An Anabaptist Church on County Road 23
Pleasant View Church sits at 58529 County Road 23 in Goshen, Indiana, in the farmland of Elkhart County. The congregation describes itself as Evangelical Anabaptist and belongs to the Evana Network, a fellowship of like-minded churches that trace their spiritual ancestry to the sixteenth century Anabaptist movement. Pleasant View holds to the 1995 Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective while partnering with churches across North America through the Evana Network.
On Sundays the rhythm of the morning is unhurried. People begin gathering at 9:00 AM for hymn singing, move into small groups at 9:15, and gather for the main worship service at 10:30. After the service, the building stays busy through the afternoon with a youth group meeting in the multipurpose room at 5:00 PM. Pleasant View describes its purpose plainly: invite others to walk with the church on the journey of learning more about Jesus and reflecting his love for all.
What the Church Believes
Pleasant View organizes its teaching around three words: learn, live, and love. Members are encouraged to let all aspects of life be shaped by Jesus Christ, learning and living according to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
While Anabaptist churches have historically been described as non-creedal, Pleasant View uses the Nicene Creed as a framework for its basic Christian convictions. The church explains that the Creed, now more than 1,700 years old, still guides much of Christianity and gives shape to orthodox belief.
Through an Anabaptist lens, Pleasant View practices believer's baptism, emphasizes the separation of church and state, and follows Jesus through mutual aid, servant leadership, and peace. The church belongs to the Evana Network, a community of Evangelical Anabaptist churches that seek to follow Jesus faithfully, share the good news, and bring life and transformation to their communities.
Five theological core values guide decision making:
- Jesus is the center. Jesus is the foundation of what the church believes, says, and does (Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 1:16-20).
- The Bible is the starting point. Scripture reveals God the Father and directs how to live (Luke 24:26-28; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; Colossians 1:3-13).
- Joyfully share faith. Worship Jesus Christ and invite others to embrace the good news (Isaiah 52:7; Acts 5:42).
- See through an Anabaptist lens. Live differently than the world through mutual aid, servant leadership, and peace (Matthew 5-7; Matthew 25:31-46).
- Walk with others toward restoration. Healing of body, soul, and mind (Jeremiah 29:7; Isaiah 58:11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:16-18).
A Sunday Morning at Pleasant View
Visitors stepping into the lobby are met by a Connect Hub and a team of greeters ready to answer questions and point people in the right direction. The morning is built around three blocks of time.
At 9:00 AM the congregation gathers for hymn singing, and at 9:15 AM the small group hour begins. These Sunday morning groups, sometimes called PV Groups or Sunday school classes, meet for every age from nursery through adult. The adult PV Groups focus on discussing the most recent sermon message. A Starting Point class for newcomers meets in the worship center during the same hour.
At 10:30 AM the worship service begins. The service opens with music and prayer, followed by teaching from the Word and a song of response. After the service there is space for prayer and fellowship, and pastors are readily available to meet with anyone who has questions. The dress code is casual: flip flops and shorts sit alongside dress pants and suit jackets.
Bibles are available in the seats during worship and at the Welcome Center in the lobby, along with pens and additional information. Guests do not need to bring anything but themselves. The church office can be reached at plan-your-visit questions weekdays from 8:00 AM to noon at (574) 533-2872.
Children from Birth Through Fifth Grade
Pleasant View takes its ministry to children seriously. The church describes its commitment to the next generation as more than a program: it is about nurturing a lifelong relationship with God, encouraging curiosity and joy, and laying a foundation for spiritual development.
Sunday school classes meet during the 9:15 AM hour for every age from nursery through twelfth grade. Mary Jo Martin serves as Kids Coordinator and also as Primary Sunday School Superintendent, with Ingrid Kauffman leading the nursery team.
During the 10:30 AM worship service, PV Kids Church is offered for infants through fifth grade. Children check in any time after 10:15 AM and join a program designed as an alternative to the traditional service, where young hearts and minds can flourish while their parents participate in worship. The program needs five to eight volunteers each week, drawing on a pool of more than forty volunteers each month. Roles include greeters, tech helpers, check-in, group leaders for older and younger kids, and general helpers.
Children in third through fifth grade take part in SHINE (Serving Him IN Everything) activities every other month, putting faith into practice through service. Each fall the Bible Memory program runs from late August through September, with verse cards distributed and listeners and participants from PreK through high school taking part.
Students in Grades Six Through Twelve
Pleasant View Student Ministry, known as PVSM, is a separate strand of the church built for students in grades six through twelve. Students entering sixth grade are welcomed to youth group the Sunday before Labor Day.
Sunday mornings begin with student Sunday school from 9:15 to 10:15 AM. Then, every Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, students meet in the multipurpose room (gym) for PVSM. Doors open for free time - basketball, volleyball, cards, or just hanging out - until about 5:30 PM, followed by a structured game until 6:00 PM. After a snack, the evening shifts to worship and teaching. Once a month the Sunday evening takes the form of a fun event instead of a lesson.
During the school year, PVSM also meets on one Wednesday and one Thursday each month from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, with free time for sports, card games, or homework and the last half hour set aside for Bible study. Zane Zmudzinski directs student ministry. Safety measures include background checks for all leaders and volunteers, cameras throughout the campus, sign-in and sign-out procedures, locked doors thirty minutes after the start of youth group, and a phone locker so students can focus on meaningful connections.
Reaching the Deaf Community
American Sign Language interpreters are provided during the morning worship service. Interpreters are also available for other church activities on request - youth group, young adult meetings, and other events. The church hosts several Deaf Community events throughout the year, and during the summer an Activities Program for Deaf Children (APDC) brings deaf children together for their own programming. Tammy Aldridge coordinates the Deaf Community ministry.
Small Groups, Bible Memory, and Study
Small groups are central to life at Pleasant View. The Sunday morning PV Groups are organized into clusters meeting in the MPR, the Worship Center West, the MPR Stage, a prayer room, and a Cove area, with hosts ranging from young adults to empty nesters. Pastor Michael Zehr oversees PV Groups.
Outside the Sunday hour, adults gather in smaller clusters for Bible study, fellowship, and service. The Education Ministry Team, chaired by Rick Lengacher, oversees adult Sunday school, the library, and other learning ministries.
The annual Bible Memory program runs each fall. PreK through high school students work through a set of verses with the help of family and congregation members. Tonya Frey coordinates the program, and listeners as well as participants are needed.
For those wanting to dig deeper, the Bible Study Resources page recommends Bible Gateway and NetBible for online study, the Navigators' Topical Memory Program for Scripture memorization, and a small library of books on reading the Bible, church history, and Anabaptist/Mennonite history. The church's own library is staffed by volunteers and directed by Theda Mast, and an online catalog allows members to search the collection.
Outreach and Mission
Outreach at Pleasant View flows in several directions. Locally, the church partners with Jefferson Elementary School in Goshen, sending volunteers to read with students, serve as classroom helpers, assist with Learning Labs, or volunteer in the cafeteria. Volunteers commit to once a week or twice a month and complete an annual background check.
Behind the church-owned house on County Road 23, the Seed to Feed garden grows produce for the food relief work of Church Community Services. Gardeners meet Mondays after 6:00 PM, parking in the church lot and walking up the hill to the garden. The fellowship is intergenerational; all skill levels are welcome.
Each fall the church joins My Coins Count, a Mennonite Central Committee program that turns spare change into more than $600,000 a year for relief work around the world. Coin calendars are distributed in August, and collections run through late September.
Beyond Goshen, Pleasant View supports missionaries and global partnerships. The congregation has heard reports from a youth mission trip to Ecuador and regularly hosts Mission Moments highlighting partners such as the Santiago Partnership (Joel and Kim Delp) and Calvary Christian Mission in India (Reverend Balin Thambi Dhas and Jayamary). On the giving side, the church uses the Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale as one of its giving channels.
Sewing for Missions brings together volunteers to sew for mission projects, meeting at the church with a shared lunch. A Grief Support Group meets under the care of Marietta Stoltzfus, listening and supporting one another. Mom's Group creates space for mothers of babies through school-age kids to gather for playtime, chatting, and coffee. Senior Moments is a monthly lunch and program for seniors. An Hour of Prayer meets the second Tuesday of each month in the library.
The Connect Initiative
In 2026, Pleasant View launched The Connect Initiative, a three-year vision to expand the church's facilities and deepen its sense of connection. The church describes the work in three words: Build, Connect, Belong.
Four projects make up the initiative. The first is more spaces for groups: additional rooms so small groups, Bible studies, and ministry teams can meet and build deeper relationships. The second is a larger, more welcoming lobby area, expanding the welcome space so that guests feel noticed and valued from the moment they arrive. The third is expanded children and youth areas, enlarging and enhancing environments for kids and teens. The fourth is a community outreach component, with a portion of the funds directed to a project at Jefferson Elementary School to support children and families in Goshen.
The church frames the project in these words: every space built becomes an opportunity for someone to encounter Jesus. Members are invited to pray about their role, sign up for a Vision Gathering session to learn more, work through a Connect Initiative Devotional Guide alongside the sermon series, or partner financially through a designated Connect Giving page. Detailed building drawings are available for those who want to see the plans.
Serving Together
Volunteers form the backbone of the church's ministry. Pleasant View organizes service around nine ministry teams.
The Outreach Ministry Team imagines ways the church can serve locally and globally and is chaired by Drew Frey. The Kids Education Ministry Team recruits volunteers for nursery, Sunday school, PV Kids, SHINE, Bible Memory, and youth group. The Education Ministry Team, chaired by Rick Lengacher, covers adult Sunday school and the library. The Shepherding Ministry Team, chaired by Pastor Mark Snyder, finds ways to serve one another and the wider community. The Stewardship Ministry Team, chaired by Brad Stewart, supports the congregation in biblical stewardship, mutual aid, and related economic matters. The Fellowship Ministry Team, chaired by Jan Lengacher, plans events that foster connection. The Medical Team, led by Cindy Helmuth, is on call for potential medical issues on Sunday mornings. The Guest Relations Team welcomes guests through coffee ministry, ushers, greeters, and hosts. The Worship and Tech Team creates space for people to meet with God in song and sound. Finally, the Trustee Ministry Team, chaired by Eric Woolace, maintains the church building, grounds, and cemetery.
Pastoral Team and Leadership
Mark Snyder has served as lead pastor since February 2021, having previously pastored in Scarsdale, New York, for eight years. He and his wife Nicki are raising four children. Michael Zehr joined the staff as an interim pastor in August 2022 and is now the associate pastor. He and his wife Rebecca lived in Goshen early in their marriage and returned after nine years as missionaries in Key West, Florida. The Zehrs have two adult daughters.
Zane Zmudzinski joined the staff in August 2025 as Youth and Young Adults Director. Seth Windbigler came on as Tech Director in August 2026. Mary Jo Martin has served as Kids Coordinator since August 2024. Sarah Miller is the office manager, joining the staff in 2010 as youth director and moving into her current role in 2012.
A Leadership Board oversees the congregation. Kevin Nice serves as moderator (chair). Lisa Nussbaum is elder at large and representative to the Gifts Discernment Team. Jeff James and Bryan Kauffman serve as elders at large, with Kauffman also serving as secretary. Brad Stewart is the elder of stewardship. Joanna Woolace serves as lay shepherding member.
Music, Giving, and Facilities
Music at Pleasant View is contemporary. The worship team leads the congregation in songs selected each week; recent selections have included "I've Witnessed It," "Great Things," "His Mercy Is More," "What He's Done," and "Move Of God." Volunteers are needed for the worship team, sound board, slides, and the online mix, with each role accountable to either the Worship Director or the Tech Director.
The church teaches the biblical principles of tithes and offerings, encouraging generosity with time, talents, and possessions as well as money. Giving is available online through Vanco's GivePlus+, by text to 888-863-3443, or through the Vanco Mobile app.
The church building on County Road 23 is used for worship, education, and a wide range of community events. Facility request forms cover room reservations for church ministries, rentals for private events such as family gatherings or gym use, proposals for churchwide events that need staff involvement, and weddings. The Trustee Ministry maintains the building, grounds, and cemetery, while Church Work Days bring together volunteers of all skill levels for projects around the property. An online sermon archive holds recordings of past services, though the church is not currently broadcasting live.