teens

Un Lugar en la Mesa

Un Lugar en la Mesa

By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director

In Mexico, you don’t just say “thank you.”
You invite someone to your table.

You make space. You warm tortillas. You stir the pot a little longer. You serve the best portion to your guest before serving yourself. In my culture, sharing a meal is one of the most sacred ways we express gratitude. It says: I’m thankful for you.

Some of my most meaningful memories are around a table: laughter echoing off kitchen walls, hands passing plates, stories flowing as freely as the salsa. Food isn’t just food in Mexico. It carries history. It carries sacrifice. It carries love. Recipes are not simply instructions, they are inheritance.

History of Hope

History of Hope

by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director

Growing up in Jamaica, I have always been fascinated with the history of the Caribbean and Jamaica in particular. From the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the land, to Europeans who arrived, killed, and colonized, and the brutal transatlantic slave trade that fueled sugar plantations, and fattened the purses of imperial “powers”, our past is marked by immense pain, violence, and exploitation. Yet, the story of our people is not defined by cruelty alone. It is also a story of vision, resolve, defiance, and authenticity. 

A Beautiful Cycle of Welcome

A Beautiful Cycle of Welcome

By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director

As we step into 2026, we do so in a time that feels increasingly divided. It has become normal to close ourselves off, to stay within what feels familiar, and to hesitate when it comes to welcoming others. In the midst of this, Mission Adelante has been a place that lives differently, a community committed to radical welcome, even when it would be easier not to.

Mission Adelante has been that place for me. A community that welcomed me before I had a role, before I knew how I could serve, before I had words for what I was carrying. I was met with presence, patience, and care. And in that, I caught a glimpse of what Scripture means when it says, “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). Belonging came first. Everything else came later.

What Hope Looks Like in a Time of Fear

What Hope Looks Like in a Time of Fear

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.

The Duplicity of Life

The Duplicity of Life

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. 

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.

DONATE NOW

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.

DONATE NOW