Join us each evening at Follow Jesus ’25 for powerful worship services featuring inspiring speakers, uplifting music, and Spirit-filled moments that will draw us closer to God and to one another.
July 8 – Follow Jesus: Expectations for followers of Jesus
Rachel Ringenberg Miller is the denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership for MC USA. She focuses on engaging conferences and congregations, providing resources and services to meet the diverse demands facing congregations today. Ringenberg Miller graduated from Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, and Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia, with an MDiv. She served as associate pastor for Portland Mennonite Church, Portland, Oregon, and as pastor of Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton, Kansas. She is a member of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.
Rachel will bring a powerful message rooted in Luke 4:14-21, where Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims God’s vision for the world. What does it truly mean to follow Jesus today? How do we respond—not just in belief, but in action—to bring hope and justice to our communities?
July 9 – Preach: What does it mean to preach good news?
Lerone A. Martin – historian, religious scholar and cultural commentator – will be the worship speaker for Day 2 of the Follow Jesus ’25 national convention. He is the faculty director for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University and a leading voice on the intersection of religion, politics and race. He has been featured on The Today Show, PBS and The New York Times and was a keynote speaker at MC USA’s Hope for the Future conference! Read more here.
July 10 – Recover and Release: What does healing look like?
Katherine Dickson is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and for accessibility and disability rights. Living with a family member with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities opened her eyes to the experience of disability in a sometimes-inaccessible world from an early age. She has served as a disability advocate, family caregiver, camp counselor, care assistant, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator in both professional and volunteer capacities and leans on her own disability wisdom as well. She has an MDiv from Methodist Theological School, Ohio, where she serves on staff in a variety of capacities, including ADA coordinator, and on the national core council for the Institute on Theology and Disability the last five years, and with Anabaptist Disabilities Network as a volunteer field associate for the last 15 years.
Jon-Erik (J.E.) Misz is a former youth pastor and current mental health therapist. Most of his career as a therapist has been serving in community mental health. His current role is the team leader for the Adult Outpatient Services and Amish Services Teams at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Goshen, Indiana. J.E. earned a Master of Divinity from Duke University, a Master of Social Work from University of North Carolina. J.E. serves as a board member for the Anabaptist Disabilities Network. He attends Waterford Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana.
Sarah Werner is the communications coordinator for MC USA’s Central District Conference and the leader of Olentangy Wild Church in Columbus, Ohio. She is the author of Rooted Faith: Practices for Living Well on a Fragile Planet (Herald Press, 2023). She teaches biblical studies and environmental justice courses at PATHWAYS, an online theological education program affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Sarah experiences life in the body of someone with rheumatoid arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, an inherited connective tissue disorder that affects her mobility. She is a passionate advocate for dismantling ableism and for outdoor access for people of all abilities. She attends Columbus (Ohio) Mennonite Church.
The panel will be moderated by Melissa Florer-Bixler, pastor of Raleigh (North Carolina) Mennonite Church, and Caleb McClendon, assistant pastor at C3 Hampton (Virginia).
July 11 – Liberate: How do we join the ministry of liberation?
Frank (he/him) is a Guatemalan living on occupied Tongva/Chumash territory. He studied philosophy at Wheaton College and theology at Fuller Seminary. Frank’s full-time job and passion is organizing with grassroots social movements across borders. He and his family are members of Pasadena Mennonite Church, and he has been a speaker at MC USA’s Hope for the Future conference. Frank will be sharing a thought-provoking message rooted tin Luke 4:16-19 and Mark 8-34.
July 12 – Proclaim: Let’s celebrate God’s love for us and the world!
Lesley Francisco McClendon serves as the senior pastor of C3 Hampton in Hampton, Virginia, where she teaches with vigor and passion, delivering life-altering messages with a simple yet profound approach. She has a heart for bridging generational gaps and speaking to diverse audiences, ensuring that faith remains both rooted and relevant. Lesley holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oral Roberts University, a Master of Divinity from Regent University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University. She serves as an instructor at Duke Divinity School and an adjunct professor of preaching at multiple seminaries, equipping the next generation of faith leaders in effective communication and ministry. Lesley is also the founder of Herstoric, Inc., a leadership network dedicated to empowering individuals to discover their voice, lead with confidence, and leave a lasting impact.