Mennonite Mission Network closed out 2019 with one of its highest fundraising months ever in December, demonstrating how Mennonites continue to practice what they pray – "on earth as in heaven."
By giving $1.2 million last month, donors are continuing to support the ability of the agency to join God’s work in the world through voluntary service, overseas mission, and planting peace churches. This generosity helps members and congregations to engage in ministries throughout the world.
The contribution total for December 2019 was $162,000 above the projected goal for that month. The trend of exceeding the monthly budget has been ongoing since September 2019.
Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, continues to listen and adjust to meet the changing needs of conferences and congregations. The generous and continued support encourages the agency as it adapts to change, including changes within its own staff.
For example, in the past two years, the agency has made several leadership changes in its Advancement division, which is responsible for donor relations and communicating with constituents. Karen
Horsman became director of Donor Relations in 2018 and Danielle
Klotz became director of Marketing and Communication in 2019. Also in 2019,
Sandy
Miller was promoted from director of Church Relations to senior executive
for Resourcing and Mobilization, a new division. She leads the agency’s renewed
emphasis on domestic ministries, leadership development, church
planting and the Peace and Justice Support
Network.
Wil LaVeist
has been senior executive for the Advancement division the past two years. LaVeist said the fundraising success has been a total agency effort under the leadership of Executive
Director Stanley W. Green, who will retire in July.
"Our donor contacts and our external communication work hand-in-hand toward inspiring support for the work of the agency," LaVeist said. "We have a great team. Staff changes are natural, but, clearly, God keeps sending excellent leaders at the right time."
The positive financial support also indicates sound planning by Mission Network’s executive team and board of directors. The strong financial support was also fueled by the generosity of some ongoing key donors and donors who remembered Mission Network in their wills and estates, said David Weaver, senior executive for Finance.
Most importantly, Green observed, Mennonite Mission Network has been blessed with wonderful supporters and friends who are loyal and generous in their sharing. Without these friends, Mission Network would be severely limited in its capacity to support the amazing work our partners and workers are doing in so many places around the world to plant churches, develop missional leaders, strengthen initiatives for peace and justice, and resource communities on their journey toward healing and hope.
