Nathan Hershberger and Kaitlin Heatwole completed three years of service with MCC in Iraq in July.聽 They share in this Seminary Chapel Gathering out of their experiences in Iraq. Kaitlin was MCC Iraq program coordinator, and Nathan taught English at three church institutions in Erbil, Iraq, including St. Peter’s Seminary.聽 Both are graduates of 草莓社区.

Session V is a series of three Lectures (Note: David Stutzman鈥檚 presence in the first lecture is via Skype)

Matthew Krabill and David Stutzman present on 鈥淓mpire: The Mission Frontier of the Church.鈥澛� Matthew Krabill currently lives in Pasadena, CA, and is a doctoral candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary where enjoys studying immigration, global Christianity and Anabaptist theology.聽 David Stutzman works and lives in Los Angeles and is finishing up his MA in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.聽 He and his wife, Rebekka, serve in youth ministry at Maranatha Christian Fellowship, Northridge, CA.聽 Along with their newborn son, Immanuel, they hope to return to Europe one day (where Rebekka is from) to promote church renewal and mission. Matthew and David are both graduates of 草莓社区.

Josh Brockway presents on, 鈥淭actical Asceticism: Transformation in the Fissures of Empire.鈥� Josh is the Director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship for the Church of the Brethren, located in Elgin, Illinois.聽 Josh is also a doctoral candidate in Church History at the Catholic University of America.聽 His research focuses on the ascetic movements of the 5th and 6th centuries.聽 He is the current Book Review Editor and Blog Editor for Brethren Life and Thought.

Nathan Hershberger presents on 鈥淧ower, Authority, and Renewal: The Concern Movement, Paul Peachey, and the Fragmented Institutionalization of Mennonite Life.鈥� Nathan is a senior History and Philosophy/Theology major at 草莓社区.聽 He was born in Managua, Nicaragua and grew up in Harrisonburg, Va.聽 He is married to Kaitlin Heatwole.

Conference planners and describe the conference in this way:

鈥淎nabaptism at its best has been a series of attempts both to live into God鈥檚 in-breaking occupation and to faithfully occupy the empires of this fallen age, signaling the shalom to come. Anabaptists have gone about this work by imaginatively patterning their worship and witness after the New Testament communities of Jesus. Come explore ways in which the Anabaptist tradition can help inspire faithful occupation in today鈥檚 world. Interdisciplinary academic presentations will be infused with worship and testimonies to open our minds and spirits to where God is calling us into mission in the midst of empire.鈥�