NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) – The waning days of August herald the return to school for students across the United States. Anticipation for new experiences, and hesitation to embrace the unknown intertwine in the air of classrooms, dormitories and lecture halls.
In Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) units across the country, these emotions are paired not with classes, but with volunteer service placements, supporting church communities, and unit housemates. MVS placements can be either one or two years in length, so some new participants are joining households that have already been operating since last year, while others are entering unit houses that have been quiet since all their previous participants said their goodbyes to each other and the local community earlier in the summer. Below are the new MVS participants for the 2025-26 term.
MVS is a service program of Mennonite Mission Network, designed for individuals ages 20+. For more information and to apply for the 2026-27 term year, click here. Applications accepted through January 31.
Emily Keefer
… will be returning for her second year-long term in the Alamosa, Colorado, MVS unit. She will continue her placement with the Center for Restorative Programs, which works to recognize harms and restore equity as much as possible through safe and trauma-responsive programming. Her home church is Lombard Mennonite Church in Lombard, Illinois.
Bella Kephart
… will join the San Francisco, California, MVS unit. Her placement is with the Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC), which provides rental assistance, legal support, and advocacy to help tenants stay in their homes. Her home church is Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, Michigan.
“I signed up for MVS because I wanted to live a life that emulated Jesus’ call to love your neighbor. Although I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my life, I know that God is calling me to work for justice. Through MVS, I have the opportunity to learn more about God and how he is working in San Francisco. I also wanted the chance to experience a new place with a community that is committed to one another and their city.
This year, I hope to learn more about the affordable housing crisis and garner new skills through working with the Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC). I am looking forward to being able to talk with others in Spanish and am excited to learn more technical terms since I will be working in a legal setting. I hope to make lifelong friends and grow to love God more through my experience as a whole. I would also love to get better at cooking. I am so excited for this year!
People can pray for me to discern how God wants to use me to serve his kingdom, that I would be able to maintain long-distance relationships with loved ones while also being present in my context, and that I will be able to experience fullness of life and joy in this next season!”
Keyan Krabill
… will join the San Francisco, California, MVS unit. His placement is with East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, which provides free and low-cost legal and social services for low-income immigrants and people fleeing violence and persecution. His home church is Seattle Mennonite Church in Seattle, Washington.
“I joined MVS for many reasons. First and foremost, I see the need in this time to help lift some of the burden off the immigrants I will be working with. I lived in Guatemala for a year and I look forward to working with that population again as well as others, and working on my Spanish. And finally, I love the idea of living in a house with like-minded volunteers in San Francisco.
I hope to make the lives of the people I work with as easy as possible, and contribute in whichever way I can. I hope to connect deeply with the people I encounter. And I hope to continue to learn and grow in a new place and a new field of work.
People can keep me in their thoughts and prayers as I begin this new chapter, by praying for the wellbeing of those I will be working with.”
Hannah Lehman
… will be returning for her second year-long term in the Tucson, Arizona, MVS unit. She will continue her placement with CHRPA. Her home church is Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Indiana.
“I extended my MVS term because a year didn’t feel like enough time to truly get to know Tucson. I also loved my time with CHRPA and wanted to continue working there. I hope to experience continued joy in the work that I do in Tucson.
I would appreciate prayers for a smooth transition into a second year of service and for wisdom as I discern what path to take after I complete my MVS terms.”
Emmi Scott
… will join the San Francisco, California, MVS unit. Her placement is with Mission Action, which works to break isolation, stabilize people in crisis, and build collective power among Latinx/Indigenous, low-income and immigrant people in San Francisco’s Mission District. Her home church is Hope Fellowship in Waco, Texas.
“Though my undergrad experience was fulfilling in many ways, I was unable to find a faith community that I felt I belonged in while in school. Before continuing with my education, I knew I wanted to return to my Mennonite roots and participate in a service experience that shared my values of communal living, as well as compassionate and inclusive faith. My church introduced me to MVS and it was the perfect fit!
I hope to actively participate in a new faith community in ways that foster my creativity and passions for music, justice, and learning. I also hope to learn from the legal internship I will participate in and pick up legal skills and know-how before entering law school.
Please pray for health and bravery as I try new things and embrace the adventure of new experiences.”
Madison Stockner
… will join the Alamosa, Colorado, MVS unit. Her placement is with the Rio Grande Farm Park, a 38-acre community farm that emphasizes education, farming, and sustainability. Her home church is Blue Ridge Fellowship in Woodlawn, Virginia.
“I joined MVS because I wanted to live in a group house again and focus more on working with communities. This opportunity also allows me to work with agricultural systems which I have been very interested in and this service I can be more involved with certain communities and hear their stories.
This year, I want to learn more about the community in Alamosa. I also want to learn about the agriculture and farming systems and seasons.
People can pray for comfort and the ability to adapt and take full advantage of this opportunity.”
Lleyton Stutzman
… will join the Tucson, Arizona, MVS unit. His placement is with Community Home Repair Project of Arizona (CHRPA), which provides home repairs and adaptive/safety solutions for low-income homeowners. His home church is Community Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
“I signed up for MVS to reflect on what I have spent my life learning and enjoy doing, so that I can try to figure out where I want to go with my life and how I can put my gifts to use.
I want to give my time and skills to improve the lives of the people in the community around me. I am very excited to do this while learning to navigate a different part of the U.S. and exploring the desert environment. Throughout my term, I hope to gain an understanding of where I fit into the world and how I can then continue to help others.
I would appreciate prayers as I settle into a new place, live with new friends, work to better the lives of people in the community and learn more about myself.”
Ana Weaver
… will be returning for her second year-long term in the San Francisco, California, MVS unit. She will continue her placement with Mission Graduates, as an after school program teacher. Her home church is First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio.
Juan Witmer
… will join the Tucson, Arizona, MVS unit. His placement is with CHRPA. His home church is Germantown Mennonite Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“I signed up because I want to learn how to repair things in a house, learn how to live on my own and build connections with people. I hope I can archive how to repair things in a house and understand how to live on your own.
People can pray for a smooth transition and that I can have a safe flight to Tucson.”
