Reflections from the 75th Annual Pastors Conference—Dayton Mennonite Church, Virginia
Plenary Sessions – Myron Roggie
The plenary sessions at Pastors Conference 2024 were divided into three periods of history with three different speakers, each with the overall theme, “Radical Trust.”
Marcus Yoder, executive director of the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center and the Ohio Amish Library in Berlin, Ohio, was the speaker for the first session, titled Jesus in Our Past. He shared his personal life experiences and his deep understanding of our Anabaptist history, including several details of the figures involved and shifts that were occurring before and during the Reformation. At the heart of each of these figures and shifts was the motivation of radical trust in Jesus. Although the motivation was correct, Marcus was quick to share that not all our Anabaptist forefathers or shifts in the past were successful in fulfilling the teachings of Jesus. Some we would like to forget due to the deviation and devastation linked to them. Marcus reminded us to “remember them lest we make the same mistakes.” Marcus also reminded us that our early Anabaptist forefathers who were martyrs for their faith had no idea that their “story” would ever be told. They lived, and died, with a radical faith in Jesus as their motivation, not fame or earthly glory. These people were followers of Jesus at the very core of their existence. Radical trust in Him was the obvious byproduct of that heart relationship.
The second session was titled Jesus in Our Present, presented by Conference Pastor Darren Peachy. Darren began by sharing and celebrating examples of how Jesus is working and changing lives, in and around us. The rich history we have of Jesus meeting and touching people who radically trust Him has not ended somewhere in the past but continues strong and vibrant today, and we should celebrate each time we hear another example. These celebrations do far more than just get us excited; they draw us together as followers of Jesus and help us maintain focus on what is truly important. There are, and always have been, challenges and distractions to moving forward in unity in our individual churches and as a network of churches. Focusing on Jesus, and what He is presently doing in us and among us, draws us together when other forces seek to divide. Jesus is worthy of our radical trust!
Executive Director Brian Hershberger shared the third session, Jesus in Our Future. Brian framed his thoughts around our understanding of the Trinity—we believe in one God existent in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He acknowledged that as human, earthly beings, our minds cannot grasp anywhere near the fullness of this truth. He stated that as a network, we have done well in pushing into the Father and Son aspects of the Godhead. He challenged us not to back away from pressing into those but to “pull” more heavily into the Spirit of God in our future. Brian recognized that this may be challenging as we all have some experiences or “baggage” that we bring to this topic that may or may not be helpful. He encouraged us to be alert to when and where in scripture the Holy Spirit is referenced and the outcome of the situations recorded. We have nothing to fear in seeking more of the Holy Spirit’s presence and influence in our lives, our churches, and our network in the future. He, the Spirit, will guide us into all truth.
Myron serves on the pastoral team at Naumburg Mennonite Church in Castorland, New York. He and Julie have two young adult children and one grandchild.
Women’s Fellowship Meeting – Emily Mast
I was encouraged by Lindsey Martin’s talk to us ladies on Thursday morning, inviting us to radically trust God with the silent pain that we can carry in our stories. What do we do with this pain? How do we minister when we carry our burdens and feel like no one understands what we are going through? Can we see our wilderness as an invitation for intimate friendship with God?
The silent pain that God sends us can accomplish its purpose when we have complete dependence on God. It gives us a pure love for people, void of needing their affirmation, but loving them through the eyes of Jesus. Silent pain creates humility in us when we feel truly seen by God, and believe that He also sees other people’s pain. The silent story that we carry can create confidence and holy boldness in us when we surrender to the story that God is writing and radically trust Him with our pain.
Emily is married to Phil, and the mother of four children. She lives in northern Virginia, homeschools her children, and is a member of Dayspring Mennonite Church.
Fellowship and Community – Roxie Roth
Pastors Conference has become a time that I look forward to attending, meeting new people, sharing with them, and finding out that others are going through similar experiences. It is encouraging to know that we have godly friends who are walking a very similar journey in life, and we can reach out to them for encouragement, wisdom, and support.
A highlight has been meeting up with our Checking In group. This is always a time of encouragement and sharing where this journey has and is taking us. We are blessed to be able to be open and honest with each other and to spend time praying for each other.
I also enjoy the women’s meeting; it is a time of refreshment and encouragement, catching up with friends and making new ones. God has been so faithful and has shown up at each Pastors Conference with just what my heart needed. He is so good!
Roxie enjoys serving along with her husband, Brad, at East Fairview Mennonite Church. Her favorite thing to do is spending time with her children and granddaughter.
Breakout Sessions – Lowell & Rachelle Eastman
After coming home from Pastors Conference 2024, my wife and I were very grateful and blessed from the week of fully experiencing God’s goodness. Rachelle and I have grown to enjoy the opportunity to gather and spend time with friends, make new ones, rest, and be spiritually encouraged at these gatherings. We appreciated the variety of breakout sessions that were available this year. I was glad to see the options from growing and being encouraged in our ministry with breakout sessions like Walking with a New Believer and Shift from Doer to Equipper to church ministry options for youth leaders and Effective Small Groups to growing God’s body with church plants or personal care sessions on Marriage & Ministry. While not everyone attends every session, it still gives many places to rest and recover or be stretched and strengthened for being used in building God’s kingdom here and now. Many thanks to Pastors Conference planners and the individuals who were willing to be resource speakers for this year’s event.
Lowell & Rachelle live in Fairview, Michigan, where Lowell pastors full-time at Fairview Mennonite Church and Rachelle does a bit of substitute teaching. They enjoy working together to build the Kingdom.
