Introducing Executive Council Moderator: Ben Cassels

“I love the Church and who God is calling us to be as a community of congregations together,” says Ben Cassels, MCEC Moderator. For the past 13 years, MCEC has become "home" for Ben, following a period of uncertainty when he wasn't sure where his "church home" was or if it even existed. Reflecting on his journey, Ben shares, “MCEC welcomed me, invested in me, and has nurtured my faith and call to ministry.”

Ben serves as the MCEC Moderator for the Executive Council. In addition to his leadership role within MCEC, he is also on the pastoral team as Pastor of Witness and Resourcing at Steinmann Mennonite Church in Baden, Ontario. He joined MCEC's Executive Council in a moderator-elect role in 2022. Reflecting on his decision, Ben shares, “Well thought through plans and practices – infused with a spirit of learning, practices of prayer, and being open to the unexpected movement of the Holy Spirit – are an important part of how we be this Church together. This led me to say ‘yes’ when asked to consider joining Executive Council.”

At this year’s Annual Church Gathering, MCEC introduced the Growing into the Future strategic plan, a development that has sparked excitement for Ben. “I’m excited by the direction this sets for MCEC. This plan emerges out of who we are and who we are sensing God’s Spirit is calling us to be," Ben shares. "In all of our wonderful diversity and complexity, this is ours together – and it charts an attainable, measurable, and actionable course.” He emphasized that the plan not only guides and focuses MCEC but also centres on the movement of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus, integrating them into the church’s present realities.

"Each congregation is called and led by the Holy Spirit to be the hands and feet of Jesus where they are."

In addition to his roles as MCEC’s moderator and pastor, Ben proudly embraces the title of a self-proclaimed “middle-aged Dad.” Outside of his church commitments, he finds joy in tending to the 19 varieties of tomatoes growing in his yard and honing his woodworking skills with power tools, crafting furniture and other wood projects. One of his more unique passions is his love for cheese—the more exotic, the better!

“I enjoy introducing someone to new cheeses or waxing poetic about the sweet-spot between the age of a cheddar and the price of a cheddar,” says Ben. For those curious, he shares that the sweet-spot is around 4-5 years before the "diminishing returns" on the price-to-sharpness ratio start to kick in. Good to know!

"My dream is that MCEC be a place where we are constantly drawing wider the circle of God’s love..."

Reflecting on the church, Ben expresses his deep conviction in the significance of the Mennonite-Anabaptist identity and practice, stating, “I believe deeply that our Mennonite-Anabaptist identity and practice is a powerful witness and timely welcome for our society at this moment. Each congregation is called and led by the Holy Spirit to be the hands and feet of Jesus where they are.”

As MCEC moves forward together, he shares his vision for the future: “My dream is that MCEC be a place where we are constantly drawing wider the circle of God’s love and inclusion, calling one another ever forward to continue to be God’s people on earth as in heaven.”