Genuine Community
by Kristen Maxwell, Associate Director
When I returned to Kansas City in 2010, I carried with me a desire to connect with the refugee community. During an internship at a church in Atlanta, I met families whose warmth and stories left a lasting impression on me, stirring in me a desire for meaningful relationships with people from other places.
Through a high school friend, I met David and was introduced to the early days of the Bhutanese Outreach at Mission Adelante. It was there that I found fertile ground to cultivate those connections. Together, we nurtured weekly programs that eventually engaged around 100 kids and teens, supported by more than 50 dedicated volunteers. One of my greatest joys during that time was weaving together the lives of children and volunteers, fostering a community where relationships could take root and flourish.
Just this past week, I had the privilege of attending the high school graduations of three young women I mentored in our Kids Club and Leaders in Training (LIT) programs from 2011–2017. The moment became even more beautiful as I had the chance to reconnect with two longtime Kids Club and LIT volunteers who had faithfully walked alongside these same girls over the years. To witness those relationships continuing years later, as these young women crossed the graduation stage, reminded me again of the beauty and strength of genuine community.
When Jarrett called to ask if I would consider returning to Mission Adelante to help launch a refugee resettlement program in partnership with World Relief, I was working as an ESL teacher in the KCK school system. While I enjoyed aspects of that role—supporting teachers, ensuring compliance, and facilitating communication—I found myself missing the relational side of the work. I jumped at the chance to dive back into deeper connections and to nurture partnerships within and beyond the church.
Though our time actively resettling refugees was brief—just 359 days, not even a full calendar year, we welcomed 47 families, 171 individuals—or as I like to say, 171 new friends. More than 150 volunteers came alongside us, offering their time and resources to set up apartments, teach English classes, collect hygiene kits, go to doctors' appointments, help learn how to pay bills, and greet families at the airport. New friendships were sprouting everywhere.
Though we are no longer in the active resettlement phase, I continue to pray that those relationships grow. That birthdays are celebrated, prayers are shared, and roots deepen. I’ve often heard people say that what sets Mission Adelante apart is its relationships, and that’s held true through our refugee resettlement work. The relationships have truly embodied love.
I’m reminded of 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV):
"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
That’s exactly what our volunteers do, every single day—they show up and share their lives.
I feel like in so much of my life, Proverbs 16:9(NIV) holds true:
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
When I left Mission Adelante in 2017, I never would have planned for the Lord would bring me back, but with his guidance, my steps brought me back to this place to lead for this season in a beautiful way. Just like coming back to Mission Adelante, only the Lord could have come up with the steps I will take next. At the beginning of June, I will be joining the Kansas City Christian School team as the Elementary Principal.
As I prepare to wrap up this second season at Mission Adelante, I am filled with gratitude for the stories I’ve heard, the relationships that have been built, and the beauty of what we’ve accomplished together. And I pray that when some of our smallest arrivals walk across their graduation stages years from now, the people who first welcomed them to their new home will be there, celebrating alongside them—because in the end, it all comes down to relationships.
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?
May 27th- First week of Summer Trimester Programs- Please make note that the summer trimester will start on Tuesday after Memorial Day.
July 14th - 17th - Come and See Nights - Come and see firsthand how our programs operate, and how you may be able to fit in.