Honored elders: Thulani Conrad Moore, Seferina DeLeon, Maati Yvonne, Suzette Shreffler. Not present: Lupe DeLeon, Harley Eagle and James Logan. Photo by Juan Moya.
MC USA honored seven community elders during a gala at its 12th Hope for the Future Conference, Feb. 28-Mar. 2 2025, in Goshen, Indiana. The elders were highlighted during a slide tribute and presented with an oil lamp to thank them for lighting the way forward. Each honoree shared a few words of encouragement for the attendees, either in person, via a videotaped message or through a message read by an attending family member.
The honored elders are:
Lupe DeLeon
Lupe DeLeon, Jr. dedicated his career to advocating for equal opportunities in financial and professional training for Spanish churches in the United States. He served on the board for minority economic development with both Mennonite Central Committee U.S. and Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), helping to address economic disparities. DeLeon was also an active member of the United Farm Workers of America, fighting for equality in farm labor rights. His work with CABAC involved analyzing Spanish literature in collaboration with the U.S. Spanish Council and Central and South American Mennonite congregations. He represented the United States at the Mennonite World Conference in furthering global connections and dialogue. Additionally, DeLeon contributed to the Mennonite Board of Missions, focusing on educating minorities in pastoral theological training. His lifetime of work left a lasting impact on both the church and broader communities.
Seferina Garcia DeLeon has dedicated over 30 years to ministry, beginning with her service at Iglesia Mennonita del Buen Pastor in Goshen, Indiana. There, she volunteered in various capacities, including pastoral care, counseling couples and young people, visiting the sick, and advocating for those in need. She coordinated the Women’s Ministry for the Hispanic community and later provided leadership at both the local and national levels, working under the mentorship of Mary Bustos. Additionally, DeLeon served on various executive committees within the Indiana Michigan Mennonite Conference and was the assistant conference minister, offering prayer and support to pastors in the Goshen area. After graduating from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana, DeLeon was ordained into ministry at the age of 60, becoming the first Hispanic woman ordained in Indiana Michigan Mennonite Conference. She served as co-pastor for three different congregations, focusing on pastoral care, while also pursuing her master’s degree in Christian Spirituality and working part time as a chaplain. Additionally, she worked full time as a records secretary at Goshen (Indiana) College and was involved in music ministry, performing as a soloist with the Lawndale Choir from Chicago, Illinois, and representing the Hispanic church at the National World Conference in the early 1970s. For the past 12 years, Seferina has been serving at Noblesville White River Christian Church in Indiana, collaborating with the Hispanic pastor in ministry.
Harley Eagle
Harley Eagle, of Dakota and Ojibway Indigenous ancestry, is a member of the Whitecap Dakota First Nations Reserve in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since 2014, he has worked with Island Health in British Columbia as a cultural safety facilitator, pioneering the first role of its kind in Canada. He specializes in restorative justice, anti-racism, trauma-informed practice and cultural safety. Prior to Island Health, Eagle held leadership positions with Mennonite Central Committee in Winnipeg and the Oglala Lakota Nation, focusing on Indigenous issues. He holds an M.A. in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University in Canada and has facilitated workshops on Indigenous life and dismantling racism for over 20 years.
James Logan
James Logan, Ph.D., is the associate academic dean for faculty, professor of Religion, and director of African and African American Studies at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana. He is the National Endowment for the Humanities chair in Interdisciplinary Studies. His research focuses on religious and social ethics, Black religion, and the intersection of religion, ethics and politics. Logan is the co-author of “Ethics That Matter” (2012) and author of “Good Punishment? Christian Moral Practice and U.S. Imprisonment” (2008). He earned a B.A. from Goshen College, an M.A. from AMBS, and a Ph.D. from Princeton (New Jersey) Theological Seminary.
Thulani Conrad Moore has been actively engaged with Roots of Justice since 1997 and currently serves as a trainer representative. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to the roles of antiracism educator, organizer and co-coordinator for the Mennonite Central Committee US Anti-Racism Program/Damascus Road. Moore has also made significant contributions to peace and justice education, particularly in the realm of crime and justice issues. He resides in Tucker, Georgia, with his wife and daughter. Presently, Moore shares his wealth of knowledge and experience at Atlanta’s APEX Museum, a museum of history presented from the Black experience.
Maati Yvonne, a lifelong member of Nueva Vida Norristown (Pennsylvania) New Life, serves as the minister of Youth and Community Outreach and is part of the Enlarging Our Place in God’s World leadership team. She is also on the Executive Committee of Mosaic Mennonite Conference. Committed to anti-racism, she facilitates with the Roots of Justice anti-racism organization and co-created Restorative Norristown, a program that trains youth and residents in Restorative Circles. She holds an M.S. in Restorative Practices and Youth and Family Counseling from the International Institute of Restorative Practice, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and is passionate about addressing systemic racism in her community.
Suzette Shreffler or Ámé’há’e (which mean Flying Woman) is a child of God, who created her as a Northern Cheyenne woman. She co-pastors along with her husband, Scott, at the White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church in Busby, Montana located on the Northern Cheyenne Indian reservation. Shreffler is the first Norther Cheyenne woman to be ordained by Central Plains Mennonite Conference and is only the second within MC USA. She is passionate about walking with others in their healing journey of their past traumas, hurts and grief as she shares the hope of Jesus Christ.
Tobin Miller Shearer and Regina Shands Stoltzfus, founders of the Damascus Road Anti-racism Process. Photo by Juan Moya.
MC USA Executive Director Glen Guyton paid special tribute to Tobin Miller Shearer and Regina Shands Stoltzfus, co-founders of the Damascus Anti-racism Process, presenting them with a poster commemorating the 30th anniversary of Damascus Road and signed by all of the anti-racism trainers present.
Several “co-conspirators” were also recognized for their work over the years to support the vision of Damascus Road.
These were:
- Brenda Zook Friesen, Roots of Justice trainer
- Cheryl Miller Shearer, co-founder of Widerstand Consulting
- Jim Stutzman Amstutz, peace educator, author and retired pastor
- Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MC USA denominational minister for Peace & Justice
- Phil Morice Brubaker, Roots of Justice trainer
- Rick Derksen, Roots of Justice trainer
Suzette Schreffler leads a prayer over the young people. Photo by Juan Moya.
Elders then called forward the students who are attending Mennonite colleges and seminaries, along with other young adults. They surrounded the young people, praying over them and offering blessings as they carry this memory and vision forward.
A time of joyful conversation and celebration followed, with attendees enjoying music and dance representing the multiculturalism of the event.
Read more about the conference here. See the Hope for the Future photo album here.
Written by Ana Alicia Hinojosa, with input from Camille Dager. Special thanks to Juan Moya, Anabaptist World, for event photography.