J.L. Martin has been hired fulltime by USMB to work in bookkeeping and event planning, effective Sept. 15, 2023. The announcement was made March 14.
Martin has served USMB in a part-time capacity since 2019 as USMB’s social media coordinator and will begin working full-time alongside Donna Sullivan, USMB administrative secretary/bookkeeper/event planner.
“Already having J.L. Martin on the USMB staff, it’s an easy decision to hire him on full-time in an expanded role,” says USMB National Director Don Morris. “J.L. is conscientious and an encourager for our staff, and he does timely, excellent work. I look forward to his full-time staff involvement, working alongside Donna Sullivan, as bookkeeper/event planner beginning this fall.”
Martin has served in ministry for 22 years, most recently at Hesston (Kansas) MB Church as pastor of children and families for 14 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Sterling (Kansas) College and a master’s in youth and family ministry from Denver Seminary, where he also served as staff accountant for two years while a student.
“We are so very thankful to have J.L Martin stepping into this role with the USMB staff,” says USMB Leadership Board chair Luke Haidle. “This is an answer to prayer in many ways. J.L. brings the character, competency and team chemistry needed for a vibrant organization. This is really exciting news. Also, our deep thanks to Hesston MB Church where J.L. has served for many years.”
In his new role, Martin will help lessen Sullivan’s workload, assisting with USMB bookkeeping, donation flow for several Mennonite Brethren and Anabaptist agencies and event planning for meetings and the upcoming Gathering 2024. He will also continue as USMB’s Social Media Coordinator.
“When USMB staff began talking about the need to hire additional staff, I became excited about the possibility of stepping into something new that supports the USMB family,” Martin says. “This position fits well with my gifts of administration, my understanding of the MB family as a current staff member and the use of my degree in accounting and business administration.”
Martin and his wife, Bethany, have four children and reside in Hesston, Kansas.