The worship services will be centered around the theme of #BeTransformed (Isaiah 43:19-21, II Corinthians 5:17).
Worship Speakers:
- Nelson Okanya – Jul. 3 PM – Be Transformed
- Brian Moll – Jul. 4 AM – Fear and Failure in Transformation
- Iris De Leon Hartshon – Jul. 4 PM – Healing Transformation
- Dianne Garcia – Jul. 5 AM – Mutual Transformation
- Panel – Kaleidoscope of Generations – Jul. 6 AM – Generational Transformation
- Jon Carlson – Jul. 6 PM – Communities of Transformation
Learn more.
Worship Planning Committee:
Becky Degan, worship coordinator
Becky Degan serves as the associate pastor of worship and Christian education at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Before beginning her current position at Forest Hills, in 2006, she worked for 10 years as a music therapist for children with special needs. Degan holds a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania)College and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Christian leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, with her husband and teenage son. She keeps busy dancing, skiing, traveling, accompanying a community choir and directing middle and high school plays.
Ana Alicia Hinojosa, worship leader
Ana Alicia Hinojosa serves as the director of constituent engagement at Mennonite Mission Network. She previously served as the immigration education coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Central States. Ana has been a part of the Mennonite denomination all her life, beginning with Iglesia Mennonite del Cordero in Brownsville, Texas, and she currently attends New Life Christian Center in San Benito, Texas, where she helps lead and teach alongside her father. Eduardo “Lalo” Hinojosa. She has served in areas of Christian education, children’s church, youth and middle school ministry, worship and preaching and teaching. Ana’s passion is to build young leaders to continue serving in the church and communities, and she enjoys creating baking art for people’s life celebrations. She graduated from the University of Texas at Brownsville, with a Bachelor of Arts, and from the University of Phoenix, with a Master of Education in organizational leadership. She lives in San Benito.
Jeff Hochstetler, worship leader
Jeff Hochstetler serves as the lead pastor of Berlin (Ohio) Mennonite Church. He graduated from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, in Elkhart, Indiana, with a Master of Divinity and Goshen (Indiana) College with a Bachelor of Arts in business and history. Jeff learned to love road cycling on the flat terrain of Northern Indiana. In addition to bicycling, he enjoys storytelling and baking. He is the president of the Holmes County (Ohio) Ministerial Association and serves on the board of directors at Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. He lives in Berlin with his spouse, their three children, and their dog, Chaco.
Onan Alvarez, band leader
Onan Alvarez is a musician, pastor, father, and video and sound wizard, based in Houston, Texas. Onan’s touring credentials and musical experience are extensive. He hopes that his faith and deep desire to serve God will uplift those around him.
Tim Blaum, technology director
Tim Blaum lives in Goshen, Indiana, with his wife, Michelle, and daughter. He works for Everence Financial as the IT user support manager and graduated from Goshen College in 2010 with a degree in communications. Tim attends Restōr Church in Goshen, Indiana. This is his 11th consecutive convention. He says he is carried through convention week by adrenaline, cold brew coffee and the long-term friendships he has built with the convention planning staff, worship team members and the all-star technical crew he’s worked with along the way. He enjoys attending concerts, camping, traveling with his family and trying new restaurants.
Derek King, worship planner
Derek King lives in Moundridge, Kansas, where he is the pastor of Eden Mennonite Church. Previously, he lived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Harrisonburg, Virginia. He likes to play most sports and board games. He enjoys gardening and supporting his daughters’ love of animal care. He is an extrovert and a verbal processor. Derek received a Bachelor of Arts in justice, peace and conflict studies from Eastern Mennonite University and a Master of Divinity from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.
Danilo Sanchez, worship planner
Danilo Sanchez lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Mary; two daughters; and dog. He is a co-pastor at Ripple Church and serves as the community chaplain for Ripple Community Inc, a non-profit. In addition to his work in Allentown, he is on staff with Mosaic Mennonite Conference and serves in the areas of youth formation and intercultural work. He graduated from Eastern University in 2010 and received his Master of Divinity from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2013. He enjoys leading worship, outdoor adventures and spending time with his family.