Staff
Gay Brunt Miller
Director of Administration
Gay Brunt Miller works closely with executive minister Ertell Whigham to provide administrative support for the priorities of the Conference Board and Executive Committee. She also coordinates the School for Leadership Formation, which provides various equipping events.
Gay and her husband Rich have no "human" children, but share their home with three baby red-eared sliders (turtles). Gay enjoys gardening, taking walks, riding her bike, cooking and baking. Before coming to work for the conference, Gay worked for an investment banker and soup kitchen in San Francisco, Calif.
Gay is excited about Franconia Conference's strategic priorities to become missional, formational, and intercultural. “It has been exciting to see many of our congregations move from more of an inward focus to an outward focus!” she said. “I look forward to our journey of truly becoming intercultural—of opening ourselves to God so that we can be stretched, and shaped, and influenced beyond our usual boundaries of race, ethnicity, geography, age, and gender. I know it will not be an easy journey, but I believe it is a worthwhile one!” She especially enjoys worshiping with Indonesian and Vietnamese congregations, noting that, while people have graciously provided translation, “God's Spirit transcends the need to understand every word. I find I am able to worship, whether I understand everything that is said and sung or not.”
Jenifer Eriksen Morales
Minister of Transitional Ministries
Jenifer Eriksen Morales journeys with congregations in transition and with intentional interim ministers, providing support and resourcing. She is also a LEADership Minister for eight congregations.
Jenifer and her husband Victor have a bi-cultural, Mexican/American, English/Spanish speaking family. They have 3 children: Nicolas, Jonathan, and Janae. The family loves soccer and trips to the mountains and beach. Before coming to work for the conference, Jenifer was the Language and Literacy Program Coordinator for ProJeCt of Easton, Inc. To relax, she enjoys spending time with friends over a good cup of coffee. She also reads and loves a little friendly competition through board and table games. Jenifer has many fond memories of growing up in a Franconia Conference congregation, including the recent gathering at her ordination in May 2011. “The participation, presence and support of members and leaders of many Franconia Conference congregations, as well as friends and family is a gift I will treasure throughout my ministry,” she said. She is excited to continue working with a group of congregations who value being intercultural, missional and formational and who are committed to continual growth in these areas.
Carla Ferrier
Administration
Carla Ferrier works with Conference Assembly planning and also does basic office work and data keeping.
Carla and her husband Dave have four adult daughters and two sons-in-law. She enjoys swimming, reading, sewing, playing games and being with her family.
The conference prayer ministry is a tremendous blessing to her. “It is exciting to see God working in and through that,” she said. She is thankful that God reveals Himself fresh and new everyday through the scriptures. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” has been a bench-mark passage in her life. “God will so kindly lead us and show us the way to live, if we will rely upon Him,” she said. Last fall, three congregations met at Salem for an evening of worship led by Bob Helverson and the Salem worship team, prayer, and teaching led by Noel Santiago. “It was very meaningful,” she said. “It was a great time of worship, joining together with sisters and brothers from other congregations. There was a real sense of unity as the Spirit led us.”
The conference prayer ministry is a tremendous blessing to her. “It is exciting to see God working in and through that,” she said. She is thankful that God reveals Himself fresh and new everyday through the scriptures. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” has been a bench-mark passage in her life. “God will so kindly lead us and show us the way to live, if we will rely upon Him,” she said. Last fall, three congregations met at Salem for an evening of worship led by Bob Helverson and the Salem worship team, prayer, and teaching led by Noel Santiago. “It was very meaningful,” she said. “It was a great time of worship, joining together with sisters and brothers from other congregations. There was a real sense of unity as the Spirit led us.”
Claude Good
Worm Project Coordinator
Claude Good works with a network of highly energized people dedicated to adding nutrition to the malnourished of the world, through stopping the infestation of intestinal worms.
Claude has five children and nine grandchildren. Before working for the conference, Claude and his wife, Alice, lived and worked with the Triqui Indians of Southern Mexico. They did medical work, church planting and Bible translation. To relax, Claude listens to the great hymns of the church with the volume turned up and collects wisdom.
Claude sees a growing sense in the conference that it needs to get more involved with the world outside its borders. He is excited that the conference could spearhead a movement that would strongly impact large areas of the world for good. Recently, Claude spent time with a group of sixth graders at Souderton Mennonite Church. “There was excitement about knowing that the money they raised from a car-wash ($1,250) was enough to treat more than 85,000 children with worms plus the fact that their donation would be doubled or tripled with funds supplied by the distributors,” he said.
Noah Kolb
Pastor of Ministerial Leadership
Noah Kolb oversees the calling of pastoral leadership. He works with search committees to help review pastoral credentials. He also assists in public ceremonies for licensing and ordination. As a LEADership Minister he works with seven congregations, meeting the pastors, lay leaders and congregational leadership teams.
Noah and his wife Sara have three children, Stephanie, Stephen and Rebecca, and eight grandchildren. Aside from pastoring since the 1970s, Noah also has owned a small painting and construction business. To relax, Noah said he needs space and hands on work, doing construction and working in his garden.
Noah appreciated being involved in three different ordinations recently. “It was a time of fulfillment as pastors took their vows and committed themselves to on-going ministry,” he said. “These are high and holy moments for me.” He is excited about the future of the Conference, because it is “working hard at discerning and carrying out God's mission in this region and beyond,” he said. “I find the call to be intercultural very challenging and rewarding. I believe God is calling us to become all things to all people so that we might win some into the Kingdom.”
Noah appreciated being involved in three different ordinations recently. “It was a time of fulfillment as pastors took their vows and committed themselves to on-going ministry,” he said. “These are high and holy moments for me.” He is excited about the future of the Conference, because it is “working hard at discerning and carrying out God's mission in this region and beyond,” he said. “I find the call to be intercultural very challenging and rewarding. I believe God is calling us to become all things to all people so that we might win some into the Kingdom.”
Steve Kriss
Director of Communication and Leadership Cultivation
Congregation:
Philadelphia Praise Center
Phone: 267-932-6050, x137
Steve Kriss works with Indonesian-speaking congregations and new leaders. He also oversees communication strategies for the Conference. Steve is LEADership minister for new and established congregations in Central Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley.
Besides his Conference work, Steve also works with Eastern Mennonite University and does some teaching at Biblical Seminary. To relax, he likes to read, hike, bike and go to the city, the beach or the mountains. He also enjoys walking around in his neighborhood in Philly.
Steve loves the future possibilities that Franconia Conference represents, trying to graft historic faithfulness with new energy and insight. “I believe that we have amazing possibilities in front of us immediately and will into the future,” he said. One of his favorite conference memories was a road trip to visit ministry inquiry students in the Midwest--driving from Souderton to Minneapolis in a van with young leaders to visit other young leaders. He described it as “fun, exhausting, quirky but memorable and meaningful.”
Sandy Landes
Prayer Ministry Coordinator
Sandy Landes encourages prayer in whatever ways she can, meeting with prayer leaders and pastors, planning prayer gatherings for equipping and prayer, and sharing prayer needs with a list of intercessors.
Sandy and her husband Steve have four children: Rebecca, Dan, Tim, and Tiyanna. Their family enjoys camping and hiking together, traveling to new places and reading good books. Before working with the conference, Sandy taught for four years at Plumstead Christian School. In addition to her conference work, Sandy also works as prayer coordinator at Doylestown Mennonite Church.
Not too long ago, Sandy attended a prayer and praise service at Finland Mennonite Church that was meaningful to her. “It was very encouraging to hear testimonies of how God has worked in their midst through the building process and in the lives of church and community participants,” she said. “We prayed in small groups together and it was heartening to hear persons lift each other to the throne. This is what makes my work worthwhile and exciting!”
Conrad Martin
Director of Finance
Conrad Martin is responsible for the conference’s finances and oversees all conference-owned properties.
Before working for the conference, Conrad spent time working abroad for Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Economic Development Associates in Tanzania and Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh. Conrad has been married to his wife, Josephine, for almost ten years. In his free time, Conrad enjoys gardening and golf. Proverbs 3:9 is meaningful to him because it fits the best with his personal mission statement. “Honor GOD with everything you own; Give him the first and the best.” (The Message)
Conrad appreciates the response he gets when he visits Conference congregations, “even when they learn I work for the conference,” he said. “I am excited that [the Conference] is becoming more intentional about reconnecting with congregations.”
Emily Ralph
Associate Director of Communication
Emily Ralph oversees Franconia Conference’s web and social media presence (like Facebook and Twitter), writes articles, creates audio and video recordings of events, and edits Intersections.
Before coming to Franconia Conference, Emily worked as a morning host in Christian radio and as a worship pastor at Swamp Mennonite. Now, in addition to her Conference work, she is a full-time seminary student and the founding partner of a creative services firm. Besides doing any kind of creative work, Emily also enjoys reading, playing piano, spending time outdoors, and playing with children (she’s a doting sister and aunt).
Emily loves hearing stories about how Christ moved and is still moving in our Conference. She remembers a time at Bally that they decided to take their new believers’ Sunday School class outside so that people driving by with questions about God could stop and ask. “It was chilly and windy, so we spent a month trying to keep everything from blowing away!” she said. “But we had the opportunity to interact with people from the community that we never would have met otherwise.”
Noel Santiago
LEADership Minister for Spiritual Transformation
Noel Santiago works with pastors and leadership teams to help them align what they do with what they say in their vision and mission. He also works with leaders and networks seeking to bring a transformational impact to their neighboring communities, through prayer.
Noel and his wife, Juanita, were both born in Puerto Rico, but he was raised in Pennsylvania. They lived together a year in Costa Rica as co-leaders of the SST program of Goshen College. To relax, Noel barbeques and hangs out with family and friends. The promise of God’s guidance and strength in Isaiah 58:11 is particularly meaningful to him. “I have experienced this time and time again as a reality in my life,” he said.
Noel loves when the vision “clicks” for congregational leaders. He remembers one significant meeting with a pastor and elder team that “led to an 'aha' moment,” he said. “They recognized a way they could better align some of their activities with their vision.”
Noel loves when the vision “clicks” for congregational leaders. He remembers one significant meeting with a pastor and elder team that “led to an 'aha' moment,” he said. “They recognized a way they could better align some of their activities with their vision.”
Robert Stevenson
Mexico City Pastor
John Stoltzfus
Conference Youth Minister
Congregation:
Ertell Whigham
Executive Minister
Congregation:
Nueva Vida Norristown New Life
Phone: 267-932-6050, x153
LEAD Congregational Assignments:
- Alpha
- Franconia
- Rockhill
- Salem
- Salford
- Souderton
- New Beginnings
LEADership Ministers
Jenifer Eriksen Morales
Minister of Transitional Ministries
Jenifer Eriksen Morales journeys with congregations in transition and with intentional interim ministers, providing support and resourcing. She is also a LEADership Minister for eight congregations.
Jenifer and her husband Victor have a bi-cultural, Mexican/American, English/Spanish speaking family. They have 3 children: Nicolas, Jonathan, and Janae. The family loves soccer and trips to the mountains and beach. Before coming to work for the conference, Jenifer was the Language and Literacy Program Coordinator for ProJeCt of Easton, Inc. To relax, she enjoys spending time with friends over a good cup of coffee. She also reads and loves a little friendly competition through board and table games. Jenifer has many fond memories of growing up in a Franconia Conference congregation, including the recent gathering at her ordination in May 2011. “The participation, presence and support of members and leaders of many Franconia Conference congregations, as well as friends and family is a gift I will treasure throughout my ministry,” she said. She is excited to continue working with a group of congregations who value being intercultural, missional and formational and who are committed to continual growth in these areas.
Kirk Hanger
LEADership Minister
Kirk is LEADership Minister for Boyertown Mennonite Church and works with church plants including emerging Spanish-speaking churches in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Ossining, N.Y. Kirk also continues to mentor pastors and church planters in Mexico.
Kirk Hanger and his wife Marilyn have two sons: Joshua and Jacob. Aside from his work with the Conference, Kirk also pastors New Hope Fellowship in Alexandria, Va. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. Kirk is excited about the future of emerging churches among various immigrant groups in urban areas along the East Coast. Ephesians 3:20-21 is a meaningful text for Kirk. “It reminds me that we serve a God who is able and works in and through us so that Jesus will be glorified in the church,” he said.
Kirk has good memories of worshiping and preaching in a multicultural, multilingual service at Philadelphia Praise Center. “The sermon was in three languages and they sang in Indonesian, Spanish and English,” he said. “Latinos, Indonesians and Anglos worshiping God together.”
Kirk has good memories of worshiping and preaching in a multicultural, multilingual service at Philadelphia Praise Center. “The sermon was in three languages and they sang in Indonesian, Spanish and English,” he said. “Latinos, Indonesians and Anglos worshiping God together.”
Noah Kolb
Pastor of Ministerial Leadership
Noah Kolb oversees the calling of pastoral leadership. He works with search committees to help review pastoral credentials. He also assists in public ceremonies for licensing and ordination. As a LEADership Minister he works with seven congregations, meeting the pastors, lay leaders and congregational leadership teams.
Noah and his wife Sara have three children, Stephanie, Stephen and Rebecca, and eight grandchildren. Aside from pastoring since the 1970s, Noah also has owned a small painting and construction business. To relax, Noah said he needs space and hands on work, doing construction and working in his garden.
Noah appreciated being involved in three different ordinations recently. “It was a time of fulfillment as pastors took their vows and committed themselves to on-going ministry,” he said. “These are high and holy moments for me.” He is excited about the future of the Conference, because it is “working hard at discerning and carrying out God's mission in this region and beyond,” he said. “I find the call to be intercultural very challenging and rewarding. I believe God is calling us to become all things to all people so that we might win some into the Kingdom.”
Noah appreciated being involved in three different ordinations recently. “It was a time of fulfillment as pastors took their vows and committed themselves to on-going ministry,” he said. “These are high and holy moments for me.” He is excited about the future of the Conference, because it is “working hard at discerning and carrying out God's mission in this region and beyond,” he said. “I find the call to be intercultural very challenging and rewarding. I believe God is calling us to become all things to all people so that we might win some into the Kingdom.”
Steve Kriss
Director of Communication and Leadership Cultivation
Congregation:
Philadelphia Praise Center
Phone: 267-932-6050, x137
Steve Kriss works with Indonesian-speaking congregations and new leaders. He also oversees communication strategies for the Conference. Steve is LEADership minister for new and established congregations in Central Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley.
Besides his Conference work, Steve also works with Eastern Mennonite University and does some teaching at Biblical Seminary. To relax, he likes to read, hike, bike and go to the city, the beach or the mountains. He also enjoys walking around in his neighborhood in Philly.
Steve loves the future possibilities that Franconia Conference represents, trying to graft historic faithfulness with new energy and insight. “I believe that we have amazing possibilities in front of us immediately and will into the future,” he said. One of his favorite conference memories was a road trip to visit ministry inquiry students in the Midwest--driving from Souderton to Minneapolis in a van with young leaders to visit other young leaders. He described it as “fun, exhausting, quirky but memorable and meaningful.”
Noel Santiago
LEADership Minister for Spiritual Transformation
Noel Santiago works with pastors and leadership teams to help them align what they do with what they say in their vision and mission. He also works with leaders and networks seeking to bring a transformational impact to their neighboring communities, through prayer.
Noel and his wife, Juanita, were both born in Puerto Rico, but he was raised in Pennsylvania. They lived together a year in Costa Rica as co-leaders of the SST program of Goshen College. To relax, Noel barbeques and hangs out with family and friends. The promise of God’s guidance and strength in Isaiah 58:11 is particularly meaningful to him. “I have experienced this time and time again as a reality in my life,” he said.
Noel loves when the vision “clicks” for congregational leaders. He remembers one significant meeting with a pastor and elder team that “led to an 'aha' moment,” he said. “They recognized a way they could better align some of their activities with their vision.”
Noel loves when the vision “clicks” for congregational leaders. He remembers one significant meeting with a pastor and elder team that “led to an 'aha' moment,” he said. “They recognized a way they could better align some of their activities with their vision.”
Ertell Whigham
Executive Minister
Congregation:
Nueva Vida Norristown New Life
Phone: 267-932-6050, x153
LEAD Congregational Assignments:
- Alpha
- Franconia
- Rockhill
- Salem
- Salford
- Souderton
- New Beginnings
Ray Yoder
LEADership Minister
Ray Yoder is a LEADership Minister for two churches—Swamp and Mennonite Bible Fellowship. He also serves on the conference Ministerial Committee.
Ray and his wife Edna have two daughters and two grandsons. Since 1966, Ray has spent time as a pastor in nine different churches in three different conferences. To relax, Ray likes to read, watch birds and enjoy his many flower beds. 2 Corinthians 3:18 is meaningful to Ray. “This statement points to the central focus to which we are called – to Christ who is the shaping power in our lives,” he said.
Ray believes the focus values of the Conference are on target. “If we are captivated by the Holy Spirit in living these out, the conference will be a powerful movement in carrying out Christ’s kingdom mission in this region – in our world,” he said. Ray remembers an excellent full length drama written by one of the members of a congregation where he was serving as pastor. “It was well presented by many members of the congregation,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing many gifts of the Spirit identified and developed.”
Ray believes the focus values of the Conference are on target. “If we are captivated by the Holy Spirit in living these out, the conference will be a powerful movement in carrying out Christ’s kingdom mission in this region – in our world,” he said. Ray remembers an excellent full length drama written by one of the members of a congregation where he was serving as pastor. “It was well presented by many members of the congregation,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing many gifts of the Spirit identified and developed.”
Conference-based Pastors
Beny Krisbianto
Leadership Pastor
Beny Krisbianto is a board member for the Conference. He also works with immigrant churches and church planting emerging churches. Beny works a lot with peace and justice issues in inner city Philadelphia.
Beny was born in Indonesia, the country with the highest Muslim population in the world, but his parents were Christians. Aside from working for the Conference, Beny has also worked with the Nations Worship Centers in both Iowa and Philadelphia. To relax, Beny watches football and the highlights of soccer games. He came to the US by way of Iowa (go Hawkeyes!).
Beny appreciated the support churches in the Conference gave his congregation in 2010 when many in his congregations lost their jobs. Conference groups jumped in to help the congregation. Christopher Dock collected rice and noodles and the Salford and Souderton congregations also helped. “I couldn't imagine if the congregation had tried to do that by themselves,” he said. He loves that Mennonite community is based in faithfulness to Christ. “I love the vision of the conference that wants to embrace multicultural vision,” he said. “As an immigrant congregation, we feel welcomed to be a part of the conference.”
Volunteer Staff
Kirk Hanger
LEADership Minister
Kirk is LEADership Minister for Boyertown Mennonite Church and works with church plants including emerging Spanish-speaking churches in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Ossining, N.Y. Kirk also continues to mentor pastors and church planters in Mexico.
Kirk Hanger and his wife Marilyn have two sons: Joshua and Jacob. Aside from his work with the Conference, Kirk also pastors New Hope Fellowship in Alexandria, Va. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. Kirk is excited about the future of emerging churches among various immigrant groups in urban areas along the East Coast. Ephesians 3:20-21 is a meaningful text for Kirk. “It reminds me that we serve a God who is able and works in and through us so that Jesus will be glorified in the church,” he said.
Kirk has good memories of worshiping and preaching in a multicultural, multilingual service at Philadelphia Praise Center. “The sermon was in three languages and they sang in Indonesian, Spanish and English,” he said. “Latinos, Indonesians and Anglos worshiping God together.”
Kirk has good memories of worshiping and preaching in a multicultural, multilingual service at Philadelphia Praise Center. “The sermon was in three languages and they sang in Indonesian, Spanish and English,” he said. “Latinos, Indonesians and Anglos worshiping God together.”
Adamino Ortiz
Associate for International Partnerships
Congregation:
Nueva Vida Norristown New Life
Home Phone: 610-326-7189
Adamino is the representative of the conference in Cuba, connecting with Cuban missions as the go between for the workers in Cuba. He was commissioned for leadership development and church planting in Cuba and teaches in the Bible institute there as well helping with translation work.
Born in Puerto Rico, Adamino came to the United States in 1967. He married his wife Ruth in March 2009, 44 years after their first date. He has four daughters and four grandkids. Adamino loves gardening, travel and listening to music about country, family, and love on YouTube. He travels to Cuba one to two times a year and ministers through the telephone in between--calling people, especially in the Caribbean, to check in with them and encourage them.
Adamino is excited that the conference is more open now to diversity, including new board members who aren’t white. “It’s becoming a 21st century conference,” he said. He remembers a special trip when Nueva Vida Norristown New Life pastor Luke Beidler invited him to go to Cuba to track down a Mennonite church planted many years earlier. “The Mennonite church was never recognized by the Cuban government,” he said. “We went over there and found the groups and I fell in love with Cuba.”
Ray Yoder
LEADership Minister
Ray Yoder is a LEADership Minister for two churches—Swamp and Mennonite Bible Fellowship. He also serves on the conference Ministerial Committee.
Ray and his wife Edna have two daughters and two grandsons. Since 1966, Ray has spent time as a pastor in nine different churches in three different conferences. To relax, Ray likes to read, watch birds and enjoy his many flower beds. 2 Corinthians 3:18 is meaningful to Ray. “This statement points to the central focus to which we are called – to Christ who is the shaping power in our lives,” he said.
Ray believes the focus values of the Conference are on target. “If we are captivated by the Holy Spirit in living these out, the conference will be a powerful movement in carrying out Christ’s kingdom mission in this region – in our world,” he said. Ray remembers an excellent full length drama written by one of the members of a congregation where he was serving as pastor. “It was well presented by many members of the congregation,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing many gifts of the Spirit identified and developed.”
Ray believes the focus values of the Conference are on target. “If we are captivated by the Holy Spirit in living these out, the conference will be a powerful movement in carrying out Christ’s kingdom mission in this region – in our world,” he said. Ray remembers an excellent full length drama written by one of the members of a congregation where he was serving as pastor. “It was well presented by many members of the congregation,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing many gifts of the Spirit identified and developed.”