From Volunteers to Friends

From Volunteers to Friends

by Jill McDonald- Burger , Refugee ESL volunteer


My husband and I have volunteered with the Refugee ESL program at Mission Adelante for a couple of years now.  We began this journey in support of our daughter, Veronica Garcia, who was following her passions and accepted her dream job as ESL Education Director here.  What began as our passion to support her, became our own passion to connect and share life with new friends from many places.  These new friends are very near and dear to our heart!  Our desire to be a local support system to these new friends has blessed us more than we could ever imagine.  We have often welcomed them in our home, shared meals, helped with car problems, and prayed for each other continually. 

We have watched the students grow in knowledge, confidence, and strength.  We have laughed together so many times, I tear up just thinking about the joy they have brought to my life!  We have also hugged and cried together for a variety of reasons. It is good to have a shoulder to lean on and some words of encouragement when the challenges of life get heavy.

The skills we have acquired by loving people from all places, learning to listen to their stories, and understand their culture, have already been an asset to us in connecting with other people and making new friends. Understanding and respecting our differences is what makes us unique and interesting. This experience will bless us and others for years to come.  Thank you, Mission Adelante, for giving us a place to discover these joyful and wonderful connections!

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Arts Camp

ARTS CAMP

by Mikya Wright, Children Ministry Apprentice




	“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalms 139:14.


That was the theme of this year's Arts Camp because we believe wholeheartedly that every child is fearfully and wonderfully made! The Lord is faithful as always, and that was shown time and time again during our Arts Camp last week.

This past Monday through Thursday our building was so full of excitement and laughter! We welcomed over 100 kids through our doors, and over 20 volunteers helped pull this huge event together. I am beyond grateful for the generosity and the love shown by our amazing volunteers who took time out of their super busy schedules to come serve with us! We had awesome community presenters come and share with the kids about the different arts. We had Caroline from Epic Clay Studio share about pottery, and Liz from UMKC came and played the flute for the kids, and even made up a song with their help!

We had 11 classes - arts & crafts, crochet, jewelry, sports, keyboard, guitar, keyboard, dance, theater, cooking, and candlemaking. The kids had a blast learning new skills and developing friendships with other students and teachers! On top of all the fun, the week went so smoothly and everyone stayed safe, which is just as important to us as the fun times. On the last day, we had a water party to celebrate! We had two waterslides, a dunk tank, face painting, lots of food, and a huge water balloon fight to end the week!

I want to say a huge, huge thank you to Carla Garcia, Patrique Harris, Erick Flores, and the interns! Carla and I have been planning Arts Camp 2024 since last year, and I truly would not have been able to lead last week without all of her guidance and support. She has been the best mentor and supervisor that I could have ever asked for, and she has empowered me to be the best version of myself.

Patrique has also been one of my mentors since I did the summer internship three years ago! She supported me so much during camp, as she does every day! And, she taught her dance class the Wacky Dip which was so fun to watch. I have known Erick for a while because we both went to the Teens Program back in the day! He started working as an apprentice a few weeks ago, so we have partnered very closely with the interns leading various programs. He was a fantastic co-leader! Even though this was his first Arts Camp, he dove right in and didn’t hesitate to do what needed to be done. He goes above and beyond for the kids here at MA, and I can already tell how deeply he cares for each of the kids here.

Lastly, thank you to our amazing summer interns, Eli, Sonia, Unisha, and Keziah! They got to camp early and stayed late, and they went the extra mile the whole week to make everything go as smoothly and as fun as possible. It has been a full summer for them, but they never cease to show up with the most energy in the room, ready to serve our community! Carla, Patrique, Erick, and the interns - I love you all so dearly and am overwhelmed by how much you all mean to me!

I think it is safe to say that Arts Camp 2024 was a success! As I was walking a few kids home after the first day, I asked them how their day was, and the 6-year-old boy, whose family just moved to KC as refugees said, “It. was. perfect.” And I can’t help but agree! Thank you to all the kids, volunteers, and staff for making Arts Camp perfect!!

BE PART OF OUR PROGRAMS!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Expecting the Unexpected: Welcoming Refugees with Mission Adelante

Expecting the Unexpected: Welcoming Refugees with Mission Adelante

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

When Jarrett reached out to me about 18 months ago with the idea of opening a resettlement agency at Mission Adelante in partnership with World Relief, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  When we got our first assurances in November of 2023,  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  And when our first arrivals made it to Kansas City in January of 2024, I still wasn’t sure what to expect. We have now welcomed 51 individuals from 23 cases to Kansas City, and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected.  

We have seen many unexpected hard things, from difficulties securing apartments, and first jobs.  Influxes of many cases at the same time, to having a hard time finding interpreters for minority languages.  We’ve had folks who have health problems and clients displaced by an apartment fire.  We’ve walked with folks as they’ve learned that America isn’t always like what they’ve seen in the movies, as they’ve been shaken by cultural changes and had to face past traumas head-on. 

But with the unexpected hard has been the unexpected good. With the addition of KSOR grants came the addition of many new team members.  We have seen relationships and friendships formed with volunteers and community members.  We’ve met some great landlords who want to see new Americans thrive. We’ve seen job placements with a starting wage of around $17 an hour!  We’ve seen hugs and smiles as clients settle in and move on from having intensive needs but come back to pay us a visit or bring us some empanadas. We’ve met new people and extended a warm welcome to 51 people from all OVER the world!  

If I had to summarize my time so far back with Mission Adelante, it would be to expect the unexpected. It’s a wild ride, but it is beautiful. The great news is, that we’ve got plenty of room on this wild ride!  We are looking to add volunteers to our Good Neighbor Teams and English classes.  We are also looking for landlords and employers to grow our networks with. If you would like to come along with us, please reach out! 

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

The Journey of Emigrating: My Personal Transformation

the inner Journey of Emigrating: My Personal Transformation

by Yanelis Lopez, CMA Director


Emigrating to another country has been one of the most profound and transformative experiences of my life. This journey has not only involved a change of residence but also an inner voyage that has led me to discover new facets of myself and even reevaluate my identity. It has been a process filled with challenges and revelations that have made me someone different. Because, of course, emigrating changes you and transforms your soul; in my case, it has been a liberating journey.

Leaving my homeland, my family, and friends was an extremely difficult decision. I vividly remember the day I packed my belongings, leaving behind everything that had previously come naturally to me to embark on the unknown. However, this detachment also led me to deeply value my roots and understand the importance of the connections I left behind.

Upon arriving in the US, I began to hear the word resilience very frequently... and it became a word that resonated deeply with me, describing the aftermath of the profound change faced by those who emigrate. Arriving in a new country was like starting from scratch. Learning a new language, adapting to different customs and social norms, and finding my place in a foreign community were challenges that tested my resilience. There were moments of frustration and loneliness, but each obstacle overcome taught me to be more flexible and to face the unknown courageously. Resilience became a constant companion on this journey.

As I navigated through these challenges, I began to discover internal strengths that I was unaware of. The ability to creatively solve problems, the courage to confront the unknown, and the perseverance to move forward despite obstacles were revealed and strengthened during this process. These experiences boosted my self-esteem and made me aware of my ability to adapt and thrive in adverse circumstances.

Emigrating allowed me to reconstruct and redefine my identity. Interacting with a new culture and integrating aspects of it with my own heritage led me to create a hybrid identity. This new perspective enriched my worldview and allowed me to appreciate cultural diversity in a deeper way. I became a more complex and complete version of myself.

Seeking belonging in a new community was an essential part of my migration experience. Building meaningful relationships and finding a sense of community was not easy, but each connection I made offered me support and a sense of home in my new environment. The support from my new friends helped me establish a stable emotional foundation in my new life.

Migration also led me to deeper reflection on my purpose in life and my faith. The challenges and distance from the familiar prompted me to seek deeper comfort and guidance in Jesus. He became an even more constant source of strength and hope during difficult times, providing me with a solid foundation on which to build my new life.

Emigrating has been an inward journey full of self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth. Not only did I rebuild my life in a new country, but I also rebuilt myself. Emigrating has transformed me, and I am deeply grateful.

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Adelante Arts Camp 2024

Adelante Arts Camp 2024

by Carla Garcia, Kids Ministry Director


It is that time of year again! Summer is here: the sun is shining, the AC is blasting, and at Mission Adelante the summer activities are well underway. We have been planning for this summer for a few months now and it is great to finally be able to see those plans come to fruition! From a crazy, fun car wash to weekly learning and joy at our kids and youth programs, it has already been an exciting summer. Adelante Arts Camp 2024 is the next big event on our radar! 

This year Adelante Arts Camp is from Monday, July 8th to Thursday, July 11th. Our apprentices, Mikya Wright and Erick Flores, will be solely leading this year’s camp. It will be exciting for them to use their leadership skills and God-given gifts and talents to lead our volunteers and campers. We have increased the number of classes we are offering this year to 11! We have cooking, theater, arts and crafts, sports, candlemaking, and much more. The camp will take place from 10am to 2pm each day and breakfast and lunch will be for each camper. We are excited to announce that we will have a delicious cookout and a water carnival on our last day of camp! 

None of this would be possible without the help and generosity of our amazing volunteers and donors! People from all over the city, representing different churches and organizations, are eager to join hands with us in this summer adventure. It has been magnificent to see how God is working through others to bless the kids in our community. Thank you to all those who have been a part of this journey to ensure our kids have an amazing time at Adelante Arts Camp 2024. 

Here are a few ways you can join hands with us this summer:

  • If you are interested in having your child join us for Adelante Arts Camp 2024, please use the QR code below to register. We still have spots availble in many of our classes and all kids ages 5-15, from all around our city are welcome to join!

  • If you would like to join in on the fun and volunteer at Adelante Arts Camp 2024, please contact Mikya Wright at mikyaw@missionadelante.org. We are currently in need of volunteers to help out with breakfast/lunch and help lead our classes.

  • Check out our Amazon wishlist and help us obtain everything we need for camp this year: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KW85AOL2T13K?ref_=wl_share

  • Pray for the safety of our kids and volunteers, that our camp will be a place for all to enjoy and learn, and that we are prepared and ready come July 8th

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11

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: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Bees, Ministry, and Leadership

Bees, Ministry, and Leadership

By Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director




Keeping bees and ministry can be very similar. We nurture and invest time in both because we know it's worth it, and we can bear fruit one day.

Watch this video to learn more and discover how you can be part of our leadership development at Mission Adelante.

Would you consider investing with us in making an impact that ripples forward to eternity?  To donate, please visit www.missionadelante.org/infinity2024 or click the donate button below.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11

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/serve

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

An Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships

Good Neighbor Teams…an Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships

By Amy Herman, Reception and Placement Director



I joined the Mission Adelante staff just three short months ago and have already had the amazing privilege of meeting many new friends from at least 11 different countries!  Everyday I find myself wondering what it must be like to be a stranger in a strange land?  To be forced to leave everything and everyone you know, to start over, sometimes at a moment’s notice?  

I have enjoyed welcoming our new friends to K.C., and helping them learn about American culture. It has been a mutual learning experience of learning about their culture, learning words in new languages, drinking some delicious tea from Afghanistan and even some Injera bread, a staple in Eritrea.  

Right here in Kansas City, refugees and other immigrants in the United States are in need of people like you:  local community members who will welcome and help them navigate new challenges as they seek to rebuild their lives in the U.S.  We call these teams, Good Neighbor Teams. GNT’s are matched with refugees and commit to walking alongside newcomers for the first 6-12 months, with the goal that each refugee who arrives to the U.S. will feel the warm welcome of his/her local community.  

When asked why she participates on a GNT, Kristin Cooke says, “ Involving our whole family on a Good Neighbor Team is so special not only because our kids learn about helping others, but the bond children can make instantly is truly a gift from God”.  

Would you and your friends, family, church, or business, be interested in connecting with a refugee family?  We are looking for teams of 6-8 who would like the opportunity to steward long-term reciprocal relationships.  This could look like many different things, but spending time together, learning from one another,  supporting, and empowering the newcomers as they learn to navigate and make a home here is so important to the role Good Neighbor Teams play.  This could include airport pick-up, rides to appointments, housing set up, homework and school navigation, and more.  If you are interested in participating in a Good Neighbor Team, but don’t have a full team to serve with, we will try to connect you with others in a similar situation to form a full GNT.   Contact me at randpdirector@missionadelante.org if you are interested. 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11

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

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Our Leadership Development

Our Leadership Development

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director



Mission Adelante is beaming with young, talented leaders from all places using their gifts together to build our community. I am so blessed to be a part of the work God is doing in the leadership development programs at Mission Adelante, and you can also be a part of this movement through our Infinity 2024 campaign.

Check out this video to learn more about what we have been up to and how you can get involved! 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11

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/serve

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Bees, Flowers and Emerging Leaders- Announcing Infinity 2024!

Bees, Flowers and Emerging Leaders- Announcing Infinity 2024!

By Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

Over the past year, I’ve had an exciting convergence of new hobbies: beekeeping and flower gardening.  If we’ve spent any time together, you’ve probably had to listen to me spouting off fascinating bee facts and sharing stories about catching swarms, marking queens or harvesting honey.  My gardening interests have been shaped by my beekeeping as I’ve torn up a section of our grass to plant native pollinator flowers.  I’ve even started letting the white dutch clover grow unchecked in my backyard!

Part of beekeeping is managing bee reproduction.  Did you know that a queen bee can lay 2000 eggs each day during the peak season!  I estimate that my first hive had around 70,000 bees by mid-summer last year.  And, when a hive outgrows its space, it sends out a swarm, nearly half of the colony, to find a new home.  In this way, not only do the bees reproduce on an individual basis, but the entire colony reproduces itself.  The process has a hint of infinity as the cycle perpetuates itself under the care of a Creator whose perfect designs are worthy of study and awe.  My great satisfaction as a beekeeper and gardener is in the cooperation with our Creator in stewarding such a fascinating part of His creative work.

Each summer at Mission Adelante we celebrate the perpetual work and infinite impact of God’s creative work in developing young leaders from our community.  And much like beekeeping or gardening, we are delighted to cooperate with our Creator in stewarding and caring for the lives of young people who will one day be disciples who make disciples and leaders who develop leaders. 

Mission Adelante invests in emerging leaders from our neighborhood starting at a young age, and we have a lot of programs designed for this purpose.  But, one of our most exciting leadership development initiatives is our summer youth internship.  This summer we have an amazing group of youth- six to be exact- most of whom have been in and around Mission Adelante since before the age of five.  For some, we’ve had the privilege of being a part of their lives from birth!  Can you grasp the joy of collaborating with God in their formation and now seeing them shine as they serve others and grow as leaders!

It is in this spirit that we launch our summer campaign, “Infinity 2024”, to raise funds to support our leadership development initiatives.  The programs funded by this campaign are “Leadership Training Project” for youth, “Youth Summer Internship” for youth, and “Ministry Apprenticeships” for young adults.  Our goal this summer is to raise $30,000 to help fund these programs.  Would you consider investing with us in making an impact that ripples forward to eternity?  To donate, please visit www.missionadelante.org/infinity2024 or click the donate button below.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11

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/serve

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Job Opening: Mission Adelante Operations Director

Mission Adelante is announcing a leadership level job opportunity for a full-time Operations Director. Please see the opportunity and summary below and find the linked job description for more details! To apply, please submit a resume to Jarrett Meek at executivedirector@missionadelante.org. If you know someone who might be a good fit for this role, please feel free to pass this job announcement on to them!

Opportunity: 

Do you want to use your administrative gifts to facilitate the ongoing growth of an exciting urban ministry that serves the immigrant and refugee communities in Kansas City, KS?  This opportunity is designed to leverage the gifts of an experienced administrator who is passionate about organizational excellence and believes that loving people from all places is an important expression of the command to “love your neighbor as yourself”.

Job Summary:  

We are seeking a versatile individual with a strong finance background and exceptional problem solving skills to oversee the critical business and back office functions of our organization. The Operations Director must be able to wear many hats, learn new skills, and excel at creating systems that help our organization accomplish its mission. The Operations Director is responsible for ensuring that Mission Adelante operates efficiently, ethically, and safely.

Find full job description here!

From Commerce to Corporate to Community

From Commerce to Corporate to Community

by Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director

Mission Adelante has been and continues to be a place of refuge and a source of community for many. With its distinct mission of making disciples by serving, sharing life, and sharing Jesus with people from all places, Mission Adelante has touched thousands of lives over the last (soon-to-be) 20 years! Some of you may know that my family and I have been involved with Mission Adelante since the very beginning in some form or fashion. My four children have all grown up participating in Mission Adelante’s core programs at some point and we also attended the church as a family when they were younger. Personally, Mission Adelante is the place where my faith in Jesus has flourished most and where I have made the most meaningful connections and friendships. From attending Sunday night church to volunteering as a Level 1 ESL conversation partner, I had been blessed with the opportunity to serve and be served way before I joined the Mission Adelante staff in November of 2023.

Volunteering at Mission Adelante in 2009

Since joining the team, I have been faced with many challenges as a result of being the new kid on the block (Step by step! Ooh baby! -Ha! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!) I have had to learn and shift my attitude, heart, and habits to the non-profit and ministry world. My professional life began at the age of seventeen with a long stretch of entrepreneurship that ended in my early thirties. The experience of owning a business benefited me in countless ways, but something inside of me wanted to experience the freedom of working a “9 to 5”. It seemed like I was always overwhelmed with the on-call feeling that invaded my family time, cut mealtimes short, and robbed me of my sleep! An opportunity to try on a “9 to 5” arose after my life did a 180. I went from being my own boss to having a boss in the corporate world; and because of how unexpected this opportunity was, I felt that God had placed this job in my hands because he knew how desperate and shaken I felt. The pressure of financially supporting 4 children under the age of 12 and getting all the bills paid on my own was constantly on my mind and I had to find a way to make it regardless of the circumstances I was up against and the odds of failure.

““Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on. your own understanding; in all your ways submit to. Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ”
— Proverbs 3:5-6

This new office job was a breath of fresh air for me in many ways. I met some really great people who were with me through some very difficult times in my life. Many of my customers became friends and I really liked walking out of that building every day, leaving work at the door and arriving home with a clean slate. This job also provided me with a predictable schedule which allowed me to be more involved with my children; and I have to admit, the money wasn’t bad either once I was promoted to a Supervisor position. But as time went on and I neared my 6-year mark with the company, I began to dream of something bigger and more satisfying. I had no idea what that would look like for me but I would put it in prayer frequently and ask God what I should do. I had daydreamed about some sort of mission work abroad- maybe helping children with cleft palates receive the care and surgery they need, or feeding and helping the impoverished, or something like that. What I did not know, is that God had plans to plant me right here in my own backyard basically.

He moved the mountain and made a way when I was becoming discouraged and dissatisfied with the work I was doing. It was not fulfilling. I was getting to help people but I was helping them order weasand clips and carcass sheets (What in the whole wide world is that, right?! I KNOW! haha); and if their toilet paper did not deliver before they ran out, I would receive angry calls about how their plant would be shut down and they would lose thousands of dollars if they did not have the paper before the end of the day. Oops, there goes another $1,000 next day air for toilet paper! The pressure was ALWAYS on there. At times it felt as if there were no time to breathe. You can imagine the relief I felt when, after texting his wife about looking for another job, I received a call from Jarrett offering me a position at Adelante Thrift. I was unsure about taking the job at that moment so I told him I would call him to discuss it again in a couple days. I remember when I got him on the phone, I started talking about the position and he interrupted me so as to save my breath and told me to wait a minute because something really amazing had just occurred. It just so happened that the Adult Ministry Director at the time had just walked out of his office. She had shared her plans to leave Mission Adelante within a month's time and he was looking to fill her spot ASAP! Jarrett was sure that this position fit me much better than the position at Adelante Thrift, but the most affirming sign from God about this job opportunity for me was that the salary was EXACTLY the minimum amount that I had decided I would accept! It was even written and circled in the notes I had written down the previous day when I was making my calculations about whether to accept the position at Adelante Thrift, or not.

I am still amazed about how God works and moves for us and on our behalf! I cannot say that the transition from having my own business to “working for the man” to working in ministry has been easy by any means, but I do feel like I am right where I am supposed to be at this very moment. I have been blessed with not only a job that pays the bills, but with a community where I can serve and be served and I am so grateful! I look forward to what God has in store for me here as I pray that he will continue to hold my hand on the walk to whatever he calls me to do in the future.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

A Journey of Understanding and the Power of ESL Education

A Journey of Understanding and the Power of ESL Education




Written by Dan Taylor, Partner Engagement Volunteer.



The Bible is full of verses that we study to help us get closer to God. We use them to remind ourselves of who God wants us to be, how to treat each other, and how to live in the world God has provided for us.

One of the ones you’ve probably heard a lot is Matthew 7:1. It says, “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” You might have memorized it in the King James version, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

If you try to “live” this verse, it can look like this- you meet a new person; at work, in your neighborhood, wherever, and you try not to look at their clothes or their car or any of the outside things we can see and judge easily.

And we hope that people will do the same to us. Ideally, we don’t want to be judged at all, but if we are going to be judged, we want it to be the best possible version of us. We want our hair to look right, our clothes to look nice, and we check to make sure there’s no spinach stuck in our teeth.

Those are little things, things that don’t really matter. But one of the ways we judge others quickly and severely is if they sound like they’re, “not from around here.” When someone has an accent, we immediately decide, “foreigner” and all kinds of judgements follow. It’s not fair, it’s not what God said to do in Matthew 7, but it’s really easy and it’s really common.

Sounding different distinguishes a stranger quickly and most of us are not graceful enough to not make some judgments. That’s why learning the local language is so important. Being able to get along, to succeed and even thrive in a new place is why ESL is so important.

My wife and I have worked in various ESL classes over the years and it’s one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever done. To see the “light go on” when someone gets an insight into how to communicate is a wonderful thing to witness. To explain why, “I went to the store” is better than, “I go to the store” is something all of us can do easily, but it means a lot to someone who is diligently trying to make this home.

We’ve made friends through ESL classes, and we’ve seen time and time again that the old saying is true, there’s so much more that unites us than separates us.

People are coming to Adelante literally from all over the world. By doing what God has already told us to do, not judging them, and helping them to be a little less judged, we bless them and receive a blessing as well.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

The Transformative Power of Empathy

Remembering our Trip to El Paso/Juarez

by Veronica Garcia, Refugee Education Director


In Romans 12:15, Paul writes, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." This verse captures the essence of empathy– entering into the experiences of others with genuine compassion and solidarity. When we rejoice with those who rejoice, we celebrate their victories and joys as if they were our own. When we weep with those who weep, we share in their sorrows and pains.

As followers of Christ, we are called to model his example of empathy in our own lives. This means actively seeking to understand the experiences, emotions, and perspectives of others, even when they differ from our own. By cultivating empathy, we not only fulfill the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves but also create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Cultivating empathy was one of the reasons why I needed to go visit the El Paso/Juarez border. I felt the Lord stir the desire to go when the trip was first brought to my attention in the fall of 2023. It was the opportunity to learn about what is happening at the border, grow in understanding, and grow in faith. 

There’s no other way to describe El Paso/Juarez than a true binational community. One stand-out experience I had in Ciudad Juarez was visiting a shelter that was located in the upstairs of a church. The pastor of the church ran the shelter by himself, with immense support from his wife and daughters. He was not being paid or forced to keep his shelter open, but he does so because the Lord calls him to love others. When we had the opportunity to chat with him, I remember someone asking him how he has kept the shelter open with virtually no financial support. He said something along the lines of, “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit help me.” 

This pastor also shared he wakes up every morning and prays with the migrants that are currently staying at the shelter. In Ciudad Juarez, asylum seekers now wait in Mexico to get an appointment with border patrol. It could be weeks or months before they are finally seen to seek refuge. Appointment schedules are based on a lottery system now, so the pastor wakes up before dawn and prays that one or more of his new friends receives the opportunity to cross into the United States. 

He is a beautiful example of Romans 12:15. What a way to answer the call to love your neighbor. 

Empathy is more than just a virtue; it's a transformative force that can profoundly impact our relationships, communities, and the world at large. Empathy is a profound expression of love and understanding that bridges the gaps between individuals, communities, and cultures. It's an essential virtue that reflects the heart of God and shapes the way we interact with others.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES? JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION -this coming saturday
MAY 18TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation this coming Saturday May 18th, 2024 at 9:00AM and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Discipleship in the Off-Season

Discipleship in the Off-Season

by Mikya Wright, Children Ministry Apprentice


What a great end to the trimester! In the kids programs we had a lot of exciting things going on throughout the whole trimester. We always had solid attendance and amazing classes where the kids learned a lot. Along with the normal programs, we also had different projects to support the Refugee Resettlement team and families, like a Penny War Fundraiser and a Hygiene Supplies Drive. The kids were super hyped to be involved in supporting our community in a fun way!

Now that the trimester is over, we are in our Discipleship Season! It is always such a fun and meaningful time to develop relationships with the kids/teens here. Since there isn’t a formal program time to see the kids, this gives us the opportunity to support them in different ways! Recently this has looked like attending sporting events that the kids participate in. Cheering on the kids and being there for them makes such an impact and means a lot to them! Another way that means a lot is scheduling an informal hangout with them. I love taking the girls out for coffee and catching up on what’s going on in their lives. Not only is it fun for the kids when we go to different events or schedule a hangout, but it is so fun for us!

If you are a current volunteer or are looking to get involved, I urge you to make these connections! The kids and teens look up to the adults that lead them, and making an effort to see them in the offseason makes them feel important! Having a good role model can change the course of a kid's life, and being a part of that change is so valuable. Making disciples is one of the key aspects of all of our kid’s and teen’s programs and I pray that anyone who feels that calling will reach out!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - MAY 18TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 18th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Building Bridges: Inside of Mission Adelante's Refugee Resettlement

Building Bridges: Inside of Mission Adelante's Refugee Resettlement

by Yanelis Lopez, CMA Director

As many of you know, at the heart of Mission Adelante lies the biblical truth that highlights our neighbor as our primary target for love and compassion. The new refugee resettlement office we have opened at Mission is giving us a wonderful opportunity to live out this truth. In the short time that we have been offering our services, it has been impressive to hear stories of trauma and pain, and at the same time, it has been refreshing to see many transitions from a state of fear and astonishment to that precious moment of peace, relaxation, and joy. It has been fascinating!

The Refugee Resettlement Office at Mission is much more than just a physical space, or an agency focused on providing services; it is a welcoming refuge for those who have fled their homes in search of safety and a better life. Here, newcomers find a support network made up of people who have gone through similar experiences and understand the struggles and challenges they face. Solidarity is the soul of this community. Newly arrived refugees find comfort and relief in being welcomed by people who understand and support them.

I love that instead of simply providing basic services, we promote active participation and collaboration between newcomers and those of us who have been living in Kansas for years. It is so common to find new arrivals visiting each other, sharing meals, sharing places to find resources, or simply spending time sharing life stories and dreams for the future.

How happy I am to be part of a community focused on helping to build a home for those who have lost theirs. Let's continue to spread love, hope, and compassion one heart at a time. Thanks to all who have supported us from the beginning!

Construyendo Puentes: Dentro del Reasentamiento de Refugiados de Mission Adelante

Como muchos de ustedes saben, en el corazón de Mission Adelante descansa la verdad bíblica que resalta a nuestro prójimo como nuestro target fundamental de amor y compasión. La nueva oficina de reasentamiento de refugiados que hemos abierto en la Mission nos esta dando una linda oportunidad de vivir esta verdad. En el poco tiempo que llevamos ofreciendo nuestros servicios ha sido impresionante escuchar las historias de trauma y dolor y ha sido refrescante al mismo tiempo, ver a muchos pasar de un estado de susto, y estupor a ese momento precioso de paz, relax y gozo. Ha sido fascinante!!

La Oficina de Reasentamiento de Refugiados en la mision es mucho más que un simple espacio físico o una agencia enfocada en ofrecer servicios; es un refugio acogedor para aquellos que han huido de sus hogares en busca de seguridad y una vida mejor. Aquí, los recién llegados encuentran una red de apoyo compuesta por personas que han pasado por experiencias similares y que entienden las luchas y desafíos que enfrentan. La solidaridad es el alma de esta comunidad. Los refugiados recién llegados encuentran consuelo y alivio al ser recibidos por personas que los entienden y los apoyan.

Me encanta que en lugar de simplemente proporcionar servicios básicos, promovemos la participación activa y la colaboración entre los que apenas llegan y aquellos que llevamos años viviendo en Kansas. Es tan común encontrar las nuevas personas que llegan visitándose unos a otros, compartiendo comidas, lugares donde encontrar recursos o simplemente pasar el rato compartiendo de las historias de vida y sueños para el futuro.

Que feliz estoy de ser parte de una comunidad enfocada en ayudar a construir un hogar para aquellos que han perdido el suyo. Sigamos difundiendo amor, esperanza y compasión, un corazón a la vez. Gracias a todos los que han apoyado desde el comienzo!

 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - MAY 18TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 18th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Our trip to El Paso

our trip to El paso

by Carla Garcia, Kids Ministry Director

Recently, Veronica, Patrique, and I were able to join the Westside Family Church on a trip to El Paso. It was a space to meet organizations in the Juarez/EP area that are aiding those migrating and looking for asylum. We got to see a first hand experience at what the border situation is like and compare it to how that is showcased in the media. We met families, who although have had an arduous journey are hopeful for what the future has in store. Kids who were eager to chat and play and adults who taught us tai-chi. The trip was also packed with informational and educational workshops like immigration law 101 (can’t believe my friend Veronica enjoys that stuff) and immigration theology. But the best part was the fellowship with everyone on that trip - from walks after dinner to find dessert to debriefing our experiences, it was all wonderful! This was also a very personal and emotional experience for me. My family and I immigrated through Juarez/EP’s port of entry 23 years ago. Now with DACA, I’m able to work in the United States but am not allowed to go back to Mexico. I had this feeling of being so close yet so far. It inspired many poems but here’s one that encapsulates exactly what I felt.

Las Aves

Hoy vuelvo a sentir ese sentimiento sin igual 

Aquel que me hace sentir supernatural 

Pero no de una manera genial o poderosa

Al contrario bajo la mirada y me quedo silenciosa

Porque aún siento el corazón partido

Como un pájaro que se ha quedado sin nido

Y es que no soy ni de aquí ni de allá

Y lo único que me detiene es una muralla

Aunque por los huecos aún puedo ver

Mi México lindo y su bello atardecer

Ojalá un día mi alas vuelvan a sentir tus vientos

Y en tu ríos gocen mis pies sedientos

Pero por ahora esperaré con la mirada al cielo

Hasta que en realidad se convierta mi gran anhelo

De ser como las aves que migran en la nubes

Que como les plazca, bajan y suben

Se posan en pinos y nopales por igual 

Pero yo por ahora sigo mi vida habitual

De ser ni de allá y ni de aquí

Pero deseando ser colibrí

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - may 18TH at 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 18th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Catch a Ride on the Whirlwind!


Catch a Ride on the Whirlwind

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director



The year 2024 has begun with a spinning, whirling, blizzard of blessings at Mission Adelante. “Spinning and whirling”, because it has been CRAZY. “Blizzard”, because it has been blinding (and because of the alliteration, which I happen to love). “Blessings”, because there’s no other way to describe the joyful new things the Lord is doing at Mission Adelante.

As 2023 came to a close, we were praying and working on raising $500,000 for the purchase of the adjacent commercial building and a residential house which would serve as our Refugee welcome center. It had all come together surprisingly quickly, as we learned about the opportunity to purchase those properties during the first week of October. It would be a Providential moment in our newest project- the launch of a Refugee Resettlement program at Mission Adelante. Donors from far and wide stepped forward- church partners, business partners, generous individuals- and we witnessed what seems like a miracle- our campaign total reached $500,995 by the end of January, allowing us to purchase the properties and begin work on plans for a complete renovation of the commercial space. In the meantime, we’ve done some cosmetic work to the “welcome house”, and it is set to begin being used to welcome newly arriving refugees in the next few weeks! I’m astounded at the provision of God and His perfect timing!

The new properties are not the biggest thing happening at Mission Adelante right now. Indeed, the refugee resettlement program itself lifted off the last week of January, as we received our first family, a couple from Nicaragua. The “good neighbor team” that we assigned to this very first family was from Mission Adelante’s own Spanish-speaking church community. With tremendous generosity and love, our own community of “people from all places” set the standard for hospitality, welcoming this new Refugee family to the United States and also into our church! Then, in a chain reaction of hospitality, this first refugee couple helped us welcome another new arrival, who, in turn, helped yet another family with their first steps in the U.S.!  This is what happens when agency, community, and church collide in one organization!  To date, we’ve received 12 families from different countries and continents. We’re building new systems, figuring things out as we go, and leaning on the support of partners in our community and city. God is so good!

As if this weren’t enough, in late January, we received news from the Kansas State Office for Refugees that we would be awarded additional grant funding to expand our programming. The kinds of expansion opportunities they had in mind went far beyond what we had imagined. It has allowed us to supercharge the development of our Refugee Resettlement team, which has gone from Kristen Maxwell, as the lone team member back in the fall, to include five full-time staff members by early March. Needless to say, the addition of these programs, which target employment services, medical navigation, public benefit navigation, expanded English classes, and more, will allow us to serve our new friends in a much more comprehensive way. Of course, this kind of rapid expansion of programming and staffing requires new systems and more operation support, which have stretched our team and infrastructure — a blinding blizzard of blessings!

Friends, this is an exciting time of expansion at Mission Adelante. The Lord is expanding our reach and our capacity as a ministry, and we’re so very thankful for this whirlwind of new things. Even as we lean into these new opportunities, we continue to see and celebrate fruit in our legacy programs and enjoy the fun and encouraging team environment among our staff and volunteers. We don’t stop giving thanks for those who serve as volunteers, give as donors, pray as partners, and love our community with us. Let’s do this! Let’s spread our wings and catch a ride on the whirlwind!

Our Refugee Resettlement staff: Kristen, Caleb, Marian, Veronica, Amy and Yanelis

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - may 18TH

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 18th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Life is so unpredictable

Life is so unpredictable

By Innocent Jean Marie, Children / Youth Ministry Apprentice


When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a drummer because everyone in the church would tell me how good I was. I held onto that dream for a long time because that was the only thing I was good at then. I knew how to farm- grow each type of food on my grandpa's farm, but I always dreaded those days, and I did not want to be a farmer. My grandpa always worked long hours in the sun daily, which was not my dream. I went to school, but I would always be sent home because my grandpa sometimes couldn't pay my school fees. Even though I would go to school, I would always dread finishing it because, after school, I would have to help Grandpa on the farm. When I would go to school, I always got there pretty late and got punished by the teacher even though school was about 30 minutes away from where I lived.

School life was challenging. If you were late after the bell rang, you would have to get whooped and pick up trash around the school. I was a good kid, so I was in charge of my classroom, which meant if the teacher left, I had to discipline the kids until they got back. I grew up with my half-sister and grandparents for half my life; I knew my mom, but not that well. I used to call my grandparents "mom and dad," and I still do. I've never called my mom "mom." I call her "dada," which means sister in Swahili. I sometimes try to call her mom, but it's just weird, and the word doesn't come out of my mouth- it's just awkward. 

I loved to watch movies growing up. I used to listen to my grandparents and do everything they told me, but I always broke the rules when it came to films. Back then, I wasn't allowed to leave the house. But I loved going to the neighbors, they had a small screen that required a CD to watch a movie, so I was always at their house window trying to sneak a peek through the blinds. Sometimes, they would ask me to fetch water for them so that I could watch a movie inside. For me, it was worth it. I would always go to fetch the water so excited even though it was 2-3 miles away, but I didn't mind the walk as long as I could watch my movie after.

If you forget everything I just said, I want you to remember that life has many unexpected things. God is going to come through. He has done it for me and will for you, too. You have to believe it. I went through a lot as a kid living in a refugee camp, worrying about when my next meal would be, that's what made me who I am today. God has always been working. 

Our pain has a purpose. Hard times are often even more challenging when they feel pointless. But according to Paul in Romans 5: 3-5, the struggles we face have a significant purpose:

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love”

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Runner’s Edge! Join them on their runs as a portion of their race registration fees will benefit Mission Adelante's impactful initiatives.

Discover their next race: Ward Parkway Four on the 4th!
For more details and to register, visit: https://wardparkwayfouronthefourth.com

Thanksgiving in Spring

Thanksgiving in Spring

by Elaine Reimers, Latino ESL Ministry Director



“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4


Heavenly Father,

This last month, I have been absolutely overwhelmed with joy and peace when I think about Your relentless love and mercy towards me. Who am I? Who am I, that I should be called Your child? What have I done for You, or what have I given to You that I should receive Your provision, let alone your grace and redemption? I have done wrong and You know this, and I will do wrong and You know this; and yet You are still going before me and Your Presence surrounds me. Thank You for Your protection over my heart, mind, and soul, and for giving me even a small portion of Your wisdom. Help me to delight in You all the days of my life!

In Jesus’ Name - Amen

God’s blessings are all around us even when we don’t see them as such. He blesses us before we ever even ask Him to and He does this whether we praise and worship Him, or not. I know this because there was a time in my youth that I did not honor Him, or even acknowledge Him. Yet even in my roaming from one wrong decision to the next, I now know that He was there and He protected me from so many things that could have destroyed me physically and mentally. He opened the doors along the way to get me where I am today. 

I know now that He never abandons us and that if we don’t feel Him, it’s not that He is absent; I can’t say that I know why we feel like He isn’t there at times, but I have witnessed time and again that everything always seems to work out when I just give it all to Him in prayer and delight myself in Him no matter the circumstance. The blessings I can see in my life now are countless and seem to be things that I never even asked for. I am in awe as I realize that they all seem to beat to the same rhythm as my heart. These blessings are the fruit of God’s love for me and are directly connected to dreams and desires within my being that I didn’t even know were there. Who, apart from my Creator, could know my heart enough to have blessed me with all the things that I didn’t even know I needed?

I would just like to thank our Almighty God for the privileges and opportunities He has given me over the years. I am not where I ever expected I would be, but I believe I am in and on my way to the right place. Thank you, Jesus!

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Runner’s Edge! Join them on their runs as a portion of their race registration fees will benefit Mission Adelante's impactful initiatives.

Discover their next race: Ward Parkway Four on the 4th!
For more details and to register, visit: https://wardparkwayfouronthefourth.com

We are in this together

We are in this together

by Luis Magana, Partner Engagement Director


Imagine a symphony orchestra where each musician plays a different instrument. Individually, they may produce beautiful sounds, but when they come together, something truly magical happens—the music becomes greater than the sum of its parts. This is the essence of synergy.

In the same way, the 'WE 2024' campaign at Mission Adelante celebrates the power of synergy. It doesn't matter where you're from—whether you're from a different country or born right here—we believe that everyone has a valuable role to play in our community.

Would you like to see more about our WE 2024 initiative? Take a look at this video!

We are celebrating our WE 2024 campaign, a celebration of people from all places thriving and using our gifts together to transform our community. Our goal is to increase monthly contributions by $2000/month, by April 15th.

A generous donor will match the annual value of each new or increased monthly commitment with a one-time gift.

Would you consider joining us in this campaign? For more information, please visit: www.missionadelante.org/we2024

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next 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 our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Runner’s Edge! Join them on their runs as a portion of their race registration fees will benefit Mission Adelante's impactful initiatives.

Discover their next race: Ward Parkway Four on the 4th!
For more details and to register, visit: https://wardparkwayfouronthefourth.com