By Patrique Harris, Incoming Executive Director
At our last Adelante Youth Club gathering, we played a couple of rounds of Hot Seat. Volunteers and teens took turns getting to know each other, from dream travel destinations to most-hated chores. I learned so much about the friends I share life with!
Since we haven’t recruited most of you to volunteer at Youth Club just yet, I thought I’d bring you into the fun by putting myself in the Hot Seat. Hopefully, you’ll learn something new about me in this article.
If you want to share your own answers to these questions, or have any other burning questions for me, shoot me an email at patriqueh@missionadelante.org.
Also, consider including a round of Hot Seat questions at your next group gathering. You might be surprised by how much you discover, even about the people closest to you.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I LOVE karaoke! It’s a staple at our family gatherings in Jamaica. I’m not the best singer, but I have the best time singing Whitney Houston ballads. “I Have Nothing” is my favorite, and I especially love performing it as a duet with my Aunty Marcia. She arguably has the worst vocals in the family, but we make up for it big time with our show-stopping performance.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I probably watched way too much CSI, but I was convinced forensic science was the coolest field ever. In retrospect, I think I confused the thrill of crime fighting with the reality of daily postmortems.
What’s a childhood memory you’ll never forget?
I have three younger brothers, two of whom are twins. Growing up, we had a double stroller, and all four of us would pile into it while my dad pushed us down the hill in our yard at full throttle, over and over again. What a blast!
What’s a trend you wish would come back?
Developing photos, writing the dates, and leaving little notes on the back. There’s something special about flipping through old photo albums, reading the dates and captions, and feeling connected to the past. I fear future generations might miss out on the beauty of that experience.
What’s a childhood dream you haven’t given up on?
I’ve achieved so many of my childhood dreams. One thing still on the list is starting a family, and I’m trusting God’s timing on that one.
How did a girl from a small town in Jamaica end up in New York City, and eventually at Mission Adelante in Kansas City?
I’d love to say it was all part of my plan, but it was definitely God’s. I went to college in Middletown, Connecticut, and like many of my fellow economics majors, I was gunning for one of those coveted Wall Street internships. After plenty of coaching and preparation, I landed an internship that eventually led to a full-time position in private banking in New York City.
It was an amazing opportunity, but after some time in the role, I began to feel unsettled about my purpose. After months and months of prayer, God directed me to pursue ministry. I didn’t quite understand what that would look like at the time. Then, in 2021, while spending some time working in Jamaica, I stumbled upon a Youth Ministry Director position at Mission Adelante on LinkedIn. And, well, the rest is history.
What’s one moment that changed your life forever?
Moving to the U.S. in 2014 was a pivotal moment in my life. It opened up so many opportunities for me and broadened my perspective. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, leaving Jamaica, the only home I’d known, would also set me on a journey of trying to understand where I belong.
In those early years, I remember feeling like I didn’t quite belong anywhere. Over time, I’ve come to approach belonging differently, with gratitude for the ways God has used different experiences and changing environments to shape my identity. Through it all, God has remained constant. In His presence, I know I will always fully belong.
What’s something God has been teaching you in this season of life?
God has been teaching me so much, from surrender to contentment to patience. But near the top of the list is His perfect design for us to live in community.
A life built around just ourselves can be predictable and relatively friction-free, but there’s so much joy and power in doing life together. My life is so much fuller because of the people God has placed in it. I’m learning that we don’t just need one another; we’re designed to flourish together.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the people and families at Mission Adelante that has changed you?
I genuinely feel like Mission Adelante has given me a little taste of heaven here on earth. I’ve seen people from so many places, each with their own stories and histories, lock arms to serve God by loving one another.
I’ve also learned to appreciate the resilience of people, especially when they’re surrounded by strong community. I’ve seen so many individuals navigate unimaginable hardships and difficult circumstances while remaining steadfast in their faith, continuing to show up, and leaning on one another. Their lives have reminded me that community doesn’t make life’s challenges disappear, but it does mean we don’t have to face them alone. There’s something incredibly powerful about that.
What’s one thing you hope never changes about Mission Adelante?
There’s something almost magnetic about the culture of Mission Adelante. A genuine love for neighbor runs through everything we do. I see it in our staff, in our programs, and in our church.
Relationships aren’t bound by race, class, or circumstance. Unlikely friendships thrive. Difference is met with curiosity. Mission Adelante isn’t just a place; it’s the family of people who show up for you, laugh with you, break bread with you, and pray with you.
I hope that never changes. I pray that God’s love will continue to permeate the people of Mission Adelante and shape the way we welcome, serve, and love each other.