Mennonite Church USA Moderator Shares Journey to Finding Belonging in the Church

Jon Carlson, lead pastor of Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania, and moderator of Mennonite Church USA, shares his journey of finding belonging within the Mennonite tradition. His story is part of the “Menno by Choice” series, which invites personal reflections on faith and identity.

Carlson grew up in a household marked by spiritual commitment but also significant mental health challenges. His parents, though deeply spiritual, navigated a complex spiritual journey that took them through Catholicism, evangelical fundamentalism, and neo-Pentecostalism. The family environment, however, was one of instability, neglect, and abuse. At age eight, Children and Youth Services determined the home was unsafe, leading to the removal of Carlson and his three siblings into foster care. Over the next five years, he moved between foster homes, extended family, and occasional visits with his parents.

The experience of displacement left Carlson yearning for stability and a sense of family. When he was eventually returned to his parents’ care as a teenager, he found himself in a difficult place emotionally and spiritually. The Mennonite church became a place where he found not only community but also a sense of identity and purpose.

Carlson’s path to the Mennonite church was not immediate. As a young adult, he struggled with the perception of Mennonites as associated with horses, buggies, and bonnets. During a summer camp Bible study, a participant questioned his identification with the tradition, noting the disconnect between his experience and the common stereotypes. This moment prompted Carlson to reflect on the diversity within Anabaptist communities and the ways in which Mennonites can embody a wide range of expressions while maintaining core values.

The Mennonite tradition, with its emphasis on community, service, and peace, resonated with Carlson’s own search for belonging. His journey reflects the broader narrative of many who find spiritual home within the Anabaptist tradition, even if their paths to it are complex and shaped by personal history.

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