“It is in the congregational setting that pastoral call and identity are shaped. Students need to experience pastoral responsibilities before they take on the role of leading congregations.”—Peter Wiebe, Glendale, Ariz.

The vision for this endowment is to increase the effectiveness of incoming pastors in Mennonite Church USA congregations.

This endowment will help fund full-time congregational internships for persons enrolled in pastoral training programs, with supervision from and mentoring by experienced Mennonite pastors. The goal is for participants to solidify their pastoral call, clarify their pastoral identity, sharpen their pastoral skills and deepen their pastoral soul while serving in congregations with missional experience.

The internships will be strengthened through collaboration among local teaching congregations, the Pastoral Internship Endowment, Mennonite conferences, and schools of pastoral training.

Mennonite Foundation will hold the endowment funds, with six to eight persons serving as trustees. Mennonite Church USA’s Leadership Development office will administer the funds.

Over the course of 46 years, Peter Wiebe mentored 20 pastoral interns in four different congregations, helping these pastors develop their identities and preparing them to work in congregations and their communities around the country. Naming this endowment after Peter and Rheta Mae, his wife, recognizes their complementary roles in the pastorate and commemorates both their passion for pastoral leadership and their enduring love for the Mennonite Church.

Questions? Contact Terry Shue: 1-866-866-2872 ext. 23095, TerryS@MennoniteUSA.org

Amount to Donate: $

Comment: