Loving people from all places

Loving people from all places

by Luis Magana, Partner Engagement Director

At the core of Mission Adelante is a passion to "Love People from All Places." As the Partner Engagement Director, I'm lucky to be part of a team that lives and breathes this mission. It's not just a motto; it's who we are and what we're all about.

In a world as diverse as ours, filled with unique cultures and backgrounds, we're all about living out our faith by embracing and serving every single person, regardless of where they come from. This isn't just some idea—it's a way of life that mirrors the love of Christ for all of humanity.

Now, here's the exciting part! You're invited to join us on Saturday, October 14th, at the “Iglesia la Fe en Jesucristo” (1500 Central Avenue Kansas City, KS 66102) from 9:00-11:30 am for a seminar:  "Loving People from All Places: A Christian and Biblical Response to Immigration". We're teaming up with the National Association of Evangelicals to make this happen, and it's all about educating, equipping, and getting our local Christian leaders into action.

This free event isn't your typical seminar. We're diving into the challenges that immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face. You'll leave feeling inspired to make a difference and armed with tools for advocacy that work. This isn't just about knowing more; it's about making a real impact in the lives of those around us.

We're confident this seminar will equip you to do great things. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to connect with other Christian leaders in our city who share our mission of loving people from all places.

Ready to be part of this Kingdom work? Register and find more info right here.

At Mission Adelante, we want to embody the love of Christ by loving people from every corner of the world. Thanks for your support, your prayers, and your partnership on this mission. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall trimester 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’re Opening a Refugee Resettlement Office!

We’re Opening a Refugee Resettlement Office! 

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director


We are excited to announce a significant milestone in our journey of compassion and community development. We have received federal approval to collaborate with World Relief to begin Refugee Resettlement in the state of Kansas, focusing on the Kansas City region.

With this monumental partnership, Mission Adelante is positioned to provide Reception and Placement services starting in January of 2024 to refugees arriving from various parts of the world.   Mission Adelante has been approved to resettle 75 individuals in the first year of this new program, offering vital services that encompass housing, employment support, language assistance, cultural orientation, and more. Through collaborative efforts with our network of community partners and churches, Mission Adelante is committed to delivering these services with the utmost dedication and excellence.

Mission Adelante has been serving immigrants and refugees in Kansas City, KS, for 18 years.  For us, this passion for “loving people from all places” is an expression of Jesus’ commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  Refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world, having fled their home countries for reasons that include war, persecution, and significant human rights abuses.  The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 108.4 Million people are currently displaced worldwide, with 35.3 Million qualifying as refugees, having no viable means of returning home safely.  These numbers are simply staggering, equalling more than 10% of the population of the United States of America.  We are honored to play a new role now in welcoming just a small portion of these beautiful people into our community.

As Mission Adelante steps into this work, we are more than pleased to announce that Kristen Maxwell, a familiar face and beloved friend of our community, has rejoined our staff to lead this effort.  Kristen led our children and youth programming for Bhutanese refugees from 2010 to 2017 before pursuing other roles in our community working with refugee families.  Kristen’s administrative gifts, along with her extensive experience working with refugees and her familiarity with Mission Adelante, make her an outstanding person to lead the charge on this new initiative. 

As is true with most of what we do at Mission Adelante, volunteers will play a critical role in helping us execute this new program.  We will be hosting two events in November to begin orienting potential partners and volunteers to this incredible opportunity.  The first event, on Tuesday, November 7th at 9:30AM, will be geared for church and community partners.  The second event, which will take place on Saturday, November 11th at 9:30 AM  will invite people who are interested in knowing more about what volunteering will look like to come and learn.  

Click here to RSVP for either of the informational gatherings! 

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall trimester 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 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 Lament

A Lament

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director




I can’t help but be mad

Weary, diseased, changed, pained

Ugly news illuminates

Crooked earth I can’t understand

Scared children, practicing panic

Unhoused, where to chill?

Young and promising, gone too soon

Passion once resided, evicted by gloom

Need more funds, what else will I lose?

Words like daggers taking aim

Fists clamor in oblivious outrage

Try again later, too little, too late

Another roadblock, which way do I take?

They say hang in there

The shot, loud and abrupt

Anxiety struck hope 

Depression conspiring

Numb

Almighty God, I must entrust

Relieve, this apparent rut

Your goodness present 

Miraculous the mundane

Aroma ferocious wind can’t negate

So, on this turbulent flight, I wait

Tapped on the shoulder, who could it be?

The window shade, I am prompted

In obedience I raise

Piercing light, a glimpse of grace.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall trimester 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Youth Power

Youth Power: Transforming the Community Through ESL Teaching

by David Stutz, ESL volunteer.



I first heard about Mission Adelante through my friend Joe. He had recently heard of this opportunity to help non-native speakers learn English, and we both loved the idea of contributing to the community in such a way, so we joined the volunteer team in May.

Over the summer trimester, I had a lot of fun teaching English while also sharpening my Spanish speaking. However, I was out of town for about 5 weeks so I didn’t feel as if I was fully experiencing the progress of the students. On the other hand, in the fall and spring trimesters I have been able to come every week and interact more with my student, Ulises and Gilberto. ESL at Mission Adelante has me now looking forward to Thursday evenings despite the half hour drive from home!

It has been rewarding to be one of the youngest teachers because of the positivity surrounding the students and teachers at ESL. I’ve received several compliments from both volunteers and students about how important it is to start helping the community from a young age.

One thing I specifically appreciate about the students is how they always come prepared. This both means that they come with the right materials and their homework done, but also with the right attitude. I’ve taken notice of how the students are always encouraging others to speak up, taking corrections well, and keeping the atmosphere lighthearted.

I would strongly recommend volunteering for ESL at Mission Adelante for people both young and old. There is a lot to learn when helping the lives of others, but the biggest takeaway for me is how fun it can be!

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening 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 our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Donating tigers

Donating tigers

Written by Dan Taylor, Partner Engagement Volunteer.

I’m retired now, but for the last three years, like many of us, I was working from home.

I was a dedicated and productive employee, but I was also a person with a laptop and some free time that used to be spent commuting, talking to co-workers, getting lunch, things like that.

And I’m not proud of it, but some of that time was spent doing what I’ll call Covid Shopping.

Covid Shopping isn’t like regular shopping, where you get things you need, or even things you want. Covid Shopping is what happens when you’re trying to kill some time and one click leads you to another click and before you know it you have two t-shirts with tigers on them on the way to your house in the next 3 to 5 business days.

The first tiger shirt featured a drawing of a tiger’s face on a blue shirt. I looked at it and thought it was cool, probably because I’d seen someone wearing it while I was Covid TV Watching. I went pretty far in the ordering of the shirt but changed my mind. The next day I went ahead and got it in gray. 

Turns out I ordered both. Turns out once I got them, I wasn’t nuts about either. I checked the return policy. The policy was, “we don’t take returns.” 

You gotta admit that’s a pretty cool shirt. 

These shirts weren’t right for me, but they were just right for somebody. That’s how donating works. We all have stuff that used to be perfect for us that now would be perfect for someone else. 

Donating that stuff to Adelante Thrift is an easy way to make a positive difference on an entire community! There’s not much you can do that’s so simple but has such a great impact. 

Every time I bring something to the store, I’m amazed by the range items available. There’s clothing, sure, lots of clothing, but there are housewares and furniture and even vinyl albums! 

You’ve probably got something you could donate. Donating is good for you, it’s good for the community, and it’s literally something we’re called to do.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
— Hebrews 13:16

Find your “tigers” and be a part of how God is working at Adelante Thrift!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the fall trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation this coming Saturday, September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

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

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start the fall trimester 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 second week of July. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

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

From Dream to Reality

Reflecting After My Transformative Year with Mission Adelante

by Veronica Garcia, ESL Manager


God had led me to Mission Adelante 2.5 years ago to explore teaching ESL and learn more about the KCK community. My undergraduate degree was Teaching English as a Second Language, so I was passionate about gaining experience from volunteering to teach English. I was new to the workforce, trying to find something that can support me as an aspiring ESL teacher. Where I landed for the next year was a great learning experience, but not fulfilling. My heart desired to work doing ESL at a ministry. My soul was craving a deeper connection with God, who had originally placed the dream of teaching English on my heart in high school.

God, like He does, is always working for good and knows the desires of my heart. Gissell asked me in June 2022 if I was interested in a position in the ESL department. My brain immediately thought, “this is what you’ve been praying for!!”

I really didn’t know what to expect. What I agreed to sign on to do was going to be challenging- and it was. I’ve never led a group of volunteers before. I’ve never created an ESL curriculum. I’ve never had any experience with adult refugees. I’ve never really had to apply my Spanish outside of the classroom. I should’ve realized the word “never” doesn’t stop God! The immense support from my coworkers, family, friends, and depending on God truly got me through that first trimester at Mission Adelante. I was learning as I was going. I was learning what it meant to step into action and become a leader.

A year later, I am here. I am LOVING what I do. I had never envisioned myself as a leader, but God did. He knew who I would become and how it would come to be. I am so glad I trusted Him through the confusing moments and struggle in my early college years. I am still learning as I go, but I am much more confident in who I am and what I am capable of. 

I want to encourage you if you are going through moments of confusion in your life. I pray that supernatural clarity comes to you soon. God is faithful and I believe He is lining everything up for you. Stand on the truth that God is faithful, God is love, and God works everything for good.

I am so thankful for this past year at Mission Adelante and I am excited to see what the next year holds!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the fall trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on Saturday, September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

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

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall programs 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 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.

“I am here for you, you are not alone.”

“I am here for you, you are not alone.”

by Mikya Wright, Ministry Apprentice



As the school year starts, a lot of different emotions arise! There’s excitement, but there is also a lot of stress. Homework, jobs, different relationships, and sports can be major stressors. I am starting college and I’ll admit that change is really stressful! While change is good and necessary, it can also be really hard. Even for those of us who are not in school right now, this time of year is often one of change.

But I want to encourage you, that even if you are going through a stressful time, there is joy in the suffering! This week during staff huddle, Patrique led the Bible Study over 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. One of the main themes we talked about is how we are not alone in our suffering, and how we need to share the joy and the suffering we experience. When we keep our suffering to ourselves it can become even more painful and lonely. But when we share our struggles, it feels less heavy.

We also need to be willing to show up for others in their suffering. We don’t need to fix the problem, but we can sit with someone and say, “I am here for you, you are not alone.” One thing we need to remember is that our suffering is not for nothing, there is so much to learn from it! Suffering is truly a gift, even though it might not feel like it at the moment. We can find comfort in our Lord. And know that if you are going through hard times, you are loved and not alone!

““Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.””
— ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US TO VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION ON SEPTEMBER 9TH

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall programs 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 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.

Summer Party 2023

Mission Adelante's 18th-anniversary summer party an absolute blast!

by Yanelis Lopez, Associate Director

During summer, Mission Adelante has many activities. As you probably know the internship, added to our regular programs, has greatly enhanced our routine. The icing on the cake after these exciting weeks is our summer party. We held it at the Beach Shelter in Wyandotte Park this year, where about 200 people gathered. The view was beautiful. We had food from many different countries, Mexican folkloric dancing, and a presentation of our programs. We also celebrated with our church participants, students, youth, kids, volunteers, board members, and donors. We can't wait for next year's celebration. You are all invited. Come to celebrate with us! Here are some pictures from that day. Enjoy!

““The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” ”
— Psalm 126:3

Durante el verano en Mission Adelante pasan muchas actividades. Como muchos habran leido, el internship sumado a los programos que hacemos regularmente añaden mucha vida a nuestra rutina. La fresa del pastel despues de estas semanas emocionantes es nuestra fiesta de verano. Esta vez lo hicimos en el Beach Shelter de Wyandotte Park, donde nos reunimos cerca de 200 personas. La vista era hermosa, tuvimos comida de muchos paises diferentes, baile mexicano forklorico y las presentaciones de nuestros programas. También celebramos con nuestra iglesia, estudiantes, jóvenes, niños, voluntarios, miembros de la junta y donantes. No podemos esperar al proximo año para celebrar otra vez, estan todos invitados :) Aqui les compartimos fotos de ese dia!

““Sí, el Señor ha hecho grandes cosas por nosotros y eso nos llena de alegría.” ”
— Salmo 126:3

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US TO VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
SEPTEMBER 9TH

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall trimester 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 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 Summer To Remember

A Summer To Remember 

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director

Sold-out stadiums and concert venues across the United States for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour will certainly cement Summer 2023 as one for the history books. Yet, I posit that there was something even more special brewing in Wyandotte County this summer. Being the Youth Ministry Director at Mission Adelante, I am probably biased, but I witnessed something extraordinary in my neighborhood. I saw God establish a group of seven outstanding teenagers who used their gifts together to impact the lives of many in the Mission Adelante community!

At the end of May, shortly after wrapping up their school year, Lucy, Alana, Julissa, Adiella, Vanessa, Anisha, and Camilo joined the Mission Adelante staff as summer interns. Each of these teens has their natural specialties. Lucy is a thorough planner and musical by nature; Alana is practical and can command a team; Julissa brings humor and encouragement to teammates; Adiella is a mediator and enjoys being of service; Vanessa is creative and detail-oriented; Anisha is great at engaging others, especially children; Camilo is a dreamer and brings great enthusiasm. I liken the group to a machine, each intern being a distinct gear. Though different, all the gears ground together in a melodic rhythm to motor our ministry this summer.

One thing that caught my attention this summer is how other young people gravitated toward these interns. I almost always saw them with an entourage following them around. As such, I would impress upon our interns that they are true “influencers,” similar to Jesus. Their platform may not be quantifiable by five thousand mouths fed, overflowing stadiums with thousands of concertgoers, or millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok. Nonetheless, their very being still has sway and power! I believe God has entrusted our young people and these young leaders with Kingdom purpose. That said, it is unfortunate that many question their worthiness daily. Many youngsters are made to feel ineffectual, sometimes even by family, friends, educators, and other prominent people in their lives. So today, I encourage you to celebrate the gifts of our young people. Give them opportunities to use those gifts and assure them that though they may be young, they are mighty. Or, as we would say in Jamaica, “yuh likkle but yuh tallawah.”

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US TO VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
SEPTEMBER 9TH

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall trimester 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Trusting the Lord It's Not Easy

My Adventure at Mission Adelante

by Luis Magana, Partner Engagement Director



Franklin Roosevelt once said, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”.  The same is true of our faith. Recently my wife and I had a few unexpected curveballs and we’ve found life hard to juggle. As we’ve navigated the waves of the past few months, we have found our faith strengthened. It is in our weakness that God's strength shines through, carrying us through every difficulty. 

The past seven months on staff at Mission Adelante have been filled with excitement, discovery and learning to trust the Lord daily. Some days are filled with challenges, some with joy and some with a little of both. I've learned that whatever the day holds,  the Lord is trustworthy. 

As the Partner Engagement Director, one of my main responsibilities is to assist in fundraising for Mission Adelante. When we speak about fundraising, we speak of faith that God will provide. Throughout my life and in my time with Mission Adelante, I can say with all my heart that God has never failed to provide. He continues to do so even now, and I am truly honored to witness His abundant blessings unfold before us.

Throughout the Bible, we find stories of individuals and communities who placed their unwavering trust in the Lord, and He miraculously provided for them. From Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah to the widow at Zarephath, each narrative reminds us of the power of faith and the boundless blessings that follow.

Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”

At Mission Adelante, we are currently in the midst of our summer campaign called "Infinity 2023." Our goal is to raise $60,000 in donations to support our Leadership Development programs, investing in the next generation of leaders and making an infinite impact  that ripples forward through time to infinity. While our fundraising goal is significant, to God, nothing is impossible. He has shown us countless times in the scriptures how He provides for those who trust in Him.

As part of our Infinity 2023 campaign, we are investing in our kids and youth, recognizing that it is one of the most crucial keys to bringing positive change in our community. We believe that we can empower them to become the leaders of tomorrow, transforming not only their lives but also the lives of the ones in our community.

I want to invite you to be part of God’s work at Mission Adelante, I am convinced that God is moving in here and he has something for us. Visit www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023 to make a donation and learn more about how you can get involved.

Trusting the Lord may not always be easy, but it has been the cornerstone of my journey of faith. Witnessing His faithfulness in providing fills me with hope and excitement for the future. 

Thank you for your support, prayers, and partnership. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of many, one step of faith at a time. May God bless you abundantly as you join us on this adventure of trusting Him wholeheartedly!

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited for everything that is happening 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 our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

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

We were on TV...

A Summer of Citizenship at Mission Adelante! 

by Veronica Garcia, ESL Manager


It’s been an exciting summer for the citizenship class here at Mission Adelante this summer.
Since the spring trimester didn’t bring as many new students as I hoped, I needed to make sure I got the word out sooner about the citizenship class this summer. I took flyers to immigration offices, stores, and posted flyers in different places on facebook, but none of the posts really took off…until one did!

I was just posting in groups as I routinely do before the beginning of each trimester and I decided to try it out in a local latina women’s group on facebook. When I logged on a few hours later after I had posted it, I was so surprised to see people interacting with the post and asking for more information. I had probably messaged 10 people that night. And the calls/texts began the flow in…people were saying they saw my post on facebook.

About a week before the citizenship launch, a LOT of people began calling Gissell. We were like, “This is really all from the facebook post?” Well…Another person interested in the class had called her and said they saw the information on TV. What?? Apparently Univision had picked it up and displayed the flyer on the local news. That was crazy!

(screenshot from Univision on facebook)

I began stressing from not having enough students to what if we have too many? We only have spots for 24 students in our beginner class. With the amount of calls Gissell and I were receiving, I was worried we would have to turn people away. Well, launch night came on May 30… and to my surprise and ease we had 16 new students register for the class! The following week we had 5 more come, so that’s a whopping 21 new registrations for our citizenship class. God is good. We had 20 in the beginners class and 8 returning students in our intermediate class. One of our returning students, Nancy, had recently passed her exam and interview about a month ago. I am so thankful for the volunteers that poured into her and helped her achieve citizenship. I’ve been feeling super happy and excited about what we are accomplishing in our citizenship program. 

Please pray for the citizenship program at Mission Adelante, that we can continue to receive more students and that we can effectively help these people apply and receive United States citizenship. It’s been so much fun learning about immigration law and helping people from different walks of life working towards the goal of American citizenship. I’m praying that the fall trimester will bring more students and volunteers so the program can continue to grow! 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the fall trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on Saturday, September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

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

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall programs 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 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.

Looking Back

Looking Back…

by Mikya Wright, Ministry Apprentice


As the Children’s Ministry Apprentice, this is my first experience leading programs at Mission Adelante! I have always either attended the programs or helped in some capacity, but I have never been in charge of a program.

I am learning so much and having so much fun! I am in charge of our Monday night program - Arts Community, and Arts Camp that was this past month. Being in charge can be a daunting task, but I am so grateful for the people and mentors around me that help me and push me to be better. My supervisor, Carla, has been absolutely amazing; she is the best!! She makes sure that I never feel alone and that I am comfortable with the tasks at hand. None of the programs would be possible without our amazing volunteers! Their willingness to serve and love the kids is something I admire and strive for as well. At the end of the day, what is most important is that the kids feel loved. It doesn’t matter if class didn’t go as planned or there are technical difficulties. What matters is that the kids go home knowing that they are loved by an amazing God and that they are worthy.

I started attending Mission Adelante programs when I was in elementary school. So I know first hand what an impact Mission Adelante has on our community. I would not be the person I am today without the people I have met here! That is why I am so passionate about Mission Adelante and my role here. I remember looking up to the volunteers and staff when I was little and how important they were, and still are, to me. I still keep in touch with many of my mentors from the youth and teen programs. I want to be that to the kids and teens that attend the programs now, and love them how Jesus loves us!

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our fall programs 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 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 2023

Arts Camp 2023

by Carla Flores, Kids Ministry Director


Arts Camp 2023 was so much fun this year! It couldn’t have happened without the help of so many great volunteers, all our friends at Christ Community Downtown Campus, our super helpful staff, and Mikya Wright, our new apprentice. Each person played a key role in the success of another year’s arts camp. Thank you to each and every one of you! Here is a quick rundown of my highlights day by day: 


Day 1: Our first day of Arts Camp was chaotic and crazy but so much fun! Over 70 kids walked through our doors bright and early, had breakfast with their new friends, and settled into their first day of classes. Since it was Juneteenth, our friends at The Hope Center stopped by and taught our students about the meaning and history behind this special day. Many of our students had prior knowledge about Juneteenth but for many it was a first time learning experience. Thank you Hope Center for stopping by and sharing with us! For lunch, Leah and Zach Boal, donated over 20 pizzas for us to enjoy on our first day. They were a tasty way to kick off a great, fun week. Thank you both for the delicious lunch! 

Day 2: Our second day at Arts Camp was more settled as the kids knew the routine and schedule for the day. Mikya was doing a great job of leading the volunteers and ensuring all our students were having fun but also staying safe. The Mission Adelante building was booming with noise from our music classes, fragrant smells from our candle making and cooking class, and sticky messes from arts and crafts class making pinatas! Brad Gregory, a long time friend and volunteer, joined us to teach the students about jazz and woodwind instruments. The crowd of over 70 students and 30 volunteers cheered him on as he played a wide range of instruments. Thank you Brad for an amazing lesson filled with fun and great music! 

Day 3: Our third day of Arts Camp was crazier as we received 80 students, our biggest group of the week! The students began to wrap up their classes and begin preparing for their presentations. Caroline Meek and Rachel Warren stopped by and taught our students all about clay art. They currently work at Epic Arts Clay Studio and brought along many beuatiful pieces of clay art to share with the kids. It was an amazing time filled with learning and sharing all about clay! Thank you to both of you for dedicating your time to teaching the kids and inspiring them to continue on their artistic journeys. 

Day 4: Before we knew it a week had gone by and it was the last day of Arts Camp! The students arrived excited but nervous to present in front of all the campers and share all they had learned. They headed off to prepare for their big presentations and in the mean time I began grilling over 200 hotdogs for our potluck. While the students presented, I headed off to secretly welcome KC Wolf and prepare him for his big surprise entrance! The kids were so excited to see him as they ate lunch outside and enjoyed a big celebration after a long week of fun and learning. 

Overall, Arts Camp 2023 was an amazing experience for volunteers and campers alike! It couldn’t have been so great without the help of wonderful volunteers and donors. A special thanks to Mikya for her budding leadership which I had the pleasure of witnessing this past week and the amazing ways she loved and cared for each one of the campers. I can’t wait until next year’s camp!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 10 -13

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 to start our summer programs 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 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.

Are you ready for Infinity 2023?

Are you ready for Infinity 2023?

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

The “Infinity 2023” campaign is an opportunity to make an impact that ripples forward through time to infinity, by supporting leadership development at Mission Adelante.  Our campaign goal is to raise $60k for our Community Leader Fund by August 6th.  Would you join us on this journey?

For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 10 -13

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 to start our summer programs 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 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.

Embracing Love and Service Together

Embracing Love and Service Together

by Yanelis Lopez, Associate Director

Whenever I have the opportunity to write an article, I love sharing about what's happening in our church, and the main reason is how proud I feel to belong to a flourishing community that is so focused on pursuing the great commandment, "To love God and those around us"... there is nothing more important than this!

In a world often marked by self-interest and individual pursuits, with everyone focused on their own needs and their family's situation, our church group stands out for its commitment to service. Our church has truly embodied the essence of a serving heart!

With the arrival of summer, several weeks ago, Shannon Hernandez (Operations Director) asked for help from everyone in the community to beautify the garden of Mission Adelante. Our community immediately wanted to participate, and despite a week of hard work, they were there to support. These times always bring so much more than just a day of work; it's an opportunity to converse, celebrate, laugh, and enjoy each other's company.

Thank you, friends, you are an example of love and service to me!

Siempre que tengo la oportunidad de escribir un articulo me encanta compartir sobre lo que esta pasando en nuestra iglesia, y la razon fundamental es lo orgullosa que me siento de pertenecer a una comunidad que florece y esta tan enfocada en perseguir el gran mandamiento “Amar a Dios y a quienes nos rodean”... no hay nada mas importante que esto! 

En un mundo a menudo marcado por el interés propio y las actividades individuales, todos enfocados en sus propias necesidades y la situación de su familia; nuestro grupo de la iglesia se destaca por su compromiso con el servicio. Nuestra iglesia verdaderamente ha encarnado la esencia de un corazón de servicio. 

Con la llegada del verano, hace varias semanas Shannon Hernandez (Director de Operaciones) nos pidió a todos en la comunidad ayuda para embellecer el jardín de Mission Adelante. Nuestra comunidad enseguida quiso participar, a pesar de una semana trabajando fuerte, allí estuvieron para apoyar. Estos tiempos siempre aportan mucho mas que un día de trabajo, es una oportunidad para conversar, celebrar, reir y disfrutar de la compañia uno con los otros.

Gracias amigos, ustedes son un ejemplo de amor y servicio para mi!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE
JULY 10 -13

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

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this summer trimester 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Summertime at Mission Adelante

Summertime at Mission Adelante

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director

From left to right: Lucy, Anisha, Camilo, Vanessa, Adiella, Julissa and Alana

Summertime at Mission Adelante is a blast! It is the time of year when we invite a special group of budding young leaders from our neighborhood to join our staff as summer interns. The internship is an intensive discipleship and leadership development experience that aims to help young people become passionate followers of Jesus and leaders in our community. This year, Lucy, Anisha, Camilo, Vanessa, Adiella, Julissa, and Alana have committed their summer to serving alongside us at Mission Adelante. Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to! 

An essential part of the internship is developing close relationships within the group early. What better way to do that than to spend a weekend away together! So, earlier this month, we traveled to Manhattan, Kansas for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Together we worshiped, laughed, played, exercised, made meals, explored the city, tried new sports, shared dreams, and even washed each others’ feet! I am always blown away by how quickly connections can build, regardless of age, gender, background, and even culture. God’s power is demonstrated in the way these interns moved from being acquaintances to friends in just one weekend!

Once we returned from a refreshing weekend away, it was time for the interns to get their hands dirty! The interns have taken on significant leadership responsibilities in Arts Community, Adelante Youth Club, and Kids Adelante under the tutelage of myself; Carla Flores, our Children’s Ministry Director; and Mikya Wright, a former summer intern herself and our new Ministry Apprentice! They are hanging out with kids, teaching Bible lessons, teaching creative classes, and even leading worship!

We have also spent time visiting and serving with other impactful ministries and nonprofits in our neighborhood. We literally got our hands dirty at the New Roots for Refugees’ Juniper Gardens Training Farm. New Roots for Refugees is a collaborative program between Catholic Charities and CultivateKC that provides farm training and market opportunities for refugee families that have settled in our neighborhood. Giving the Basics was also an eye-opening exposure trip for us. Giving the Basics distributes a host of hygiene necessities, often not covered by government assistance programs. We visited the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank (KC Fed) and toured the Money Museum with Daniel Nguyen, a volunteer in Mission Adelante’s Citizenship class. Daniel shared details about the history of U.S. currency and the importance of the KC Fed in managing the money supply of Kansas, Missouri and neighboring states. We learned a ton about upcycling at ScrapsKC, an organization that is focused on reducing waste in Kansas City with creative reuse while also supporting teachers and the unhoused community. We also paid a visit to our sister organization, Adelante Thrift. Adelante Thrift is located in our neighborhood on 38th St and State Ave and sells gently used clothing, furniture and more. Sales proceeds from the store cover around 25% of our expenses at Mission Adelante.  

This cohort of interns has already added a ton of value to our ministry. Please keep them in your prayers and feel free to send a note to their email (interns@missionadelante.org) with words of encouragement! If you feel moved to financially support our internship program and leadership development more broadly at Mission Adelante, consider giving to our summer fundraising campaign, Infinity 2023. Our goal is to raise $60k for the Community Leader Fund by August 6. Check this link for details www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE
JULY 10 -13

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

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this summer trimester 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 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 Journey to Infinity

The journey to infinity

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director


“I love you to the Moon and back, infinity times infinity.”  Each of my children heard that phrase as a consistent part of our bedtime routine more times than they could count.  Even if the concept of infinity is difficult to grasp, my children knew that it meant my love for them was without limits, that it rippled through space and time without ever reaching an endpoint.  

How can ministry impact reach to infinity and beyond? The answer is found in leadership development.  Investing in young leaders who will in turn develop others.  Like a wave of light emanating from a distant galaxy, the ripple effect of developing young people travels through generations to infinity, reaching times and places never imagined.  

A child grows up in our urban neighborhood.  She finds a safe place to learn about Jesus.  She learns and grows, receives love, encouragement and help in school.  She’s invited to serve her community.  Mentors invest in her life.  As a teenager, she joins an internship where she is challenged to begin leading in new ways.  She invests in younger kids.  Her peers come to her for advice.  Her love for Jesus continues to grow along with her love for her neighborhood and her heart for children and youth growing up in similar circumstances to her own.  She overcomes many obstacles to become the first person in her family to go to college.  She serves, she loves, she builds.  Her children know Jesus and they love others well.  She shares her life and life and love for Jesus.  She develops others and many “honor her for all that her hands have done.  Her works bring praise at the city gate” (Proverbs 31:31).  The journey to infinity has begun.

Join us for one of our summer Fundraising Events!

You’re invited to attend one of our two small fundraising events this summer.  Each event will be a unique KCK experience and will include dinner (no charge) and a classic Strawberry Hill view.  These events are part of our summer INFINITY 2023 campaign to raise funds for our leadership development initiatives at Mission Adelante.  We're hoping these pilot events will help us get a good start toward our summer campaign goal of $60,000.

The Mockingbird Lounge Patio- Thursday, June 15- 6:30-8:30: Enjoy a local taco truck dinner, fellowship, and a classic Strawberry HIll view of downtown KCMO on the Mockingbird Lounge patio.  Please RSVP Here by June 12th (If you forget to RSVP by that date, please contact us!).

Splitlog Coffee Rooftop- Saturday, June 17th- 6:30-8:30: Enjoy SLAPS Barbeque, a great cause, and a cool experience with a classic view of downtown KCMO, on the rooftop of Splitlog Coffee Shop.  Please RSVP Here by June 12th. (If you forget to RSVP by that date, please contact us!)

If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a contribution toward the Infinity 2023 campaign goal of $60,000, you may do so at www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our summer programs 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 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.

When the Students Became the Teachers

When the Students Became the Teachers


Written by Yulia Wijata & David Tjiptogarson, ESL Volunteers


As another trimester teaching ESL at Mission Adelante came to an end,  I could not help but reflect and be thankful for the opportunity, the friendship, and the joy that David and I experienced in the past year and a half. 

It was late in 2020, at the end of a seemingly long and isolating pandemic year, that we were yearning for more community. The invitation to the volunteer orientation at Mission Adelante posted on our church’s Facebook page caught my eye. I had heard about the organization and its ministry working with the refugee and immigrant community in Kansas City, Kansas, years before but never took steps to find out more or made the commitment to serve. When we finally went to the orientation and learned about the different serving opportunities, we immediately felt the calling to get involved in the ESL program.

To be honest, in the beginning, I was a bit apprehensive at the thought of teaching English. My husband and I are immigrants ourselves, and English is not our native language. We had to learn English and American culture when we came to the United States over 30 years ago. While I was not confident in my ability to teach English and my lack of Spanish, I always felt a kinship with the immigrant community and thought that we had a unique perspective to offer since we had gone through the experience of learning a new language and adjusting to life in a new country.

We started in ESL Level 1, where we worked one-on-one with the students, helping them with simple tense and pronunciation of common words and phrases. In Level 2, we began to help the lead teacher with some sessions. We gained more confidence as we moved up to each level with our students, like Nancy and Manuel, who started the program in Level 1 with us. A few weeks ago, David and I just completed teaching Level 4 on our own!  We had a lot of fun because it was so much more than just teaching and learning English. David always started the class serving tea and cookies as we caught up on everybody’s week. We also played games, celebrated birthdays and the birth of a grandson, prayed for each other, and learned about different cultures. 

I’m not exaggerating when I say Thursday night is the highlight of our week.  We love teaching ESL and seeing our students progress and learn new things. We love hearing their stories and building relationships with each one of them. It’s inspiring to see the hard work they put in and the energy they bring to class each week because I know some of them come after a long day at work, but they always try their best to make it to class. 

Volunteering at Mission Adelante was one of the best serving experiences we ever did. It is a rewarding experience that taught us a lot about others and about ourselves. We found an amazing community and so much more.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start the summer trimester 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 second week of July. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

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

You Can’t Spell “Essential” Without ESL

You Can’t Spell “Essential” Without ESL


Written by Dan Taylor, Partner Engagement Volunteer.


My wife and I moved to Kansas almost 40 years ago. We came from Illinois, and we immediately noticed some things…

1.   People call it “69 Highway” and not “Highway 69.”

2.   69 Highway is one of the ways you can get to a town called “Olathe,” which is pronounced, “Oh-lay-thuh.”

3.   While you’re there, you can get an entrée or a sandwich called, “Burnt Ends” which doesn’t mean something bad happened to the ends, it means you’re about to have something delicious!

It’s a lot easier to live in Olathe if you know these things. In a short time, we sounded like natives, not people who had moved from two states over. And once our kids were born here, it was like we’d been here forever.

Those are just three quick examples of challenges you might face if you haven’t been here forever. If you’ve been here 3 weeks and you came from a place where almost every single thing was different, you can imagine how intimidating that could be.

 Now imagine your child is sick and you want to take them to a doctor. How do you find one? Will you be able to communicate?  And if you want to imagine even more, what about insurance?

 It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see that a working knowledge of English is the key that unlocks just about every good thing about living in America.

This is just one of the ways that a place like Mission Adelante provides a vital link to immigrants. ESL classes help make the experience of living in a new place a little less overwhelming, a little less intimidating, and, frankly, a little less scary.

 You don’t have to know the students’ native language to be a volunteer, and you don’t have to be an English major. I was anxious about this at first, but then I learned that the students are there to learn English, and if you only speak to them in English, that’s ideal!

You’ll be provided with materials and instructions that make it easy to help someone feel more at home here. You volunteer your time, and Mission Adelante does the rest.

My wife and I felt like this was home shortly after we arrived. The opportunity to help others overcome hurdles much larger than figuring out a BBQ menu and begin to think of this as their home too is as much a blessing for the volunteer as it is for the student.

 Drop by soon and see for yourself!

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start the summer trimester 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 second week of July. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

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