CLink, the CL biweekly e-digest, offers subscribers breaking news, ministry and agency updates and occasional essays. What C-Link stories were of most interest to readers in 2024? Here is the list of the top 10 most read posts, with links to the online stories below the summary.
While I understand why most of these stories attracted readers, there are some articles that ranked in the top 10 that are surprising. For example, I don’t have objective explanations for why posts about the new FPU baseball stadium or the expansion of the online Mennonite encyclopedia drew so many readers. If you have an explanation, please leave a comment or email editor@usmb.org
10. Rolando Mireles’ death
For more than 50 years, Rolando Mireles, of La Grulla, Texas, served the U.S. Mennonite Brethren church locally, nationally and internationally. Mireles died July 9, 2024, at the age of 75 following a short illness.
Rolando Mireles remembered for service locally and beyond by Connie Faber
9. Brian Harris makes ministry transition
After working for 17 months as the USMB church planting mobilizer, Brian Harris resigned to serve as the Southern District Conference minister. In an interview with the CL, Harris said working as the church planting mobilizer clarified his call to pastoral ministry in the role as a “pastor to the pastors.”
Harris to serve as SDC minister — USMB press release
8. David Loewen’s comments at the National Convention
At the conclusion of his report at the 2024 National Convention, Board of Faith and Life chair David Loewen challenged delegates and guests to think about “theological drift” in terms of walking in the way of Jesus.
Walking the Jesus way by David Loewen
7. Appointment of Aaron Box
The Leadership Board selected Aaron Box, senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene, Oregon, as the USMB national director. Box replaced Don Morris, who retired after serving USMB for 20 years, most recently as national director. Box has made it a practice to say “Yes” to God’s leading, he said in an interview with CL.
Aaron Box appointed next USMB national director – USMB press release
6. USMB withdraws from Everence Board of Directors 
USMB will no longer be represented on the Everence Board of Directors. While the Leadership Board made the decision to alter its relationship with the inter-Mennonite stewardship ministry in October 2023, the Leadership Board announced the decision in May 2024.
Leadership Board redefines relationships with Everence by Connie Faber
5. Backyard music festival supports MCC
Clyde Ferguson Jr. is not only an award-winning music educator and gospel and blues bassist, he also is a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) East Coast board member representing the USMB Eastern District Conference. This year, he invited guests attending his annual music festival to support the inter-Mennonite relief organization.
Put a little love in your yard by Laura Pauls-Thomas for MCC
4. FPU announces new baseball stadium
Fresno Pacific University broke ground Feb. 21, 2024, on a new baseball stadium. The facility was funded by a $3 million gift from Fresno’s Daniel R. Martin Family Foundation and a lead gift from Valley Iron, Inc., and the Briscoe family. The three-phase upgrade will be unveiled at the start of the 2025 baseball season.
FPU breaks ground on Daniel Martin Stadium — FPU press release
3. Janzen makes case for Tabor College
Tabor College President David Janzen shares his dream that Tabor College will be “embraced as one of the best places for our (Mennonite Brethren) youth to be prepared for lives of ministry and consequence regardless of their career goals.” He invites U.S. Mennonite Brethren to “embrace our school, Tabor College, as core to our vision and hope for Christ’s work in the world.”
Embracing Tabor College in the vision for our future by David Janzen
2. Online encyclopedia expansion
At its annual meeting, the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) management board made a change in board leadership and agreed on several updates to the site to increase multilingual access.
GAMEO takes multilingual focus — GAMEO press release
1. USMB boards meet in South Texas
Two dozen USMB leaders met in McAllen, Texas, March 20-23, 2024, for spring board meetings. In addition to working through agenda items, members of the Board of Faith and Life, National Strategy Team, Leadership Council and Leadership Board enjoyed meals provided by area MB churches and toured the U.S./Mexico border.
USMB Leadership Board prepares for Gathering 2024 by Connie Faber
Connie Faber joined the magazine staff in 1994 and assumed the duties of editor in 2004. She has won awards from the Evangelical Press Association for her writing and editing. Faber is the co-author of Family Matters: Discovering the Mennonite Brethren. She and her husband, David, have two daughters, one son, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and three grandchildren. They are members of Ebenfeld MB Church in Hillsboro, Kansas.
