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Historical Committee

A Historical Timeline of Minority and Urban Ministry in the United States, 1910-1997

Minority Ministries Council and Urban Leaders Network
Gathered from historical documents and the folks who were there.

Events listed here were contributed by many individuals, and not all the entries are complete. Corrections, completions and updates can be sent to: Director, Mennonite Church USA Archives--Goshen, 1700 South Main Street, Goshen, IN 46526 574-535-7477, E-Mail: Archives@MennoniteUSA.org

1910	Tuleta, Tex.	Simon Del Basque baptized into the Tuleta Mennonite Church at Tuleta, Tex
1936	Denbigh, Va.	Bible Schools begin and run from 1936 until 1952.
1937	Texas	T.K. Hershey and William G. Getweiler toured the Mexican/U.S. border. They recommended work in South Texas to the Mennonite Board of Missions
1940		James Lark establishes the first camps for city youth in the years 1940-1950
1943	Goshen, Ind.	Juanita Lark was first African American graduate of Goshen (Indiana) College, 1943, after two years at Hesston (Kansas) College.
	Warwick District, Va.	Vasco Boyd was part of summer Bible school missions to Blacks in Warwick District in Virginia, 1943-1950.
1944	Chicago, Ill.	James Lark became the first African American pastor. Appointed to serve in Chicago.
	South Texas	Amsa & Nona Kauffman sent to South Texas.
1946	Mathis, Tex.	Amsa and Nona Kauffman settled the work in Mathis, Texas.
1949	Hopkins Park	James Lark comes to Hopkins Park.
	Saginaw, Mich.	VS unit enters Saginaw, Mich. LeRoy Bechler, leader, which led to the planting of the Ninth Street Mennonite Church. LeRoy and Irene Bechler, pastoral couple.
	Cleveland, Ohio	Vern and Helen Miller to Gladstone Mission in Cleveland, MBM.
1950		Wayfarer's came into being as result of Black Church Workers' concern for youth during the 1950s.
		Appointment of the Negro Evangelism Committee: Nelson Burkholder, LeRoy Bechler, representative from Eastern Board.
		An annual gathering of pastors and church planters working in black urban areas is held throughout the 1950s.
		Rev. Harding began a VS unit in the South during the 1950s.
		The slogan is promoted, and widely embraced, that "Every church should have an out-post," throughout the 1950s.
	St. Louis, Mo.	Hubert & June Schwartzentruber to St. Louis in the 1950s.
	St. Louis, Mo.	In the 1950s, Rev. Art Cash introduced the Ruth and Vernell Fuller family of St. Louis, Mo., to Hubert Schwartzentruber and his family. Ruth, "We developed a wonderful relationship that exists until this day."
1951	Saginaw, Mich.	Summer Bible schools held on the east side of Saginaw, Mich., as an extension of 9th St. Church, during the summers of 1951-1954
	Mathis, Tex.	VS unit open in Mathis, Tex.-- community service! Elvin & Mary Snyder recommended the VS work.
1952	Newport News, Va	Calvary (Newport News, Virginia); Nelson D. Burkholder first pastor.
1953	Mathis, Tex.	Paul Conrad introduced to Spanish language and Mexican American in Mathis, Tex. VS alternative to military service.
	Mathis, Tex.	Ann Conrad began voluntary service in Mathis, Tex. Taught English to kindergarten age children.
1954	Chicago, Ill.	June-July, 1954, Jim Snyder joins the VS unit at Camp Rehoboth (Ill.) for 4-6 weeks. He teaches Bible School and handicrafts under the leadership of Bob Stoltzfus and James Lark.
	Camp Glenn, Mich.	August 1954, Camp Glenn on Lake Michigan, Inner-City youth group from six cities: Chicago (Rehoboth), Cleveland, Youngstown, Saginaw, Fort Wayne.
	Saginaw, Mich.	In November 1954, Lois & Melvin Leidig were called by MBM to plant a church in Saginaw, Mich., on the East side, later moved to James St., Grace Chapel.
1955	Saginaw, Mich	February 13, 1955, the first worship service was held at Eastside Mennonite Church (later Grace Chapel). Melvin Leidig was licensed to the ministry at Saginaw, Michigan.
		James Lark is the first black bishop in the Mennonite Church, c. 1955
	Chicago, Ill.	Mark & Pauline to Rehoboth Menn. Ch. Rose Covington becomes member.
	Wichita, Kan.	Jeanie Hershey taught Sunday school at what later became 10th Street Mennonite Church. "This was while a student at Hesston College. Paving way for rest of life involvement in cross-cultural work."
1957	Saginaw, Mich.	We (Arthur and Nancy Cash) met the Bechlers in Atlanta and at the end of the school year we joined them in a VS at Saginaw, Mich.
	Mathis, Tex.	Paul Conrad licensed to pastoral ministry with La Iglesia Menonita de Calvario, Mathis, Tex.
1958		November 22, 1958, Tito Guedea and Rachel Bixler attempt to integrate the Mennonite Church through marriage.
	Denver, Colo.	Lyn and Jeanie Hershey worked with Jess Kauffman at Rock Mountain Mennonite Camp with inner-city kids from Denver, 1958-1959.
1959	Fort Wayne, Ind.	We (Arthur and Nancy Cash) joined Marty and Loraine Brandenburger in Fort Wayne, Ind., to set up an integrated team.
	Goshen, Ind.	Vonceal (Cash) Johnese attended Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, Indiana. (Arthur and Nancy's daughter)
	Hesston, Kan.	Fall 1959, Hesston College begins classes for training Hispanics in leadership. Jose Ortiz, Luis Vargas and Tito Guedea are among first students.
	Hesston, Kan.	Mario Snyder arranges scholarship money for Tito Guedea to attend Hesston College for Hispanic leadership training.
1961	Wichita, Kan.	Lyn and Jeanie Hershey moved to Wichita so Lyn could pastor 10th St. Mennonite Church and their family lived in the black community.
	Wichita, Kan.	1961-63, Lyn Hershey worked with the voter registration movement in Mississippi while he is pastor at Wichita, Kansas.
	Saginaw, Mich.	October, 1961, Grace Chapel was dedicated to the glory of God and the service of the people of Saginaw, Mich.
	Defiance, Ohio	In the fall of 1961, Tito Guedea is called to pastor at Defiance, Ohio.
1962	Defiance, Ohio	In July 1962, Tito Guedea agreed to leave the ministry in Defiance, Ohio, due to lack of financial support from the Mennonite churches of the area.
1963	Hesston, Kan.	Janet Taylor graduated from Hesston College
	Aibonito, P.R.	Maria Snyder, Voluntary Service at Menn Hosp in Aibonito. As a nurse working in the clinics with non-Spanish speaking physicians-never invited to nurses or hospital meeting.
1964	Los Angeles, Calif.	We (Arthur and Nancy Cash) joined the Bechlers in Los Angeles, Calif., again to set up an integrated team in the city of Los Angeles. Nancy organized retreat for Ariz.-Ca. Women.
1965	Goshen, Ind.	Janet Taylor graduated from Goshen College
	Omaha, Neb.	Morris Stauffer moved to Omaha, Nebraska, Nov. 25,1965, and is ordained to begin the work of the Northside chapel. He served 18 years.
1966	Detroit, Mich.	September 1966, Jim & Julie Norton moved to Detroit. The following summer they moved to Chene Street, in the inner city area.
1967	Detroit, Mich.	Summer 1967, two weeks after moving to the inner city, Jim and Julie Norton, along with John and Shirley Powell, experience the 1967 riots.
	Detroit, Mich.	VS unit begins in Detroit, on Chene St., in the fall.
	Youngstown, Ohio	Rockview Mennonite Church (Youngstown, Ohio) first black pastor, Rev. Charles McDowell from the late 1960s until the early 1970s.
1968	Omaha, Neb.	"In the spring of 1968, we received our first black members in baptism at Omaha Mennonite Church," Morris Stauffer.
	Kidron, Ohio	June 1968, MBM calls for establishing an Interracial Council to deal with evangelism and church development strategy.
	Chicago, III.	October 1968, representatives of urban interracial churches form Urban Racial Council. Elect executive committee composed of Lee Roy Berry, Gerald Hughes, Hubert Schwartzentruber, John Powell and John Ventura.
	1969	In June 1969, ___________became pastor (Hispanic MB Church) after a tragic accident in our family.
	Elkhart, Ind.	June 7, 1969, John Powell appointed Executive Secretary for Minority Ministries Council.
	Elkhart, Ind.	June 7, 1969, John Powell appointed Executive Secretary for Minority Ministries Council.
	Kalona, Iowa	July 1969, MBM takes action on priority for urban missions. Leamon Sowell appointed first person of color as a committee member of MBM.
	Turner, Ore.	August 1969, Compassion Fund established at Mennonite General Assembly.
	Elkhart, Ind.	October 1969, Urban Racial Council office established at Mennonite Board of Missions, precursor to Minority Ministries Council.
1970		In the early 1970s, funds were made available to dig well on reservation.
	Inglewood, Calif.	Calvary Mennonite Christian Day School begun. First Black elementary school.
	Chicago, Ill.	In the early 1970s, the Minority Ministries Council held a cross-cultural theological consultation in Chicago.
	Chicago, Ill.	Neftali Torres, Lawndale Menn. Church, Chicago, pastor. Gracie Torres, "The joy of being accepted to be a participant in the pastorate at the Lawndale Menn. Church, Chicago, Ill."
	Elkhart, Ind.	Urban Racial Council reorganized to include Hispanic representatives. Council renamed, "Minority Ministries Council."
	Elkhart, Ind.	Racism Education Program of Minority Ministries Council established. Lynford Hershey appointed Racism Education Coordinator.
	Elkhart, Ind.	October 16-17, 1970, first annual Minority Ministries Council Assembly. Black and Hispanic Caucuses formed.
	Hesston, Kan.	In 1970 Maria Snyder was called to teach in the nursing program at Hesston College, resigning in 1973 for personal reasons dealing with "Why they hired me!"

	Hesston, Kan.	During the 1970s, Sharon Fuller (St. Louis, Mo.) attended Hesston College.
	Puerto Rico	Neftali and Gracie Torres served in Puerto Rico as missionaries for MBM during the 1970s.
	Corpus Christi, Tex.	Paul Conrad installed as pastor with Prince of Peace Iglesia Menonita, Corpus Christi, Tex.
	San Antonio, Tex.	During the mid-1970s, Bible School on wheels: Institute Biblico Nezenuevo, San Antonio, Tex; Hesston College; Goshen College Hispanic Ministries.
	Harrisonburg, Va.	In the mid-1970s MBM created JELAM under the Media Ministries department.
1971		Gracie Torres, "Felt so much joy & thankfulness in being able to sing along with Seferina DeLeon Garcia and record together blending our Mexican-American & Puerto Rican cultures in a Praise form!"
		1971-72, Maria Snyder is the first Hispanic woman assigned to Hispanic Concilio, Recording Secretary. She steps down from national Peace & Social Concern Committee for personal reasons: "Men were the leaders, I was not taken seriously."
	Inglewood, Calif.	1971-1981 Nancy Cash served as administrator at Calvary Christian School in Inglewood, Calif.; "experienced many rich & lasting relationships"; a board member of ACSI
	Elkhart, Ind.	In November 1971, John Powell arranges for the wives of the Minority Ministries Council executive committee to go to the council assembly with their husbands.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Lupe DeLeon appointed Associate Executive Secretary of Minority Ministries Council to represent Hispanic interest.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Minority Ministries Council newspaper "Happenings" organized. Hubert Brown appointed editor.
	Scottdale, Pa.	1971-1973, Nancy Cash serves on the editorial council. The sensitive nerve of that material used in Sunday School which might be offensive to minorities.
	Harrisonburg, Va.	Black Radio Spots produced by MBM Media Ministries in cooperation with Minority Ministries Council.
1972		In 1972-73, Maria Snyder plans with Mary Busto and Lupe Busto for the First Mennonite Hispanic Women's conference. There is great difficulty finding sponsors, but it was done.
		The first Black Mennonite Women's Retreat was held.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Minority Ministries Council worked with Mennonite Publishing House to publish "Omnibus Bible School Curriculum," written specifically for urban children.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Lyn Hershey was told there was no more money for his program with Minority Ministries Council.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Recordings sponsored by Minority Ministries Council.
	Epworth Forest Camp,Waldman, Ind.	Epworth Forest Camp, Tina and Vasco Boyd gained a son, Perez.
	Epworth Forest Camp	Minority Ministries Council convenes the first Cross Cultural Youth Convention.
	Goshen, Ind.	Neftali Torres, Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries, Goshen, Ind., associate secretary.
	Akron, Pa.	Became one of the first MCC peace section Hispanic Board members
	Alice, Tex.	July 1972, Tito Guedea called to pastor the church at Alice, Texas.
	Akron, Pa.	December 1972, Tito Guedea appointed chairman of MCC executive committee.
1973	Cleveland, Ohio	January 1973, Minority Leadership Training Program initiated by Minority Ministries Council.
		Gerald Hughes appointed member of first General Board of the reorganized Mennonite Church.
		Were part of the AFRAM trip.
	Sandia, Tex.	October 1973, Minority Ministries Council restructured. Functions moved to Mennonite General Board, with Associate General Secretaries for Black and Hispanic concerns. "Minority Ministries Council chooses to be swallowed up by the Mennonite structure, Sandia, Texas"
	Sandia, Tex.	Latinas meeting Sandia, Tex.
	Hampton, Va.	Meeting in Hampton, Va.; break up of Black & Hispanic groups.
	Washington, D.C.	In July 1973, met for the first time in Washington, D.C., as an inter-Mennonite Hispanic Caucus to deal with the issues of minority injustices and immigration in this country.
1974		Respect for urban minority ministries; the family of Vernell & Ruth Fuller, the Robert Perry Fuller family.
	Rosemont, Ill.	Hispanic Office opened at Rosemont, Ill.
	Elkhart, Ind.	June 1974, John Powell resigns from MBM.
	Elkhart, Ind.	August 1974, Jose Ortiz appointed Associate Secretary for Hispanic Concerns.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Hubert Brown was appointed Executive Secretary of Student & Young Adult Services for Mennonite Board of Missions--the first Black in a non-black position.
	Livingston, Zambia	The Vernell and Ruth Fuller family served in the Teacher Abroad program in Livingston, Zambia at David Livingston Teacher Training College.
	Puerto Rico	Gracie Torres, "Begin to experience hurts in a subtle manner & confusion begins to creep in while still in the USA. A sense of non-acceptance extended as we now find ourselves serving, but now among our own Hispanic people in Puerto Rico-this being enforced by the total non-acceptance of our albums where our own Latin music is used with Godly lyrics-result? Greater confusion."
	Puerto Rico	Gracie Torres, 1974-76 "Begin to hide God's gift of music in my life."
1975		Convention of Hispanic Mennonite Churches formed from Minority Ministries Council Spanish Concilio.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Lupe DeLeon becomes Associate. Secretary for Home Missions at MBM.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Egla Birmingham became the first African American woman to serve as a staff person for Mennonite Board of Missions.
	Scottdale, Pa.	Rose Covington first African American appointed to Mennonite Publication Board, served ten years.
1976		January 1, 1976, Dwight McFadden appointed General Secretary for Black Concerns. Black Caucus from Minority Ministries Council continues to provide direction for office.
1977	Estes Park, Colo.	Estes Park, Mennonite Minority Education funds "in" for urban agenda.
	Puerto Rico	Gracie and Neftali Torres, "After experiencing being misunderstood, battered, isolated & left not knowing why-have no choice but to resign!"
	Puerto Rico	Mac and Mary Bustos visit Puerto Rico to rescue Nef and Gracie Torres.
1978	Elkhart, Ind.	Lupe de Leon becomes Secretary for Home Missions at MBM and Ed Taylor appointed Associate Secretary for MBM Home Missions Division.
	Goshen, Ind.	Hispanic Ministries Department at Goshen College opens. Dr. Rafael Falcon, director.
	Harrisonburg, Va.	1978-79, Nancy Cash teaches in the education department at Eastern Mennonite College and answers speaking opportunities in the conference and led retreats. Arthur co-pastored campus church.
	Buffalo, New York	Tim Schulz directs a coffeehouse church known as Jesus For You in the Allentown district of Buffalo from 1978-1983, which had the support of the Alden Mennonite Church, where Schulz was ordained in 1985.  It was a predecessor to the Westside Mennonite Church [begun in 1989]. This ministry was later moved to the lower west side of Buffalo (1984-1989) and that ministry was led by Robert Roggie and Schulz.  Westside Mennonite Church has disbanded, 2005-06, and a a small group meets for bible study but the building is in the process of being sold. Former pastor Neftali Torres returned to Puerto Rico and another key leader, John Powell, moved to Detroit.  Submitted by Tim Schultz 2006.
1979		James Lark--On the Go for God drama
	Canada	Canadian Hispanics join the Concilio.
1980		Hubert Brown is moderator of Southwest Conference during the 1980s.
		LeRoy Bechler wrote the first history of Blacks in the Mennonite Church from 1895-1950.
	Los Angeles, Calif.	Indonesian churches begin in Los Angeles during the 1980s.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Lupe de Leon resigns MBM Home Missions.
	Goshen, Ind.	1980-81, Elias Acosta starts Spanish language broadcasting on WGCS (Goshen College radio station).
	Saginaw, Mich.	Wilma Ann Bailey, first woman licensed for ministry in the Indiana-Michigan Conference (M.C.), Grace Chapel, Saginaw, Michigan.
	Youngstown, Ohio	In the mid-1980s, Berean Fellowship Church (Youngstown, Ohio) has its first black pastor, Rev. William Brown.
	Akron, Pa.	MCC U.S. Ministries "Office of Economic Development," Lupe DeLeon; "Office of Immigration" Karen Ventura.
	Corpus Christi, Tex.	Paul Conrad concluded I 0 years with Price of Peace Iglesia Menonita in Corpus Christi, thus concluding 27 years in South Texas.
1981	Goshen, Ind.	Wilma Ann Bailey is assistant professor of Urban and Black Ministry at Goshen College, 1981- 85.
1982		Adios General Board by Jose Ortiz.
		Bill Scott chairman of AAMA.
		African American Mennonite Association (AAMA) formed from Black Caucus of Minority Ministries Council.
		September 1982, Joy Lovett becomes Associate Secretary for Black Concerns and Samuel Hernandez becomes Associate Secretary for Hispanic Concerns.
	Goshen, Ind.	1982-83, Tito Guedea takes directorship of Spanish Broadcasting at WGCS.
	Puerto Rico	Gracie Torres, "Discover God offers his children deliverance & inner healing through forgiveness; God restores a deeper love for Mennonites of Puerto Rican and anglican background."
1983		AAMA becomes a part of the Mennonite Church by-laws.
1984	Hesston, Kan.	Hesston College, with Joy Lovett & Ed Taylor, begins the Minority Pastoral Ministries class.

	Hesston, Kan.	James Isaacs--Hesston College with Joy Lovett and Ed Taylor begin the Minority Pastoral Ministries class.
1985		William Irvin appointed to West Coast MCC Board; becomes secretary of board; also appointed to MCC US board.
	California	Allan Yoder appointed Southwest Mennonite Conference Area Minister for Southern California.
	Elkhart, Ind.	June 14, 1985, Tito Guedea is hired by MBM as printer, perhaps as a token, but a good job nonetheless.
1986	California	CAL begins: Council of Anabaptist Leaders formed in Southern California by inter-racial group of pastors.
1987		James Isaacs becomes the second black moderator of the Southwest Mennonite Conference.
	California	CAL sponsors conference on immigration issues.
1988		Elkhart, Ind. Associate Secretary positions at the General Board eliminated.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Brent Foster and Noel Santiago are appointed to MBM as church development consultants in 1988.
	Elkhart, Ind.	AAMA fires Joy Lovett.
	Elkhart, Ind.	AAMA becomes dysfunctional and is dissolved.
1989		A committee is appointed by General Board to re-establish AAMA; committee members are Lindsey Robinson, Rose Covington, Pat Barron, Richard Reese, Gerald Hughes.
		AAMA elects a new board--Stan Maclin, president; Lindsey Robinson; Rose Covington; Pat Barron; Leslie Francisco III; Bill Irving; Lee Lowery.
1990		Rose Covington appointed coordinator of women's ministry.
		Wilma Ann Bailey, board member for Mennonite Board of Education, Mennonite Central Committee, MCC U.S., through the 1990s.
	Chicago, Ill.	Larry Teaque licensed ministry, Mark & Louise Anthony; direct Rehoboth Day Camp, Bible Schools.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Ray Horst leads development of the United Native Ministries Council in the early 1990s.
	New Carlisle, Ohio	Paul and Ann Conrad began Spanish ministry with refugees and migrants in New Carlisle, Ohio.
1991		James Isaacs is elected Southwest Conference Moderator. SMC appoints Isaacs to MC General Board.
	California	Stanley Green appointed Southwest Mennonite Conference Area Minister for Southern California
	Elkhart, Ind.	Allan Yoder was hired to lead an urban emphasis at MBM.
	Buffalo, N.Y.	As a mixed Anglo and Native American (Seneca Tribe), Bob Tice was the first licensed and ordained Native American in the Mennonite Church in the New York State Conference.
	Buffalo, N.Y.	Bob Tice established the Pastoral and Church Ministries Program in Buffalo, N.Y., through Houghton College (along with Chuck Massey), with the resolve that it would be a multi-cultural program for training urban ministry, and would involve the Mennonite Church.
1992		Brenda Isaacs ordained in Southwest Conference; Mercedes GMC.
	California	Civil unrest in Southern California. CAL responds with pastoral letter and appoints Jeff Wright staff person.
	Chicago, Ill.	Mark and Pauline Lehman leave Rehoboth.
	Elkhart, Ind.	An urban ministry leaders network was begun by MBM under Allan Yoder's leadership.
1993		James Isaacs becomes Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference Area Minister for Southern California
	Buffalo, N. Y.	Bob Tice contacted John Powell in Ann Arbor, Mich., (through Brent Foster of MBM) to come to Buffalo to direct the Pastoral and Church Ministries program.
	Buffalo, N.Y.	Bob Tice becomes the urban ministry director for Buffalo metro as a part of the urban ministries network initiated by Allan Yoder direction at MBM.
	Wooster, Ohio	Raul Tades became pastor at Salem Mennonite Church, Wooster, Ohio.
	Akron, Pa.	The Racism Awareness Program begins under the auspices of MCC.
	Harrisonburg, Va.	Jose Ortiz joins Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Virginia
1994		Stan Maclin participated in AAMA evangelism tour to Africa as part of MBM mission education efforts.
		1994-97, Racism Awareness Program reference committee includes John Powell, Lyn Hershey, Maggie DeLeon, Noel Santiago.
	Buffalo, N.Y.	John Powell returns to employment at MBM as a consultant for Evangelism and Church Development.
1995		Ann Conrad began translating Jubilee Sunday School stories into Spanish.
	Calif.	Jeff Wright becomes Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference area minister for Southern California.
	California	LeRoy Bechler serves as interim Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference area minister for Southern California.
	Elkhart, Ind.	James and Brenda Isaacs are called as interim pastors of Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Indiana.
	Elkhart, Ind.	James Isaacs is called as co-pastor of Fellowship of Hope, Elkhart, Indiana.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Brent Foster resigns from MBM.
	Houston, Tex.	June 1995, Iris DeLeon-Hartshorn is ordained by the Western District (GC) and South Central Conference (MC) in Houston, Texas.
1996	Calif.	Non-anglo church membership exceeds anglo church membership in Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference.
	Calif.	Calvary Christian Fellowship Church and Eglesia Evangelica Bethel are the largest churches in Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, southern California region. Average attendance is 150+.
	Elkhart, Ind.	March 1996, first joint meeting of the associate group leaders: AAMA, Hispanic Concilio, WMSC., Organized by Brent Foster.
	Cleveland, Ohio	Regina Shands Stoltzfus licensed as pastor by Ohio Conference to serve at Lee Heights.
	Akron, Pa.	Nine Mennonite institutions are trained in Damascus Road; as of June 1997, 16 institutions have anti-racism teams.
	Akron, Pa.	June-August 1996, Racism Awareness Drama Troupe toured the West Coast. A racially mixed group of six young adults sponsored by MCC.
	Akron, Pa.	September 1996, Iris DeLeon-Hartshorn hired as Peace and Justice Ministries Director for MCC US.
	Puerto Rico	Gracie Torres, "No longer knowing how to relate to our Puerto Rican Mennonite churches, but never being 'set free' from the love for this group of believers...God sends John & Shirley Powell to visit and something happens."
1997		October 1997, Anti-racism strategy meeting planned for Damascus Road teams.
	California	CAL begins School for Urban Mission, in association with Hesston College, providing a pastoral ministries program in Southern California.
	California	Irene Mendoza becomes Administrator of CAL in 1997.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Allan Yoder dismissed from MBM.
	Orlando, Fla.	Gracie Torres, July 27-28,1997, "Oh the joy to be part of a fore-ordained reunion-among brethren like us who were hurting. Now sharing God's victory and for the first time since 1977, I sang to God's glory in public after having been prayed for by two Godly women!"
	Elkhart, Ind.	Brenda Isaacs called as interim pastor at Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Indiana.
	Elkhart, Ind.	Alvin Isaacs appointed to serve on Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary Board of Directors.
	New Carlisle, Ohio	Paul Conrad, August 1997, Jubilar (retirement); available to continue part-time with the developing ministry in the Spanish language, Huber congregation considering this open door.
	Scottdale, Pa.	Herald Press publishes "Enter the River: Healing Steps From White Privilege Toward Racial Reconciliation," by Tobin (Jody) Miller Shearer.
	Puerto Rico	Gracie Torres, "With fresh hope--a new and gracious beginning of a restoration to the possibilities of walking in through the 'front door' and walking among his beloved children. Once again the possibility of service in the Mennonite Church emerges."
		Timeline posted on web by John E. Sharp, Director of Historical Committee, 1995-2005..  Updates received from Tim Schulz, September 2006, on Buffalo, New York, projects, 1978-89.  Added to 1978 date / des