Every organization has a purpose, an answer to the deceptively simple question, “Why?” At Mennonite Mission Network, the answer to that question is: to lead, mobilize and equip the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ — across the street, all through the marketplaces and around the world.
In this Q&A series, Mission Network asks staff members to think about the role they play in the agency and how they see their daily work joining into what God is doing around the world.
Wil LaVeist reflects on his role as Senior Executive of Advancement.
What brought you to your role with Mission Network?
After more than 20 years in secular journalism as a reporter, Internet startup executive, editor, publisher, and columnist, I was making plans to return to university to pursue a doctorate degree in communications. I was hosting a radio talk show in Hampton, Virginia, while attending Calvary Community Church (C3) Hampton. My pastor at the time, Bishop L.W. Francisco, told me that Mission Network had an opening in its marketing and communications department and that it would be a great place to work. Best of all, I could do the job remotely, meaning I wouldn’t have to relocate, nor uproot my family. I applied and got the position, but, honestly, I wasn’t expecting to work at Mission Network beyond three years.
Turns out, God had other plans. During previous years in journalism, I moved often —every five years or so — as media companies recruited me and I moved up the career and income ladders. I’ve been at Mission Network more than 10 years now — the longest continuous employer I’ve been in my professional career. When I started at Mission Network, working remotely was not popular nationwide. COVID-19 has changed that. My current senior executive role came about when Stanley Green, the agency’s first executive director, asked me to apply because of my past executive leadership experience, communications and community engagement skillset, and ministry involvement. My most pleasant career surprises have come because of NOT seeking out the next opportunity but focusing on making the most of whatever my current assignment is. Mission Network has been a most pleasant surprise that I was not seeking.
What is your favorite part of your role with Mission Network?
My favorite part of my role is strategic planning for the Advancement Division and meeting with our wonderful donors and ministry partners. I enjoy working on the big-picture vision of things that God has put on my heart. However, I also enjoy the process of getting there — the anticipated twists and unexpected turns that often come with the journey. Achieving big things with other people as we all grow individually is extremely rewarding.
The former athlete in me enjoys seeing others reach their goals as we all win as God’s team. Also, hearing from donors and sharing inspiring stories is enjoyable. It taps into my journalistic instincts. Fundraising and storytelling go hand-in-glove, as both require the other to energize constituents to willingly give of their time, talent, and treasure for the work of the Kingdom.
How has your perspective on your role with Mission Network changed over your time with the agency?
Traveling with Ventures Division (consists of Constituent Engagement, Global Partnerships, and Training and Resources departments that create and coordinate opportunities for the church to be fully engaged in mission) staff to visit our partners has heightened my appreciation for the work we do. It’s a privilege to be a part of God’s mission stateside and abroad. I’ve been to Mongolia and South Africa with two of our international workers. The time spent traveling gave us an opportunity to learn more about each other as we shared the experience. I got to see them in action engaging with ministry partners. I heard firsthand from the partners how they appreciated Mission Network’s staff and the agency overall.
Whether traveling across the U.S. or abroad, seeing up-close the ministries we are positively supporting brings deeper meaning and purpose to the daily work. The blessings of knowledge and understanding that we often receive from being in a relationship with our partners are priceless.
How do you view your role with Mission Network fitting into God’s mission for the church?
It’s a privilege to do something you enjoy and know it aligns with God’s will for your life and the lives of others. At Mission Network, we have a unique opportunity to work closely with people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and cultures. I purposely live in a racially diverse neighborhood in Philadelphia. But, Philadelphia, like many cities and towns in the United States, is very segregated. Most people in the U.S. do not live among others who are of a different race or culture. We tend to live around people who are “like us.”
Mission Network provides a unique opportunity to engage with people outside of our individual cultural contexts and to grow in godly wisdom and understanding as a result. We should not take for granted the blessing of being in a workplace that is diverse, like the Kingdom of Heaven.
What is something that has surprised you about your role with Mission Network?
I have consistently enjoyed the comradery with other members of the Executive Leadership Team despite changes in its composition in recent years. I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed working with all the executive leadership teams I’ve served on. All the individual leaders were very much “characters” in their own ways. There are tons of funny stories from the times we have traveled together, such as for meetings. There were, of course, disagreements, but never resentfulness.
As we all got to know each other, I think we could all see that, though different, we each shared a common love for Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. We all wanted to do our part to advance the gospel mission and leave Mission Network better off than when we met it. That type of shared commitment is what builds trust, which fuels success. It’s a blessing to be able to say, “I like the people I work with.”
