Leonard and Veva Hershberger Garber Church Leadership Endowment

Leonard and Veva Garber have seen God at work in their lives, leading them across the country for various opportunities to use their gifts.  The purpose of the Garber Church Leadership Scholarship is to support Goshen College students as they explore church vocations and ministry and encourage their openness to a sense of God’s call in their lives as well.  “We see the shortage of persons inspired and interested in serving the church with their leadership gifts,” Leonard said.  “The Ministry Inquiry Program gives students the opportunity to test, cultivate, and practice a call already in the process of formation.  This is a good way to enhance the personal call to Christian service.”

Veva Hershberger grew up in Milford, Nebraska as the third of ten children.  Her father, a deacon in the church, lost the family farm during the Great Depression and moved to North Dakota to farm.  While there, Veva and several of her siblings attended Hesston College Winter Bible Terms.

Leonard grew up in Idaho where his father served as Mennonite pastor and bishop.  He attended Hesston Academy for two years during which time he met Veva.  They were married in 1944 and lived in Nampa, Idaho where they farmed and were active in Nampa Mennonite Church.

The Garber’s interest in supporting God’s call in others comes because of their own sense of call to church ministry.  The years they spent farming Veva describes as “Enjoyable but not entirely fulfilling because I always felt we were called to do more.”  In 1951 Leonard received a call to pastor Sharon Mennonite Church in Winton, California.  After an Idaho ordination, the Garbers sold all they had and moved to Winton where they pastored and supported their family of four daughters by farming sweet potatoes and almonds.  In 1958 the family moved to Kansas for Leonard to complete his AA degree at Hesston College – and in 1966 from Goshen College.

The Garbers continued to follow the Lord’s call, pastoring at Sycamore Grove in Garden City, MO, Sunnyside Mennonite in Elkhart, IN, and Stoner Heights Mennonite Church in Louisville, OH.  Between pastorates, Leonard worked for ten years with Mennonite Board of Missions.  In retirement the Garbers served interim pastorates in Grand Junction, CO, West Liberty and Berlin, OH, and Goshen, IN.

The Garber’s believe that Mennonite higher education plays an important part in the Church’s vitality and growth.  All four daughters attended Hesston College and three graduated from Goshen.  The Garber Scholarship is another way to encourage Mennonite education while offering young persons an opportunity to hear God’s call and claim upon their lives.