View source for Mosemann, John H. (1907-1989)

John H Mosemann, Mennonite missionary, administrator, teacher, and pastor, was born 6 August 1907 at Lancaster, [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]] the fifth child of [[Mosemann, John Heer (1877-1938)|Bishop John and Lillie S. Forry Mosemann]].

In 1932 he graduated from Elizabethtown College and married (20 November) Ruth Landis Histand, of [[Doylestown (Pennsylvania, USA)|Doylestown]], Pennsylvania. On 19 April 1933, he was ordained to the ministry at[[Mellinger Mennonite Church (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA)|Mellinger Mennonite Church]] by [[Mack, Noah H. (1861-1948)|Bishop Noah H. Mack]], and in 1934 he and Ruth (along with [[Stauffer, Elam (1899-1981)|Elam and Elizabeth Stauffer]]) arrived in Tanganyika Territory (later [[Tanzania, United Republic of|Tanzania]]) as the first missionaries sent to Africa by the [[Eastern Mennonite Missions (Lancaster Mennonite Conference)|Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities]] ([[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church]]). The Mosemanns served at Shirati, 1934-1939. Due to health problems they were unable to return to the field after their furlough.

Mosemann worked in [[Civilian Public Service|Civilian Public Service]] administration (1941-1943) at Grottoes, VA and [[Akron (Pennsylvania, USA)|Akron, PA]]. He graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (BD, 1945) and from Princeton Theological Seminary (ThM, 1948). From 1946 to 1955 he taught at [[Goshen Biblical Seminary (Goshen, Indiana, USA)|Goshen College Biblical Seminary]].

Mosemann served as pastor (1947-1950) of [[Yellow Creek Mennonite Church (Harrison Township, Elkhart County, Indiana, USA)|Yellow Creek Mennonite Church]] near [[Goshen (Indiana, USA)|Goshen]], [[Indiana (USA)|Indiana]], and of the College Mennonite Church in [[Goshen (Indiana, USA)|Goshen]] (1950-1975). In 1945 he became a member of the [[Mennonite Board of Missions (Mennonite Church)|Mennonite Board of Missions]], and from 1948 to 1971 was its President. He was also president (1976-1979) of the [[Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference]] (MC).  

John Mosemann died in Goshen, IN on 25 February 1989. He was buried at the Violett [[Cemeteries|cemetery]].
= Bibliography =
Anchak, George R. "An Experience in the Paradox of Indigenous Church Building: A History of the Eastern Mennonite Mission in Tanganyika, 1934-1961<em>." </em>Thesis, 1975, available from University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 57-116, 311-12.

Hess, Mahlon. <em>Pilgrimage of Faith: Tanzania Mennonite Church</em><em>. </em>1934-83. Salunga, PA: EMBMC, 1985: 30-35.

Mosemann, John H. and Ruth H. <em>The Descendants of Jacob </em><em>and Magdalena Frey Mosemann. </em>1978: 79.

"Mosemann, John H." <em>Gospel Herald </em>82 (11 April 1989). Reproduced in MennObits. "Gospel Herald Obituary - April 1989." Accessed 16 April 2006. &lt;[http://www.mcusa-archives.org/MennObits/89/apr1989.html http://www.mcusa-archives.org/MennObits/89/apr1989.html]&gt;

Troyer, Anabelle. "The History of the African Mennonite Church." pp. 6-17, Mennonite History term paper, copy at MHL (Goshen).

Warkentin, A. and Melvin Gingerich, compilers. <em>Who's Who Among the Mennonites.</em> North Newton, KS: Bethel College, 1943: 174-75.

Wenger, John C. <em>The Mennonites in </em><em>Indiana</em><em> and Michigan. </em>Scottdale, 1961: 312-13.
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