MC USA's Annual BIPOC Gathering Reflects on Past, Envisions Future

The Hope for the Future conference in South Texas focused on discernment, strategic visioning, and building connections across diverse communities.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Mennonite Church USA's annual Hope for the Future gathering, held January 30-February 1 in San Antonio, Texas, brought together Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) leaders affiliated with the denomination. The event offered a space for worship, networking, and mutual support, with a focus on reflecting on the vision of the event's founders, celebrating new resources for younger leaders, and envisioning how to build sustainable and adaptive support for people serving in diverse contexts.

Why it matters

The Hope for the Future gathering is an important annual event for BIPOC leaders within the Mennonite Church USA, providing a space for community, discernment, and strategic planning. As the denomination navigates challenges and changes, this gathering helps ensure the voices and perspectives of BIPOC leaders are centered and empowered.

The details

The gathering took place at Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio (Rock of Refuge Christian Church) in San Antonio. Roca de Refugio Pastor Dianne Garcia called participants to embrace interdependence in ministry and community life, emphasizing that 'there is no hierarchy of love' and that 'our love for God, people in the margins, community, family and ourselves are all interconnected and abundant.' Attendees, including Jonny Rashid of West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship, reflected on the need for solidarity across communities and 'collective liberation.' For Stanley Green, one of the founders of the Hope for the Future conference, the weekend renewed a spirit of perseverance and faith, as he expressed being 'filled with hope' for the future of the Mennonite Church.

  • The Hope for the Future gathering took place January 30-February 1, 2026.
  • The event has been an annual gathering for BIPOC leaders within Mennonite Church USA.

The players

Dianne Garcia

Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio (Rock of Refuge Christian Church) in San Antonio, Texas, where the Hope for the Future gathering was held.

Jonny Rashid

Pastor of West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship, who reflected on the need for solidarity across communities and 'collective liberation' at the gathering.

Stanley Green

Executive conference minister of Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference and one of the founders of the Hope for the Future conference, who expressed renewed hope and faith for the future of the Mennonite Church.

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What they’re saying

“There is no hierarchy of love; our love for God, people in the margins, community, family and ourselves are all interconnected and abundant.”

— Dianne Garcia, Pastor, Iglesia Cristiana Roca de Refugio (anabaptistworld.org)

“To be united, we need to work toward collective liberation. We need to ally with all minorities, because our liberation is linked.”

— Jonny Rashid, Pastor, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship (anabaptistworld.org)

“I am filled with hope. It may yet be rocky ahead, but the body of Christ will live and light the way in the dark valleys . . . until we arrive at the mountaintop from which we will behold the dawning light of a new day.”

— Stanley Green, Executive Conference Minister, Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference (anabaptistworld.org)

What’s next

The Hope for the Future gathering will continue to be an annual event for BIPOC leaders within Mennonite Church USA, providing a space for community, discernment, and strategic planning as the denomination navigates challenges and changes.

The takeaway

The Hope for the Future gathering demonstrates the importance of creating dedicated spaces for BIPOC leaders to come together, reflect on the past, and envision a more just and equitable future for the Mennonite Church. By centering the voices and perspectives of those on the margins, the event helps strengthen the resilience and adaptability of the denomination as a whole.