By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director
This season, I can feel the heaviness in our city almost as soon as I step outside. The political climate, the way immigrants and refugees are talked about, the comments online, the tension in local conversations. It hurts. Because people I love, families I know by name, are being spoken of as if they were a burden instead of a blessing. As if their stories, their courage, their sacrifices don’t matter.
But they are not burdens. Son nuestros vecinos.
by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director
This past week has been a whirlwind, marked by joy and celebration, yet also mixed with sorrow and concern. Such is the duplicity of life.
Last Saturday, I turned thirty! To mark the milestone, I set out on a 30,000-step walk through some of my favorite parts of Kansas City and its surroundings. Though the forecast warned of a downpour, the day turned out beautifully! It was cool, with a faint drizzle, but not enough rain to dampen my spirits.
by Carla Garcia, Ministry Director
When people encounter Mission Adelante today, a vibrant multicultural ministry with deep community roots and a transformative impact. It’s easy to see the fruit. But what often goes unseen is the daily, faithful work that built it.
Our founder, Jarrett Meek, didn’t wake up one day with a fully formed nonprofit in his hands. Mission Adelante was built slowly, over days, weeks, and years. It was shaped by intentional relationships, consistent service, shared meals, hard conversations, and persistent prayer. The kind of work that is quiet and steady, and changes lives.
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Manhattan, Kansas with our summer interns, staying at the home of Jarrett’s parents, Palmer and Marti Meek. What I saw there reminded me of how much of Mission Adelante’s DNA comes from this legacy.
Palmer Meek, a man of quiet strength, built a life for his family one day at a time. He didn’t rush to make a name for himself. Instead, he invested in things that matter: integrity, faithfulness, and community. Now in his later years, his legacy lives on in his children and grandchildren, and in the seeds he planted through consistent action.
And Marti—Marti has built a home. Her pride and joy is her family, and it shows in every room. The photos on the walls, the way she talks about her grandkids, the warmth in her hospitality. It all speaks to a life spent loving deeply and intentionally. As we sat around her kitchen table, surrounded by family photos and laughter, I saw the result of years of quiet, loving labor. She has built a family that is now her pride and joy, and that same care echoes through the culture of Mission Adelante.
It hit me deeply, the heart of Mission Adelante, the love, the patience, the commitment to people, isn’t just something Jarrett decided to pursue. It was woven into him by the family who raised him. It made me emotional, honestly. Because in so many ways, what Mission Adelante is today is a reflection of that same kind of slow, steady love. This weekend reminded me that the most meaningful things in life are built slowly, lovingly, day by day. That’s how Mission Adelante was built. And that’s how we’ll continue.
Now, 20 years in, we believe the best is still to come. There are more families to walk alongside, more leaders to raise up, more bridges to build between cultures and hearts. And as we look toward the next 20 years of Mission Adelante, I want to invite you to be part of it.
On September 18th, we’re hosting a gala, SHINE! It’s a night to celebrate all that’s been built so far and to dream about what’s still to come. I’d love to see you there—whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just getting to know our heart.
Come shine with us! Let’s keep building something that lasts—together.
Summer is here! We’d love to include you in some of the excitement during our summer trimester!
Come and See Nights: July 14, 15, 16, 17
Visit one of our programs and get a first-hand look at how you could make an impact as a volunteer. Learn more at missionadelante.org/serve
Summer Arts Camp: July 21-24
Contact Erick Flores about volunteer opportunities at Summer Arts Camp: erickf@missionadelante.org
by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director
Back row from left: Erick (Monistry Apprentice), Blake, Anisha, Sonia, and William
Front row from left: Patrique, Unisha, and Josée
It’s the most wonderful time of the (Mission Adelante) year—our summer interns are here! Each year, we welcome a few eager teen leaders to join our team, and this year may just be our best group yet. Last week, Josée, Sonia, William, Anisha, Blake, and Unisha came through our doors, excited to grow in their faith, deepen their friendships, and develop as leaders.
One of Mission Adelante’s core values is developing leaders. We are committed to equipping and empowering emerging leaders from our community through hands-on ministry experience and mentorship. This summer, our interns will be leading classes and activities for kids and youth, participating in exposure trips, serving the community, and engaging in a variety of training workshops.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to so far!
Connecting with Past Interns
We kicked off the summer with a special breakfast reunion with past summer interns, bringing together participants throughout the years. It was eye-opening to hear their reflections—favorite memories, biggest challenges, and how their summer internship experience shaped their lives. Though the structure of the program has evolved over the years (no more 7am exercise), many of the key learnings have remained strikingly similar. What a gift to witness the legacy of this program in action!
Visit to Epic Arts
As part of our exposure trips, we love introducing interns to other organizations doing meaningful work in the neighborhood. Our visit to Epic Arts stood out! Epic is a local clay studio on 6th Street that offers affordable pottery classes to the community. On our visit, the interns not only learned about the organization’s mission, but also had the chance to try their hand at pottery. For several of them, it was their first time on the wheel—and let’s just say the final pieces were beautiful, a few more abstract than others!
Retreat in Manhattan
Next, we hit the road for our much-anticipated opening retreat in Manhattan, KS. I’m always amazed at how quickly and deeply relationships form during retreats. We cooked meals, worshiped, explored the city, and of course, played a lot together. A favorite moment? When the gentlemen took charge of breakfast duty! The ladies (from just outside the kitchen) couldn’t help but offer a little guidance. It was a beautiful lesson in trust for the ladies and a crash course in teamwork for the guys.
The Summer Internship is intense, but our interns are already stepping up in big ways. Please join us in praying for stamina, wisdom, and continued growth for this group. Thank you to everyone who has supported this flagship program over the years. Because of you, we continue to raise young leaders who will shape the future of our neighborhood.
Summer is here! We’d love to include you in some of the excitement during our summer trimester!
Come and See Nights: July 14, 15, 16, 17
Visit one of our programs and get a first-hand look at how you could make an impact as a volunteer. Learn more at missionadelante.org/serve
Summer Arts Camp: July 21-24
Contact Erick Flores about volunteer opportunities at Summer Arts Camp: erickf@missionadelante.org
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!
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
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.
