The Mennonite Church USA Executive Board affirmed the nomination of Todd Lehman of Hesston, Kan., as moderator-elect at its Feb. 8 meeting via Zoom.

Lehman is the executive director of Offender/Victim Ministries in Newton, Kan., a nonprofit focused on community-based restorative justice. Prior to joining OVM in 2020, Lehman was the campus pastor at Hesston College for 11 years. Before that, he was a youth pastor in Hillsboro, Kan.

Lehman holds a bachelor’s degree in culture, religion and missions from Eastern Mennonite University, a master’s degree in Christian ministry from Friends University and a certificate in faith-based peacemaking from EMU.

Pending affirmation by the Delegate Assembly, which will meet in Greensboro, N.C., on July 11, Lehman will serve alongside incoming moderator Marty Lehman of Goshen, Ind.

Karen Zehr of the finance/audit committee reported the audit showed an increase in assets from $4.36 million in 2023 to $9.3 million in 2024. This was due to the transfer of the Elkhart, Ind., denominational office building from Mennonite Mission Network to the Executive Board, as well as increased donor contributions.

The board approved the denomination’s withdrawal from Christian Churches Together in favor of ecumenical relationships that are more productive and relevant. MC USA joined CCT in response to a 2007 delegate action, but CCT has undergone leadership changes, including the departure of its founder.

Shé Langley, director of event planning, shared plans for the biennial churchwide convention, “Follow Jesus ’25,” July 8-12 in Greensboro, N.C. The opening reception will feature family- friendly comedian Mike Goodwin, an educator-turned-entertainer who has appeared on America’s Got Talent. The closing reception will be a celebration of Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary, sponsored by MennoMedia.

Moderator-elect Marty Lehman ­reported on a meeting with Mosaic Mennonite Conference moderator ­Angela Moyer Walter and assistant moderator Roy Williams following ­Mosaic’s November delegate vote to seek a “robust partnership” with, rather than membership in, MC USA.

The board discussed Mosaic’s exploration of becoming a “program entity” of MC USA. Partner entities — such as the financial organization Everence and the health and human services organization MHS Association — deliver programs and services that carry out churchwide goals. Entities are different from agencies, such as Mennonite Mission Network and MennoMedia, which have a more direct relationship with the denomination.

Board members affirmed Mosaic’s stated desire to strengthen the relationship between Mosaic and the rest of the denomination and expressed openness to learn more about what this might entail. They had numerous questions about what programs and services Mosaic would provide, how Mosaic congregations would relate to MC USA, especially those that wish to remain members, and how Mosaic would address reconciliation with other conferences.

Board members noted that if Mosaic became a program entity rather than continuing as one of MC USA’s 15 conferences, this would not provide a way for Mosaic congregations to be members of the denomination.

With about 7,500 members in 52 congregations, Mosaic is one of MC USA’s largest conferences.

The Executive Board may discuss this again when Mosaic has a more comprehensive proposal.

Iris de León-Hartshorn, associate executive director of operations and human resources, gave an overview of the lawsuit filed by MC USA and two dozen other faith groups that challenges the Trump administration’s decision to rescind a ban on immigration raids in houses of worship. The Executive Board endorsed this action.

Nathan Alleman, Mennonite Education Agency board chair, and Michael Danner, executive director of MEA, presented a preliminary plan for integrating MEA into the Executive Board’s operations. The plan, which is under review by the MEA board, addresses matters such as relationships with higher education schools and the Mennonite School Council. On behalf of the Executive Board, moderator Jon Carlson affirmed the work and offered encouragement to complete the plan.

Executive director Glen Guyton shared a projected timeline for the Structure Review Task Group. The goal is “to reimagine a framework that maintains the interconnectedness between the church’s various entities and better responds to current and future needs.” The two-year timeline will be shared with delegates in July.

Marty Lehman, chair of the Resolutions Committee, said the committee aims to publish proposed resolutions in May.

Anabaptist World contributed to this report.