Hope for the Future 2025. Photo by Juan Moya, Anabaptist World. See more photos here.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” —Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
The refrain, “We have been here before,” echoed throughout the Hope for the Future Conference at Goshen College, held Feb. 28 – March 2, 2025. This annual gathering for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) leaders within MC USA celebrated resilience, honored the past and envisioned a future grounded in justice and hope.
This year’s conference commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Damascus Road Anti-Racism Process, a pioneering initiative launched by Mennonite Central Committee U.S. in 1995. Damascus Road laid the foundation for anti-racism training within Mennonite and Anabaptist communities, equipping participants with theological, educational and organizational tools for institutional transformation. The conference honored early founders of Damascus Road, inspired those committed to its vision and welcomed white allies into the sacred space of shared learning and solidarity.
Radical love will overcome
Iris de León-Hartshorn. Photo by Juan Moya.
“People of color have been here before, but radical love will overcome,” said Rev. Iris de León-Hartshorn, MC USA’s associate executive director of Operations and an early supporter of Damascus Road. Speaking to more than 130 gathered attendees at College Mennonite Church, she drew connections between past injustices and present challenges, urging the community to rise in faith and action.
“Radical love will overcome racism, hate and abuse of power. Each generation must rise up to meet the challenge. My friends and fellow believers, we cannot keep silent,” she exhorted.
Her words were underscored by the hymn “How Can We Be Silent” (Voices Together #790), led by Rev. Joann Gallardo, co-minister of Indiana Michigan Mennonite Conference, as voices joined in unified conviction and worship.
Honoring the journey
Felipe Hinojosa, Regina Shands Stoltzfus and Tobin Miller Shearer. Photo by Juan Moya.
In a powerful session, Anabaptist historian Felipe Hinojosa interviewed the co-founders of Damascus Road: Dr. Regina Shands Stoltzfus, a peace and justice educator, and Tobin Miller Shearer, who described himself as a “young, punk, naïve, white Mennonite boy” when he first felt called to dismantle racism in the church. Their early work began in 1995, culminating in a landmark gathering of 250 people in New York City, just four months after they met.
They recounted the struggles of grassroots organizing, building a network of allies, and navigating institutional resistance, all while balancing young families. “It was important to me that our children knew why we did this work,” said Shands Stoltzfus. “We started each training with: ‘I do this work so my kids can live in this country and not be afraid. I do this work so your kids can live in this country and not be afraid.'”
Signs of hope emerged over the decades, evidenced by BIPOC leaders now heading key Anabaptist organizations, including MC USA and the Anabaptist World board of directors. Today, Miller Shearer continues his work as a professor of History and African-American Studies at the University of Montana, while Shands Stoltzfus serves as professor and director of Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies at Goshen College. They also collaborate through Widerstand Consulting.
Lessons from the past, strength for the future
Hendy Matahelemual participated in a storytelling panel discussion. Photo by Juan Moya.
A second storytelling panel, facilitated by Jill Hurst-Wahl, executive director of Widerstand Consulting, featured leaders and trainers from Damascus Road and its successor, Roots of Justice. Panelists Phil Brubaker, de León-Hartshorn, Rick Dirksen, Hinojosa, Hendy Matahelemual, Thulani Moore, Maati Yvonne and Brenda Zook Friesen shared personal stories of oppression, anti-racist transformation, and the lessons that shaped their work:
- “Be courageous,” urged de León-Hartshorn. “Courage is not the absence of fear.”
- “Be patient,” advised Maati Yvonne. “Because sometimes it takes people longer.”
- “Build sustainable alliances with other targets of oppression,” warned Thulani Conrad Moore, cautioning against divisions among marginalized communities.
Moore also reminded attendees: “We have done good work. We have reason to celebrate. Our most powerful weapon is hope.”
We have what we need
Keynote speaker Regina Shands Stoltzfus. Photo by Juan Moya.
Shands Stoltzfus delivered a keynote address reflecting on the anniversaries of Trayvon Martin’s and Breonna Taylor’s deaths and highlighting the importance of history, community and resilience. She recounted stories from the Great Migration, the 1968 Howard University protests and the role of Black churches in sustaining justice movements.
“This is our legacy,” Shands Stoltzfus said. “This is what a gathered community can do when we recognize our vision, our strength and our power. Because we have been here before.”
Leonard Dow, vice president of community and church development for Everence, affirmed this message: “By God’s grace, through organizing, prayer, financial resources, wisdom and education, we have persevered. We’ve been here before. Therefore, we have what we need to move forward together.”
Shands Stoltzfus and Miller Shearer were recognized at a gala later that evening for the role they played in dismantling racism in the Mennonite church. MC USA Executive Director Glen Guyton expressed his gratitude to them, saying: “I want to thank you for the work that you’ve done in the church, the legacy you left behind and the people you influenced. The work that you did paved the way for people like me.” Guyton also acknowledged the other seven elders who were honored for their work and witness.
Redemption and healing
Suzette Shreffler. Photo by Juan Moya.
On the second day of the conference, Rev. Suzette Schreffler, co-pastor of White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church, shared a moving testimony of how God walked with her through trauma, loss and healing. She challenged attendees to embrace their own call to redemption: “God has equipped me, parented me as a father, and used me to help my people. Where do you see him in your life wanting to redeem you?”
Following her testimony, attendees participated in a healing ritual, placing their hands in water and over the part of their body where they carry the burdens of their work. Each person took a swatch of gold fabric as a tangible reminder of God’s love.
Equipped for the future
Thulani Conrad Moore and Leonard Dow discuss the future of anti-racism work. Photo by Juan Moya.
A panel discussion, moderated by Madalyn Metzger, vice president of marketing for Everence, explored the future of anti-racism work. Panelists shared personal experiences and emphasized the importance of centering Jesus and community, fostering interfaith collaboration, and engaging in ecumenical outreach.
Learning labs provided attendees with practical tools for addressing topics such as transracial identity, supporting immigrant communities, preserving BIPOC history, and writing as a political act. Separate spaces for a white caucus and a BIPOC healing circle furthered opportunities for reflection and growth.
Keep moving forward
Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Lerone Martin, director of the MLK, Jr. Research & Education Institute at Stanford University, delivered a stirring address on Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy. He emphasized that racism, poverty and war remain interconnected struggles that demand action today.
Rev. Dr. Lerone A. Martin
“King knew that every human being was made in the image of God,” Martin said. “Racism instills a false sense of inferiority in people of color … and a false sense of superiority in those who perpetuate it. Both are harmful.”
Quoting King, Martin urged the audience: “Use whatever you have to push the needle toward justice. If you can fly, fly. If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But whatever you do, just keep moving.”
Martin also spoke on Sunday morning at College Mennonite Church, delivering an unpublished sermon preached by MLK Jr. on July 21, 1963, at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The conference concluded with a book signing Sunday evening, featuring works by de León-Hartshorn, Hinojosa, Miller Shearer and Shands Stoltzfus.
A future filled with hope
Jerrell Williams. Photo by Camille Dager.
The 2025 Hope for the Future conference was sponsored by Everence, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network, MHS Association and the Schowalter Foundation. Since its inception in 2011, Hope for the Future has provided a sacred space for BIPOC leaders to gather, worship and strategize for systemic transformation within MC USA.
Jerrell Williams, MC USA Executive Board member and lead pastor at Shalom Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas, captured the hopeful spirit of the event, saying, “This year’s Hope for the Future inspired me by showing me that the challenges we face are not new. There is a history of anti-racism work and of working for justice for all creation. We need to continue that work. The path that has been laid out for us, and we have a way forward.”
Written by Camille Dager. Special thanks to Juan Moya, Anabaptist World for photography.
Photos by Juan Moya and Camille Dager.