Top row: Luisa Malaver, Ebenezer Mondez; Bottom row: Andrea Orrego, Jonny Rashid (photo by Hana Lehmann), Osée Tshiwape.
ELKHART, Ind. (May 26, 2026) — Five students from across Mennonite Church USA are pursuing callings rooted in compassion, justice and peace as recipients of MC USA’s 2026-27 Scholarship for BIPOC Students.
This year’s scholars include a future social worker advocating for equitable healthcare access, a youth mentor from the Philippines seeking to strengthen the global church, a Colombian social worker committed to healing in post-conflict communities, a Philadelphia pastor deepening his peacemaking work, and a food service worker answering a call to chaplaincy. Through their studies and service, each recipient reflects the church’s ongoing commitment to nurturing leaders who bring hope and transformation to their communities and the world.
The Scholarship for BIPOC Students supports students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color, who are members or active participants of an MC USA congregation, and who are attending or plan to attend an MC USA-affiliated Mennonite college, university or seminary. This year’s scholarships were awarded through three MC USA-affiliated partner schools attended by the recipients, with funding provided by MC USA.
“God calls people to serve the church and the world,” said Amy Yoder McGloughlin, MC USA denominational minister for Education. “I’m glad we can offer wisdom, support and encouragement to them through our Mennonite churches, schools and particularly through this scholarship.”
Luisa Malaver
Luisa Malaver is working to complete a four-year degree in Social Work at Goshen College in Indiana. “I am passionate about supporting individuals and communities, especially those who face barriers to healthcare and mental health services,” wrote Malaver in her application. Her short-term goal is to continue her education by earning a master’s degree in social work or public health. Her long-term vocational objective is to work in a healthcare or community setting where she can advocate for equity, provide direct support, and contribute to programs that improve overall well-being. “I want my career to be centered on compassion, service and creating meaningful change in people’s lives,” she added. She attends Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen.
Ebenezer Mondez
Ebenezer Mondez is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Christian Formation at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart. Over the past decade, he has held several roles with Mennonite World Conference, most recently as a youth mentor. His vocational objective is to continue serving the global church, focusing on young people. “I hope to influence them to serve the church and live as witnesses to the works of Christ,” Mondez wrote. “I would like to be a resource to the Mennonite Church in the Philippines as I bridge the Mennonite churches and organizations to my culture and country.” He currently attends Hively Avenue Mennonite Church in Elkhart.
Andrea Orrego
Andrea Orrego is a graduate student at AMBS, pursuing a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies degree. Her vocational objective is to become a practitioner and scholar at the intersection of faith, justice and healing in post-conflict societies. “Specifically, I aim to deepen the theological and practical framework for how religious communities, particularly Anabaptist churches, can effectively support victims of war atrocities, with a focus on the crime of forced disappearance,” wrote Orrego, explaining that she is a Colombian social worker who develops tools and strategies to help faith communities provide spiritual sustenance, advocate for human rights and foster resilience among searching families. Orrego currently attends Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart.
Jonny Rashid
Jonny Rashid is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Peacemaking and Social Change degree at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia. He describes himself as a “scholar-activist-pastor” and is currently serving as the full-time pastor at West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship in Pennsylvania. “I want to deepen my understanding of peacemaking and social change in this era of Christian fascism and nationalism,” Rashid wrote. “[EMU’s doctorate degree] is a way to deepen my faith, root my activism in Christ and grow my pastoral calling.”
Osée Tshiwape
Osée Tshiwape is a graduate student at AMBS pursuing a Master of Divinity degree in Connect/Chaplaincy. He has worked in food service at Greencroft Goshen, a retirement community, for more than 10 years. It was here, while volunteering to assist the chaplains and leading a Bible study for residents that he experienced a call to chaplaincy. “I believe that the best way to worship God is to serve God’s people,” wrote Tshiwape. “Serving God’s people is to walk with them through difficult times, and that is exactly what chaplains, wherever they are, do.” He attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Elkhart.
How to apply for MC USA’s BIPOC Scholarship
Applications for MC USA’s 2027-28 BIPOC Scholarships will be accepted from January-March 2027. Learn more here.
How to support the scholarship program
Tax-deductible contributions to the scholarship can be made online or by check. Please make checks payable to Mennonite Church USA, memo: BIPOC Scholarship, and mail to 718 N Main St, Newton, KS 67114-1706.
Written by Camille Dager