ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) — The two newest staff at Mennonite Mission Network won’t have to worry about getting lost in the building—they’ve been here before. Both Gloria Guadarrama and Dani Klotz worked with Mennonite Mission Network before they started their new roles at the beginning of May.
Guadarrama began her role as a full-time assistant for Mennonite Mission Network. She works with the agency’s human resources department in addition to her role as assistant for the international ministries team. She has worked part-time for Mennonite Mission Network since 2012.
“I really enjoy working here because there is such a great community,” said Guadarrama. “We all help each other through the good and the bad. [My colleagues] have been there for me when I needed them the most.”
Guadarrama is happy to bring her sense of humor and strong work ethic to her new role. “I try to be a hard worker and ask lots of questions to understand the work,” she said.
When she’s not at work, Guadarrama spends time with her husband, José Guadarrama, and their 9-year-old son, Cristian. She enjoys helping her son train for the Goshen (Ind.) Kids Triathlon this summer and watching him play soccer.
“I love being a mom and cheering him on,” said Guadarrama. She also enjoys making jewelry and hair styling, but doesn’t have much time for either hobby. Guadarrama attends St. John’s Catholic Church in Goshen.
“I’m excited to expand my knowledge about how everything works together to make Mennonite Mission Network successful,” said Guadarrama. “As I’ve been learning more about Mennonite Mission Network, I’m amazed that more people than I realized work together to be involved in our ministries.”
Klotz began her role as development associate May 5, about a week after graduating from Goshen College with a bachelor’s degree in business and peace and justice. Since September 2013, she has interned with the Radical Journey program of Mennonite Mission Network.
After graduating from high school, Klotz spent a year in Brazil with Radical Journey, a cross-cultural learning program for young adults.
“Radical Journey played a big part in my theological formation and guided me toward Anabaptism,” said Klotz. “I got to experience simple living and community first-hand. And my other teammates helped me think about reconciliation and peacemaking.”
Klotz believes that her first-hand knowledge of Radical Journey will be invaluable as a development associate because she will be able to share from her experiences as a participant.
In her free time, Klotz likes to cook, knit and crochet. She and her husband, Natanael Fontan, are hosts at the Faith House, a ministry of Faith Mennonite Church in Goshen.
“Hosting at the Faith House is a way for me to live out my faith through the spiritual discipline of hospitality,” said Klotz.
She is looking forward to her new role at Mission Network and forming relationships with others.
“I innately like to be with people,” said Klotz. “I’m excited about meeting with donors and people who contribute. My instinct is that it will be life-giving and energizing to meet people.”
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.