will support a court hearing in the sensitive locations lawsuit.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts resolution on weapons transfers at spring meeting
A resolution on weapons transfers was adopted by the Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board at its spring meeting held March 7-9 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Board chair Colin Scott led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and general secretary David Steele.
Church of the Brethren general secretary’s declaration filed alongside dozens of others in motion for preliminary injunction of policy on sensitive sites
Here is an update on the lawsuit filed on Feb. 11, 2025, on behalf of the Church of the Brethren and more than two dozen other Christian and Jewish religious denominations and associations, in response to the Trump Administration’s rescission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “sensitive locations” policy that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests, and other enforcement actions at houses of worship.
Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board shares concern for immigrant, migrant, refugee church members (in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole)
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board expresses grave concern for those across the country who are of migrant, immigrant, or refugee status who may be under threat of deportation following recent presidential executive orders. These renewed threats of deportation are already affecting the lives of many in our denomination’s congregations.
Thursday, Jan. 16, is declared a day of prayer and fasting for the Church of the Brethren, at the request of Atlantic Southeast District
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board has declared Thursday, Jan. 16, a day of prayer and fasting for the denomination, at the request of the board of the church’s Atlantic Southeast District. The declaration invites all Church of the Brethren congregations, projects, fellowships, the board, and the denominational staff to participate.
Statement of priorities guides budget decision by Mission and Ministry Board
A statement outlining a set of ministry priorities for the Church of the Brethren denomination has guided the Mission and Ministry Board’s decision on the 2025 budget. These priorities, identified by executive-level staff following a series of retreats that general secretary David Steele held over the past year, were outlined by Steele working with the Executive Committee.
Mission and Ministry Board approves 2025 budget for denominational ministries, affirms day of prayer and fasting for immigrants
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board held a special Zoom meeting Dec. 5 to act on a proposal for the 2025 budget for denominational ministries. Two items were acted on: The board approved the 2025 budget proposal brought by general secretary David Steele and treasurer Ed Woolf and recommended by the Executive Committee. The board supported a request from the board of Atlantic Southeast District for a day of prayer and fasting for immigrants.