Aaron Box appointed as national director for U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

The USMB Leadership Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Box, a USMB pastor from Eugene, Ore., as the new national director of the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, effectively July 1, 2024. Box is poised to lead the conference into a new era of ministry, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership and a deep commitment to the Confession of Faith and mission of USMB.

Box has served as senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene since 2011 and has more than 20 years of experience leading in ministry positions. He began his ministry career as a youth pastor in Darmstadt, Germany, later serving as youth pastor, then interim lead pastor, at Seaside (Ore.) Christian Church. From 2010-2011, he was project manager for Stadia Church Systems in Akron, Ohio, where he coached and assisted church planters. He was a co-founding pastor of Restore Community Church in Sterling, Va.

Box also has extensive volunteer experience, serving on the USMB Leadership Board from 2014-2022 and in various positions in his local community. He serves as an executive committee member of Harlow Neighbors Association from 2012-2023, engaging business, civic, church, and non-profit leaders to build a coalition to address child food insecurity. He received national recognition for neighborhood revitalization and community action in 2013.

In his new role, Box will oversee the strategic implementation of the three USMB core commitments, working together with congregations, pastors, and leaders around the country to further the conference’s mission of church multiplication, disciple-making and leadership development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Aaron Box as our new national director,” says Boris Borisov, chair of the Leadership Board search committee. “Aaron’s passion for serving others, coupled with his pastoral and leadership experience, make him an ideal candidate to lead our conference forward. We are confident under his guidance, the USMB Conference will continue to thrive and proclaim the kingdom of God in communities across the globe.

Box says, “I am deeply honoured and humbled to serve as the national director of the USMB Conference. I am excited to work alongside our dedicated pastors, leaders, and churches as we grow in our effectiveness in living out our mission of proclaiming Christ and embodying his love in the world. Together, I am confident that we will see God accomplish great things through us.”

Box earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible/Theology and Youth Ministry from Multnomah University in 1999 and a Master of Business Administration with a management concentration from Bushnell University in 2022. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and reside in Eugene.

Box succeeds Don Morris, who has served as national director since 2014 and will retire after Gathering 2024 this July. Morris and Box will work together for one month to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Box will be officially introduced at USMB Gathering 2024 in Omaha, Neb., July 23-27.