By Joanne Gallardo, Conference Co-Minister

In many of our IMMC congregations, meetings are a regular part of community life. There’s our community life team, our trustees, our board, and after a while, these meetings can feel perfunctory and obligatory. But Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen has seen how the Spirit is moving in those “ordinary meetings.”

Next to Berkey’s property sits a house. It was originally purchased in 2011 with the intent to use it for Christian Education. The church later found out that because of issues with the house not being up to code, it couldn’t be used for that purpose.

For a time, Berkey rented out the property to people who inquired. In 2023, Berkey formulated a Mission Survey to ask the congregation for responses as to how Berkey might move with their ministry. They received feedback that congregation members would like to see the property next to them used for local needs. Berkey was eager for the property not to be sold, but for it to serve as a place providing tangible needs for locals.

According to the mission survey, the congregation wanted to:

• Prioritize service and care for basic needs rather than education
• Make larger investments in fewer organizations
• When possible, direct funding locally in ways that allow for relationships with local organizations
• Give preference to developing relationship across differences and to concrete actions they might create and do as opposed to simply giving dollars

After consulting with La Casa in Goshen, they were directed to Downtown Ministries (DTM). Berkey consulted Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen who had a positive experience with this organization. DTM is a faith-based non-profit founded in 2017 whose mission is to “…love our neighbor and serve our city.” DTM provides guidance in the areas of faith and finance, employment, and transitional housing. DTM has five different homes in Goshen, and the families in these homes are provided housing for $300 a month. They are encouraged to make use of DTW’s other supplemental services.

Over the course of nine months, Berkey had put into motion a new life for “The House Next Door,” as they call it.

The House Next Door now serves as transitional housing for families in need. After the house underwent a few renovations, the first family moved into the house in August to begin their temporary housing journey. DTW defines “temporary” as one to two years.

In the midst of normal, commonplace meetings, the Holy Spirit was moving at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship. With a deep heart for mission and service, the congregation enacted a whole new ministry that put to good use resources they already had. Pastor Mark Schloneger said at the end of our conversation, “I think in the political climate we find ourselves in, it’s so good to be thinking of ways we can model a community that’s based on mercy, empowerment, and justice.”