Tributes

Homegoing Celebration for Rev. John Wesley Mosley Jr. Rev. John Wesley Mosley Jr., Associate Staff with Navigators Disciplemakers for Life (D4L), passed into the presence of the Lord whom he loved and faithfully served on May 17, 2026, following several difficult months of hospitalizations and rehabilitation placements. He was 82 years old. Born on August 1, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, “Brother John,” as he was affectionately known among his Navigator colleagues, was a lifelong resident of Philadelphia. He was the beloved son of John Wesley Mosley Sr. and Mamie Oliver Mosley. From an early age, John demonstrated a deep love for learning, faith, and service to others. He graduated from Germantown High School in 1961 and from Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1965. He later completed additional studies in public policy administration at Cheyney State College. In 1968, John enrolled at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he focused on intensive discipleship and church administration. Two years later, his broad experience and educational commitment inspired the Ford Foundation to fund his tuition at the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed a Master of City and Regional Planning degree in 1973. Along the way, he served on the founding board of Westminster Theological Seminary’s Center for Urban Theological Studies. On October 15, 1977, John married his beloved wife, Berdenia Evelyn “Cookie” Stokes. Together they built a Christ-centered home and raised their children, John III and Rachel, while later helping nurture their cherished granddaughter, Raven. Their home was often filled with Bible studies, prayer gatherings, fellowship, and hospitality for church members, neighbors, and friends. Throughout his life, Rev. Mosley faithfully served both the city of Philadelphia and the Kingdom of God through leadership, ministry, advocacy, and compassionate service. From 1985 through 1988, Brother John served as a Development Officer in the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Community Services. With his interdisciplinary training, he was later hired as the lead urban research associate in a grant-funded pilot project of The Pew Charitable Trusts, evaluating the training and impact of the five theological seminaries in the Philadelphia region. That experience opened the door for his appointment as the first Executive Director of Philadelphia’s Black Clergy, Inc., where he led the formation of its social services arm, African American Interdenominational Ministries (AAIM), from 1990 through 1994. He launched AAIM in partnership with the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation directly across from Philadelphia City Hall. Although his extensive education and experience opened opportunities for highly visible leadership roles, John’s heart was always drawn to humble service. From 1994 through 1999, he served as Mid-Atlantic Area Manager for Promise Keepers. He later devoted a year as Senior Community Building Ambassador for The Hope Alliance, a federally funded faith-based partnership between The Salvation Army and the University of Pennsylvania. From 2003 through 2014, he faithfully served as Program Coordinator for Bethesda Project, ministering to men experiencing homelessness in central Philadelphia. For many years prior to becoming a Navigator Area Representative for Pennsylvania, John served as an ordained Associate Minister at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, one of the city’s most influential Black churches. In addition to preaching, teaching, and discipleship, he faithfully served in numerous ministries within the church community. He was Leader of E.R.E.C. (Educational Resources & Endowment Committee); served with the 2 Fish 5 Loaves Food Ministry alongside Min. Saundra Baldi under the prayer ministry leadership of Min. Cynthia Echewa; and served as Community Leader of the Life Connecting Teams Ministry, overseeing four groups and personally visiting each team monthly. Rev. Mosley also faithfully supported the Prayer Team Ministry under the leadership of Rev. Constance Gregory, participated in the Men’s Ministries led by Deacon Albert Blackstock, and was an active part of NETCARE. He also served numerous congregations and urban ministries as a consultant in financial and organizational development. Following the passing of Rev. Anderson, Associate Pastor of New Covenant Church, Rev. Mosley quietly stepped into a ministry of visitation, encouragement, and prayer for members who were sick and hospitalized. He became widely known throughout the congregation for his compassionate spirit and faithful intercession. Many church members fondly remember him stopping to remind them that he had not forgotten their concerns and was continuing to pray faithfully for them. John’s heart was deeply attuned to opportunities to advance the Gospel through ministry to men and through the power of collaborative prayer. He served on committees supporting the National Day of Prayer and faithfully led area groups within his church community. He consistently sought ways to connect believers who loved Jesus, trusted Scripture, and believed in the power of prayer. These qualities made him a natural fit for The Navigators. In 2005, John joined staff as a Navigator Representative in Church Ministries, helping host a major discipleship conference on the campus of New Covenant Church. With the emergence of the African American Network (AFAM), John became an active advocate and participant in national conferences while maintaining close relationships with fellow staff across the Philadelphia region. He faithfully attended monthly Navigator gatherings and prayed daily for ministry partners both locally and globally. In 2019, John transitioned from full-time staff ministry and continued serving as Associate Staff with D4L/Church Ministries. Though he joined The Navigators later in life, he passionately embraced The Navigators Calling, inspired by 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (NKJV) Beyond New Covenant Church, Rev. Mosley remained deeply connected to the broader Body of Christ. He was a member of the Delaware Valley Pastors Fellowship (DVPF) of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, and actively participated in ministries such as Promise Keepers, The Gospel Movement, and The Navigators. Throughout his life, he consistently sought to unite believers through discipleship, prayer, encouragement, and Gospel-centered fellowship. John is survived by his loving children, John Wesley Mosley III and Rachel Hudson; his cherished granddaughter, Raven; extended family members; devoted friends; brothers and sisters in Christ; and countless individuals whose lives were transformed through his wisdom, prayer, mentorship, and faithful service. He is now joyfully reunited with his beloved wife, Berdenia Evelyn “Cookie” Mosley, who preceded him in death on April 10, 2020. For the many thousands whose lives were touched by the grace of God through John’s life and ministry, his passing points hearts toward heaven. As Edwin Stanton said upon the passing of President Abraham Lincoln, “Now he belongs to the ages.” Rev. Mosley’s Homegoing Celebration will take place on: Saturday, June 13, 2026 Viewing – 9:00 a.m. Funeral Service – 10:00 a.m. New Covenant Church of Philadelphia 7500 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19119 (215) 247-7500 Burial will follow at 12:00 noon: Ivy Hill Cemetery 1201 Easton Road Philadelphia, PA 19150 Please continue to keep the Mosley family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of Rev. John Wesley Mosley Jr. and celebrate his extraordinary life of faith, leadership, discipleship, compassion, and service.

Tributes

Rev. John Wesley Mosley Jr.

August 1, 1943 - May 17, 2026