About | urbanworkersretreat.com

About UWR

Urban Workers Retreat has existed for over 20 years. We purpose to help youth workers find closer relationship to Jesus during this weekend so that we are able to love others as Christ has loved us. We do this by calling on a veteran in urban ministry every year to come and instruct us.

We also hope to enable youth workers with the necessary tools and information that will take their interactions to the next level. UWR is a way to invest in becoming more knowledgeable and prepared for incoming situations and burdens that need to be helped with at home. We do this by calling in workshop leaders to share in smaller sessions throughout the week.

The retreat takes place this year on April 17th-19th, and registration is open! We would love to see you and 50 of your closest friends.

Meet the uwr Board

Keeshon Washington

Keeshon Washington is a mentor, public speaker, writer, and Dispatcher in the City of York, Pa. He has been teaching in kids clubs and engaging in one-on-one discipleship since he was 13 years old. He desires to see better connection between the various Anabaptist missions in urban settings. In light of this, he takes a deep interest in ministries beyond his hometown of York.

Manny & Janessa Mercado – Pastoral Advisor

Emmanuel (Manny) Mercado, along with his wife Janessa Mercado live in the City of Reading and have been serving on the committee since 2018. Manny and Janessa have a passion for outreach, currently focusing on the youth that attend Shiloh Mennonite Church. They love hosting people at their home and have a personal goal to make it a safe place where anyone can join in on the everyday-life-happenings. A goal they have for UYWR is to encourage, excite, and send(it) disciples to faithfully sow into the lives of others!

Jason Weaver

Jason Weaver is the Middle & High School Principal at Way of Jesus Academy in Lancaster, PA. He joined the board in 2021. He has lived in Lancaster since 2011 and has been involved in youth ministry with Way of Jesus Ministries for over 15 years. He loves to hang out with young guys and mentor them as they follow Christ. He desires to see more people move into the communities that they are ministering to. He is excited about the vision of UWR and is excited to see it continue networking ministries together.

Stephen Lapp – Chairman

Stephen Lapp and his wife MaryBeth live in the small town of Romney, WV, where they look for ways to serve and learn from the people around them. Having both grown up in rural settings, the switch to a (somewhat) urban life seemed big, but the town life has quickly taken a majority share in their hearts since they started their journey together in Romney in 2020. They view it as an immense opportunity to be involved in UWR, an event that equips and encourages Believers for Kingdom work in urban areas.

Isaiah Marte

I’m from Brooklyn, New York and have grown up attending urban schools. I’m currently serving the school I’ve previously attended (FJS) as a board member and I look forward to hearing and sharing my experiences with those interested in urban education

Josh Miller

Josh is passionate about Anabaptist people living, working, and doing church and missions in urban areas. He has lived in Canton Ohio for the past nine years, and has been working with a kids’ ministry called Canton Cross Club for the past eleven years. For the last four years he has been helping to build a small Anabaptist church plant called Canton Anabaptist Church in Canton Ohio. He loves the encouragement and networking that happens at UWR for the small but growing community of urban Anabaptist missionaries.

Yisrael & Wendy Warren

Yisrael, Wendy and their son live in Sullivan, Illinois and are the program directors for the House of Ruth (a program that gives single mothers an opportunity to rebuild their lives in a Christian community environment) for Project 61. Yisrael grew up in a family that lived in a variety of residential settings and out of that was born a love for people and the many different ways they reflect God’s image. His wife Wendy grew up in the city of York and is a “city girl” at heart. Together, they find joy in experiencing different cultures and seeing people grow into who God has uniquely created them to be. When not busy with other responsibilities, the Warrens enjoy getting outside, playing pickleball, hanging out with friends and family.

Affiliate Ministries

Mission Training Center (NY)

Followers of Jesus (NY)

Tidings of Peace Christian School (PA)

Urban Lighthouse (PA)

Urban Mennonite Missions (PA)

Cornerstone Ministries (IN)

Destinations International

Olive Branch Mennonite Missions

Heart to Heart Ministries (PA)

Jesus and Me Ministries (WV)

Way of Jesus Academy (PA)

Reach 10.14 (ON)

Canton Cross Club (OH)

C2C Ministry (VA)

Pathways Ministries (IL)

Fairview Christian School (PA)

Shiloh Mennonite (PA)

AllStar Outreach (PA)

Institute for Global Opportunities

Sixth Street Mennonite Missions (PA)

Meadville Mennonite Kids Club (PA)

Ann Hope Childrens Church (SC)