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Xaris A. Martínez
Board Chair
Xaris A. Martínez (ella/she/her) is the Executive Manager at Neighborhood Funders Group. She grew up as a Mennonite pastor's kid in California and a missionary kid in Guatemala before completing degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Mississippi, and doctoral coursework in history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Xaris is a member of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, a member of the Missional Church Committee and Leadership Council of the Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA, and is involved in immigrant and farmworker organizing and advocacy in North Carolina.
Clayton Gladish
Vice Chair
Clayton Gladish (he/him) has a curious mind, compassionate heart, and practical spirit. These come in handy as part of the pastoral team at Silverwood Mennonite in Goshen, IN. Clayton grew up in British Columbia, found faith in his young adult life, and chose Anabaptism/Mennonites as his spiritual family. Though he initially resisted the call into pastoral ministry, he cannot imagine life any other way—what else does one do with two degrees in biblical studies? Even after coming out as gay in 2021, he knew that ministering with those who strive for inclusion and justice was the next step in his calling.
Blake Miller
Treasurer
Blake Miller (he/him) grew up as a Mennonite pastor's kid and missionary kid in Turkey before finishing high school in Goshen, Indiana. After receiving a degree in social work, he held administrative social work roles at a nonprofit providing housing and services to seniors. Blake is currently pursuing his Master's in Social Work from The Ohio State University. Blake is a member of Columbus Mennonite Church in Columbus, Ohio where he lives with his husband, Brendan, and rescue pup, Korva. Together, they enjoy travelling internationally and are working towards visiting all US National Parks.
Kate Becker
Secretary
Kate Becker (she/her) grew up at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton, KS and currently resides in Washington DC. She received degrees in physics and math from Bethel College, a master of arts in theological studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and a master of arts in international science and technology policy from George Washington University. She has held positions at the Kansas Cosmosphere and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and currently serves as the Executive Officer for NASA's Earth Science Division. Contributing as a member of close-knit, high-functioning teams is her driving motivation.
Devin Dixon-Rosario
Board Member
Devin Dixon Rosario (he/him) was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he has been a part of Harrisburg First Church of The Brethren since he was 8 years old. Over the past two years, Devin has worked as the Office Manager for Harrisburg First Church and the LGBTQ+ Justice Intern for On Earth Peace. More recently, Devin has accepted the position of Ministries Director for bcmPEACE and the Anti-Racism/Anti-Opression fellowship for On Earth Peace. Through his internship, Devin is grateful for the lifelong connections he has made with churches and organizations such as the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ+ interests where he has now joined the board! Finding a passion for ministry, he is committed to being a continuous learner and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the church and beyond. Currently, Devin is completing the last semester of his associate's degree in Business with plans to pursue his bachelor's degree in Psychology later this year.
Irvin Heishman​
Board Member
Irvin Heishman (he/him) has been on an adventure of faith that began with his early spiritual formation in the Mennonite Church and continues in the joy of serving as co-pastor of the West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, OH. His journey includes walking with the First Church of the Brethren (Harrisburg, PA) as it reimagined and transformed itself into a vibrant multicultural congregation and as it developed Brethren Housing Association, a non-profit serving homeless women and children. He learned to speak Spanish while serving as a mission coordinator for eight years in the Dominican Republic. His current congregation walked with him as he came out as gay later in life while at the same time embracing its identity as a multilingual and affirming congregation. Irv’s family, including his two adorable grandchildren, live in Virginia.
Gabriel Padilla
Board Member
Gabriel Padilla (he/him/el) was born, raised and resides in Wichita, KS where he is a member of the Wichita First Church of the Brethren. He began going to the McPherson Church of the Brethren as a Freshman in college after hearing the church was becoming open and affirming. Through the church's transition, Gabriel also came out as transgender in 2013, and was welcomed with open arms to both churches. Gabriel is a Mathematics teacher at Wichita West High School where he has been for 9 years. Making all students feel welcome and heard is what his goal is in life. He is also an advocate at local and state level, whether it is speaking at city council meetings, board of education meetings, the Kansas Legislature, Kansas Board of Education fighting for LGBTQ folks, educators and students.