An Interview with the Rosenbergs

Pete Menconi

 

Aging in America is changing dramatically. In the past 100 years, about 30 years has been added to the life expectancy of the average American. These additional years have disrupted the retirement plans of millions of older adults. But with the new challenges of greater longevity also comes new opportunities.

Len and Mary Jo Rosenberg are a couple who seized the opportunities that more years offered. For many years Len worked as a corporate architect on major projects throughout the U.S. and the world while Mary Jo concentrated on raising their three children. While not raised in active Christian homes (Len’s family was Orthodox Jewish and Mary Jo’s mainline Christian), both made adult decisions to follow Jesus Christ and it radically changed their lives.

 

In their late 50’s, as Len’s career as an architect began to wind down, he and Mary Jo began to pray for God’s guidance about what was next. As they listened and paid attention, God led them one step at a time. Their longstanding interest in international students led to ministry with International Students, Inc. both in their native New York and in their new home state Colorado. But there were more steps to come.

As they continued to pray, it became apparent that God wanted to use Len’s architectural skills and Mary Jo’s discipleship gifts to further his kingdom around the world. One of the Bible verses that meant much to them as they waited for God’s direction was Isaiah 46:4: Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

In 1997 the seeds of Ministry Architecture, Inc. were planted and began to grow. The following mission statement is the foundation upon which Ministry Architecture has grown: “Prompted by God, with guidance from the Holy Spirit, we offer expert, practical, non-profit, architectural, engineering and planning services to evangelical ministries in developing nations who need physical facilities to help share the love of Jesus Christ.”

First it was Haiti, then India and Turkey, where Len had the opportunity to design buildings that would enhance the local ministry activities. Many countries and projects have followed as Len and Mary Jo have worked and ministered in over 23 countries. Many of these countries are in rugged, out-of-the-way places with some locales being hostile to Christ followers. As Len works with architects, engineers and other professionals in designing ministry buildings, Mary Jo uses her gifts of evangelism and discipleship to bring the love and light of Jesus Christ to many locals.

In addition, the impact of Ministry Architecture has spread to their family. (Their son Joel is a best-selling author of biblically inspired novels, the latest entitled Implosion.) Since Ministry Architecture provides its services at no cost to other ministries, Joel assists his parents in raising funds to carry on this vital work.

Now, though in their 70’s, Len and Mary Jo have no plans of slowing down. They believe that we do not “retire” as Christians. Instead, God calls all of his children to lifelong ministry and service. Instead of going off to the first tee or a retirement community, Len and Mary Jo have chosen “rewirement” over retirement. As a follower of Jesus Christ, how are you planning on using the remaining years God has given you?

 

Pete Menconi is the author of The Intergenerational Church: Understanding Congregations from WWII to www.com. He has written several other articles and Bible studies, served as the outreach pastor at Greenwood Community Church in Denver, CO, and is currently on the board for The CASA Network.

For more information about the Rosenbergs and Ministry Architecture, go to their website at www.ministryarchitecture.com.