The next executive director of Mennonite Church USA calls himself a “traditional Anabaptist,” having been rebaptized at Calvary Community Church, a Mennonite congregation in Hampton, Va.
He’s also a convert to Christ’s way of peace.
When Glen Guyton joined Calvary in 1993, he was serving in the military, stationed at Langley Air Force Base.
He credits Mennonite leaders — especially Bishop L.W. Francisco III, pastor at Calvary, and Titus Peachy, formerly of Mennonite Central Committee — with teaching him what it means to be an Anabaptist Christian committed to nonviolence.
Their counsel led him to leave the Air Force, where he had attained the rank of captain. He credits the Mennonite and Quaker military counseling ministries with helping him file paperwork to be discharged as a conscientious objector.
Guyton — from San Antonio, Texas, and currently MC USA’s chief operating officer and director of convention planning — will begin a three-year term as executive director May 1. The Executive Board announced his appointment Feb. 9.
He will succeed Ervin Stutzman, who is retiring April 30. Stutzman’s eight-year tenure will be celebrated at a joint Executive Board and Constituency Leaders Council meeting April 11-14 in Lansdale, Pa.
Of his call to serve, Guyton said: “I owe it to my children and younger generations to continue on this journey. This role is not about me, but the wonderful people that make us MC USA. I look forward to working with our conferences and congregations to help them live out their witness in their context in new and creative ways.
“At heart, my work is equipping the next generation to understand and live out their call.”
Guyton joined the MC USA staff in 2009 as director of intercultural relations and for the next five years held roles in finance and convention planning. In 2014 he became COO and director of convention planning.
“We are impressed by Glen’s love for the church, his vision and passion for the future, his commitment to antiracism, his excellent skills in communication, his business acumen and the hope he holds for the future of the denomination,” said search committee chair Joy Sutter. “His gifts in administration and vision, and his broad respect throughout the church, will serve us well.”
A key responsibility for Guyton will be guiding MC USA’s Journey Forward process, which grew from the Future Church Summit at last year’s convention in Orlando, Fla.
Guyton’s first staff role with a Mennonite organization began in 1998 as an insurance counselor for Mennonite Mutual Aid, now Everence. He was a member of the MC USA Executive Board from 2007 to 2009 and served on the board of Eastern Mennonite University from 2003 to 2007.
He was a youth pastor at Calvary Community Church until 2009.
He has served on Virginia Mennonite Conference’s Alternatives to Military Service Committee and the Virginia Mennonite Conference antiracism team.
He holds a master’s degree in education and is a member of San Antonio Mennonite Church with his wife, Cyndi, and children Andre-A and Alex.
This story was updated Feb. 15, 2018.
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