Pursuing a “New We”

Pursuing a “New We”

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

So much of our world is seen through the lens of “us vs. them”.  Politically it’s Democrats vs. Republicans.  Sometimes we line up along urban vs. suburban lines, or native-born Americans vs. immigrants. Or, the Chiefs vs. the Eagles!  In urban ministry, serving can not-so-subtly be understood as a privileged “us” serving a needy “them”.   

At Mission Adelante, we believe God is calling us to create a “new we”, where people from all places belong, thrive, and do great things together.  Instead of viewing the world as “us and them”, what if people from different nationalities, languages, cultures, and races were unified around our love for Jesus and for our neighbor? 

Of course, this sounds almost too good to be true -- even a bit idealistic in such a divided world.  Why is it so hard to live this out?  There’s no chance I can answer that question in a few more sentences.  However, it is happening at Mission Adelante!  We are seeing racial reconciliation as we pursue racial justice together.  We are seeing people from all places contributing with their gifts and talents as we make space for diverse leaders.  We are enjoying the richness that immigrants and refugees bring as we celebrate each other’s cultures.  And, as we worship Jesus together, we’re experiencing a taste of heaven as described in Revelation 7:9-10: 

“ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

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MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS

MARCH 6TH TO MARCH 9TH

Are you interested in taking the next step to volunteer? Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs.

This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

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Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us this trimester?

How can you help?

• Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.

• Volunteer – Come to one of our obseveration nights the first week of March. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

• Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
  

The Gift of Friendship Across Cultures

The Gift of Friendship Across Cultures

by Laina Willoughby, Volunteer at Refugee Youth Club

Four years ago when I first googled “volunteer opportunities with refugees in Kansas City” I didn’t know I was about to discover one of the best ways anyone can spend Tuesday evenings in our city. Over my time here, I’ve gotten to watch the growth of a program. But it’s been more than that. I’ve been inspired by watching how the leaders around me invest in their own community.

People like Phul Maya, Laxmi, and Ranjana willingly, graciously, and humbly taken on responsibilities within their Nepali community. They have (probably unknowingly) challenged me to search out opportunities to help those around me to flourish. My fellow volunteers in the Refugee Youth Club have shown me the value of inserting oneself into the lives of teens. We strive to be a stable loving influence that models and speaks of the power of the Gospel.

My favorite thing though, has been watching the young women of the Refugee Youth Club grow in the wisdom and stature of God and of man (Luke 2:52). They juggle their teenage years with one foot in Nepali culture, and another in KCK High Schools. As each of them have learned how to dance in and out of two worlds, I have been impressed by their grace and stamina. 

Through my time serving first with Refugee Kids Club, and then with Refugee Youth Club I received the gift of friendship across cultures and ages.

Thank you for your investment in our community, Laina!

Calling All Volunteers! 📣

Few activities do more to fan the flame of compassion and promote mutual understanding than serving in a relational volunteer role at a ministry like Mission Adelante. There is just something about investing time in building relationships and serving with people from other backgrounds that causes us to grow. It’s faith in practice. It’s seeing the God-given dignity in people from all places. It’s making a difference! The Mission Adelante community invites YOU to serve with us this summer!

Julie Strohmeier has been serving with Mission Adelante since 2007! It’s hard to measure the impact someone makes when they invest so many years in children from our community. Hear about Julie’s experience in her own words in this brief video above!

If you’re interested in jumping in with us for the summer, we’d love to have you join us for our Volunteer Orientation Seminar on Saturday, May 22nd from 9:00am to 12:30pm. Here you’ll get a deep dive into our mission, get to know our staff members and their stories, and be equipped to serve in one of our ministry programs for the summer. You can let us know you’re coming and indicate your area of interest by clicking the button below. We’re especially needing volunteers to help with our kids outreach program on Thursday afternoons and our Arts program on Monday evenings.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.