Speakers for worship services at Mennonite Church USA’s national convention in Greensboro, N.C., July 8-12 will amplify the theme, “Follow Jesus.”

The theme is rooted in MC USA’s Renewed Commitments, a 2019 document that calls members to follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Worship services will focus on Luke 4, in which Jesus expresses the purpose of his ministry by reading from the prophet Isaiah.

On opening night, Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for ministerial leadership, will speak on “Follow Jesus: Expectations for Followers of Jesus.” She is a former pastor who served at Portland Mennonite Church in Oregon and Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton, Kan. She is a member of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind.

On July 9, Lerone A. Martin, a historian, scholar and cultural commentator, will speak on “Preach: What Does It Mean to Preach Good News?” He is the faculty director for the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University and a leading voice on the intersection of religion, politics and race.

Worship on July 10 will feature a panel discussion led by Melissa Florer-Bixler, pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church in North Carolina, and Caleb McClendon, assistant pastor at C3 Hampton in Virginia, on “Recover and Release: What Does Healing Look Like?”

Panelists are Katherine Dickson, an advocate for people with disabilities who has served with Anabaptist Disabilities Network as a volunteer field associate for 15 years; Jon-Erik (J.E.) Misz, a mental health therapist and leader for Adult Outpatient Services and Amish Services Teams at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Goshen, Ind.; and Sarah Werner, communications coordinator for Central District Conference and the leader of Olentangy Wild Church in Columbus, Ohio.

On July 11, a speaker identified only as Frank in an MC USA release will speak on “Liberate: How Do We Join the Ministry of Liberation?” A member of Pasadena Mennonite Church in California, Frank is a Guatemalan who organizes with grassroots social movements across borders.

Lesley Francisco McClendon, senior pastor of C3 Hampton, will wrap up the convention with “Let’s Celebrate God’s Love for Us and the World!” An instructor at Duke Divinity School and an adjunct professor of preaching at multiple seminaries, she is the founder of Herstoric Inc., a leadership network dedicated to empowering people to discover their voice, lead with confidence and leave a lasting impact.

Seminars will be arranged in four learning tracks.

— Mind Track: Anabaptist Theology and Faith Formation. This track will explore the rich heritage and contemporary relevance of Anabaptist beliefs. It is for those seeking to deepen their theological knowledge and for educators aiming to enrich their teaching with a solid Anabaptist foundation.

— Heart Track: Peace, Justice and Belonging. Embodying the church’s role as a historic peace church, this track also emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion. Sessions will cover topics such as reconciliation, nonviolent resistance and building inclusive communities. Participants will learn from activists, peacemakers and community leaders, gaining skills to engage in social justice issues.

— Body Track: Church Structure and Leadership Skills. This track is designed to strengthen skills for church leaders. It offers workshops and discussions on church governance, conflict resolution, effective communi­cation and strategic planning. Partici­pants will learn from church leaders and management experts, gaining insights into building resilient and adaptive church structures.

— Spirit Track: Worship and ­Spiritual Disciplines. This track ­invites participants to explore and deepen their spiritual practices. It offers a journey into the heart of worship and spiritual disciplines within the Anabaptist tradition. Sessions will include guided prayer, meditation, biblical study and exploration of spiritual practices such as simplicity and community living.