News & stories EMM’s sixteen-year veteran board chair passes the gavel to successor Carlton Stambaug (left) chair of the EMM board for the past 16 years, shakes hands with new EMM board chair Joe Sherer after handing him a wooden gavel from the Philippines. Sherer was installed in the bimonthly meeting of the board on February 1. Photo by Tammy Evans. SALUNGA, Pa.—In its bimonthly board meeting February 1, the Board of Eastern Mennonite Missions unanimously affirmed Joe Sherer, pastor of Mount Joy Mennonite church, as its new chair. For the past 16 years, Sherer has served as vice chair alongside Carlton Stambaugh, the outgoing chair. In his farewell to the board Stambaugh reminisced about his previous service with MCC in West Africa and with EMM in Honduras. He said, “My service on the EMM board was a way to continue my mission involvement.” He became chair in 1992. Stambaugh said, “When we realize how many mission sending groups there are, EMM can feel pretty small and insignificant, yet at the same time, what’s been happening among us is fantastic.” Stambaugh noted that the EMM board does not come together for the perks of money or travel, but that the work is about people in the world coming to know Jesus. “It’s been a wonderful journey,” Stambaugh said. “EMM president Richard Showalter and I have had a great working relationship. We must have worn out a seat in the Round-the-Clock Diner in York – a conveniently located meeting place where we did a lot of planning for the work of the board.” As he left, Stambaugh presented a wooden gavel made in the Philippines, to Sherer, symbolic of the new leadership role Sherer will be shouldering. Sherer responded to the board, “I am humbled by your confidence and emboldened by this strong team. I covet your prayers for the important and challenging work that lies ahead.” He noted significant changes in EMM’s work – such as entry into Central Asia – that Stambaugh has overseen. Keith Weaver, moderator of Lancaster Mennonite Conference led in a commissioning prayer for Sherer in his new role noting that “good governance makes a powerful difference in how an organization thrives.” - Jewel Showalter Back to news and stories