Discover compelling stories of faith, hope, and resilience from across Christian traditions
MOSAIC: An Ecumenical Storytelling Initiative stands at the heart of the NCC’s mission – uniquely weaving together ecumenism, advocacy, and action. Through the power of story, MOSAIC invites and inspires people of faith to live out a vibrant Christian witness that leads to meaningful engagement and transformative social change.
A mosaic is a piece of art made by arranging small colored pieces—stones, tiles, or glass—into a pattern or image. Each piece may be different, but together they tell a story.
The National Council of Churches (NCC) was born from diverse communions; when we come together, our visible unity creates a vibrant, living story.
Stories are an irreducible human need. They foster mutual concern, belonging, and shared purpose rooted in Christian principles and the redemptive love of God.
MOSAIC is an innovative project using storytelling to move beyond theological, cultural, social, and political barriers.
Help people discover God’s love and promise of eternal life
Bring hope for themselves and others
Find ways to serve neighbors near and far
Experience connection and community
Launch MOSAIC by commemorating NCC’s history of direct action and its role in shaping social change. This first year focuses on telling the stories of NCC’s founding, formation, function, flourishing, and future during the 75th Anniversary celebration.
Lift up stories of everyday people putting faith into practice.
Focus on how faith fosters belonging, healing, and inclusion.
Center narratives of resilience, perseverance, and hope.
Look ahead to what faith communities are building for generations to come.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie serves as the President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, where she provides visionary leadership to unite Christian communions in advocacy, justice, and visible unity. As Founding Executive Director of the MOSAIC Storytelling Initiative, she brings her passion for faith, community, and storytelling to inspire connection, transformation, and collective action across the NCC’s 37 member communions.
The Rev. Dr. Sushama Austin-Connor is the Program Director for the MOSAIC Storytelling Initiative at the National Council of Churches. A longtime leader in continuing education and public ministry, she has served as Chief Program Officer and Acting Executive Director at Faith Matters Network and as Founding Program Director of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. Earlier in her career, Sushama was a documentary filmmaker—an experience that continues to inspire her commitment to amplifying diverse voices and stories of faith. She is passionate about clergy and leader care, faith-based social justice, and community transformation, and also serves as chaplain at the Christina Seix Academy in Trenton, NJ. Sushama treasures life with her husband, Rob, and their two sons, Lekh and Rowan.
Malesha (aka Mali Irene) Taylor is a vocal artist, TEDx Speaker, liberatory strategist, and producer who is excited to be a part of the NCC’s Mosaic Storytelling Initiative. She joins the Mosaic team with over 20 years of experience in arts and cultural planning, curation, and higher education.
She also served as Producer and Partnership Development Director with Sema Films, a faith-based film company serving progressive and justice-centered nonprofit organizations. Mali is the proud mother of three children and a member of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Matthew Markay is the Project Coordinator for the National Council of Churches in Washington, D.C., and the Production Coordinator for the MOSAIC Storytelling Initiative. He is passionate about bringing people of faith together to engage in advocacy and civic action, amplifying their voices on issues of justice.
A summa cum laude graduate of American University, Matthew is active in Christian student leadership and loves cooking, spending time with loved ones, and exploring the outdoors.
