ADNet Board Member Appointed

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) announces the appointment of Vyron L. Schmidt of Goshen, Indiana, to the ADNet Board of Directors.  Schmidt, who was appointed at the Board's January 12, 2010 meeting, will serve a three-year term beginning February 1, 2010.  

Although Schmidt is new to the ADNet Board, he has been well acquainted with ADNet since its inception in 2002 through his former role with MMA (Mennonite Mutual Aid) as Vice-President of the Fraternal Division.  
    
As a former pastor at Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen and through his work at MMA, Schmidt brings to ADNet both a knowledge of the inner workings of congregational life as well as a broad picture of Mennonite churches throughout the country.  He also brings to the Board his knowledge and experience as a financial consultant and philanthropic adviser.  His current role with MMA is Mennonite Foundation and Trust Adviser.

Schmidt is a graduate of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) and also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary.  Vyron and his wife, Elvina, have lived in Goshen for 30 years and have three adult children and two grandchildren, all living on the West Coast.  

Reflecting on his appointment to the ADNet Board, Schmidt says, "I think ADNet provides a very important ministry in the church, helping us become more aware of the many accessibility issues encountered by fellow members.  It's a ministry that needs to grow and become more well known through use of its excellent resources."

Anabaptist Disabilities Network was incorporated in 2003 to carry on Mennonite advocacy work for persons with disabilities (including mental illness) that had earlier been a part of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and then MMA.  Continuing ADNet Board members are Jim Smith, Goshen, Indiana as President; Kevin Sauder, Archbold, Ohio as Vice-President; Sharon Beyer, Norristown, Pennsylvania, Secretary; Milt Stoltzfus, Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Treasurer; and Wilfred Martens, Fresno, California.