En español. The Mennonite Education Agency board of directors and the MC USA Executive Board recently approved an integration plan to better address the needs of the denomination by bringing the ministry of MEA into the governance and operational structure of MC USA. The plan, initiated by MEA, will fully integrate MEA into the organizational life of MC USA, effective August 1.
“The integration plan brings the ministries of MEA and the educational priorities of the denomination into one structure,” said Michael Danner, MC USA associate executive director and MEA executive director. “By streamlining our governance and operations, we can better steward our resources and direct more funding toward educational programming.”
The current MEA board will transition to an educational resource team, supporting existing programs and new initiatives.
The transition also preserves and strengthens MEA’s long-standing commitments. Current MEA staff will join the MC USA staff, and a new position will provide focused leadership for educational programming, higher education connections and lifelong learning initiatives.
“This is about cultivating long-term sustainability and innovation,” said Glen Guyton, executive director of MC USA. “By bringing MEA’s work under the umbrella of our broader ministry, we’re not only honoring its legacy, but we’re also strengthening our ability to meet the evolving needs of our congregations and communities. We’re building a structure that’s equipped for the future.”
The integration follows a period of discernment, reflecting a shared commitment to equip and empower Anabaptist leaders through education, collaboration and strategic foresight. Financial and governance structures will be aligned to streamline operations, while honoring donor intent and sustaining designated support for key educational initiatives, including BIPOC scholarships and Hispanic Ministries, said Danner.
Delegates will vote on necessary bylaw changes related to the integration during the MC USA Delegate Assembly, July 11, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination, founded in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. Members of this historic peace church seek to follow Jesus by rejecting violence and resisting injustice. MC USA’s Renewed Commitments state the following shared commitments among its diverse body of believers: to follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit. Mennoniteusa.org
Written by MC USA and MEA staff