SALUNGA, Pa. — Rhoda M. Sauder, 83, a pioneer and career missionary, passed into eternity on March 23, 2019, in Ephrata, Pa. Rhoda and her late husband, James Sauder, served with Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) for 30 years.

Gerry Keener, president of Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM), is pleased to announce that Lorri Bentch has been appointed as the Mission Team director. Bentch will begin employment on April 3, providing leadership to 111 global workers serving in 33 countries, including regional representatives, and five Central Administrative Office staff members.

LANCASTER, Pa. — Authors Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin will forge guns into garden tools as they release their new book “Beating Guns: Hope for People Who Are Weary of Violence.” On the first day of their book release tour, March 9, at 6 p.m., Claiborne and Martin will be at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Lancaster.

SALUNGA, Pa. — The Board of Directors of Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) announces the appointment of Gerald “Gerry” H. Keener as the president of the organization.

LANCASTER, Pa. — “Discipleship sessions were a big area of focus,” said Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) Kingdom Team Director Krista Martin when asked to highlight what is new for the program this year. The curriculum is based on EMM’s mission statement, providing instruction for Kingdom Team staff to help teach the program participants.

WILLOW STREET, Pa. — It’s all about the international food — at least according to Luke Charles, 35, of Millersville, Pa., who has not missed Eastern Mennonite Missions’ (EMM’s) Global Fair for 19 of the event’s 23 years.

LANCASTER, Pa. — Lancaster educators know refugee resettlement isn’t just about offering a new home, but also helping refugees navigate the years of readjustment ahead of them. That’s why four local organizations are partnering to hold the third year of the Leap into Language summer program for middle school students from refugee and immigrant backgrounds.

WILLOW STREET, Pa. — The sight of alpacas, the sound of bongo drums, and the scent of curry: on July 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern Mennonite Missions’ (EMM’s) Global Fair will once again bring international flavor and culture to the Hans Herr House in Willow Street, Pa.

It began September 4, 1944. A little girl was born to an unwed mother. This little girl would go on to experience pain, shame, and rejection throughout her early years. She was socially awkward and always felt left out. You see, during this period of her life, it was a disgrace to have a child out of wedlock. Her mother hid her for over 14 years before anyone got a chance to meet her. Not sure of her place or purpose in life, she began dreaming of being important — or rather, being noticed.

SALUNGA, Pa. — Krista Martin began her role as Kingdom Team director for Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) on April 9, 2018. The focus of the Kingdom Team program is to provide opportunities for youth groups to serve refugees and immigrants alongside local community partners in Lancaster, Pa., while also participating in activities and sessions designed to strengthen their walk of discipleship. Kingdom Teams work with refugee children and youth through clubs, crafts, tutoring, English conversation activities, sports and games, and other activities that build community and exemplify the love of Christ.