Nurturing the Seeds of the Gospel

Written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Middle School Ministry Coordinator

Middle School. No other words in the English language draw up more memories for me of uncomfortable feelings and a general state of confusion. That was when I first realized that I could choose who my friends were, and that other people could choose to be my friend. They were also the years when I was first challenged in my faith, and began to convert the stories about Jesus that I had heard my whole life into a relationship with him. The things that people challenged me with in those days still ring through my head; for example, “Being a Christian isn’t practicing a religion, it’s building a relationship with Jesus.”

Middle School is an integral time in a person's life. In fact, it is the latter portion of the time frame during which 71% of Christians commit their lives to Jesus (ages of 4-14.) That's why we're so excited about launching Bhutanese Middle School Club for the first time in September!  Our goal is to create a space where students can gather amidst the opportunities and challenges they are facing, and practice making healthy choices based on their identity as children of God; a space where students can grow into healthy young adults who freely and openly worship Jesus as their Lord.  The majority of the students that will take part have participated in our kids program for the last 6 years, hearing stories about Jesus every week. We're praying that our students will take the stories they’ve heard and build relationships with Jesus as the Lord of their lives, nurturing the seeds that have been sown during the past years and allowing them to sprout into saplings rooted firmly in the gospel.

You can help us nurture these seeds! We are currently in need of 3 male and 3 female mentors to lead small-group Bible study and build relationships with our students! Middle School Club will meet for 12 Tuesdays starting September 13th, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Drew Hammond at drewh@missionadelante.org.

Important dates:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, September 12, 9:00-1:00  All volunteers should attend this training once at the beginning of serving with Mission Adelante. It's also a great way for someone who is curious about what we do to become familiar with Mission Adelante's ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about what we do, and about our volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend/encourage him or her to plan on attending this informative training, and to contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org for all the details.

  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Fall trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!

  • Fall trimester programs launch: Week of September 14

Voices of Their Own

Written by Megan McDermott, Latino Children's Ministry Director

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager?  For some, it was an easy time, while for others, it was a tumultuous experience. Regardless of what we went through, the common feeling that we all experienced was that ache to be grown up and seen as important, able to contribute something that others would see as worthwhile.  To put it simply, we wanted to have a voice.

One of the most poignant parts of serving in children’s ministry is watching a child grow before your eyes.  They let you into their struggles, their triumphs, their sorrows, and if you are lucky, their hearts. As we walk with the children of our community, we truly seek to help raise up leaders that will affect real change in their own neighborhoods.  We believe that by investing in the children of today, we will help the youth of our community to become disciples and leaders within the community in the future.  We desire to give these young leaders a place where their voice is heard and honored.

Recently, at our summer trimester party, our community celebrated a simple rite of passage as three young girls transitioned from our children’s program to our teen’s ministry.  Amid embarrassed giggles and excited smiles, our community recognized these young women as youth rather than as children.  Our hope is that by continuing to love and disciple these young ladies into their teen years, they will have the confidence to share their voice and use that voice to spread the love of Christ.

In Other News:

  • The parties we threw in the park to celebrate the conclusion of the summer programs were a blast!  Thank you to all of you that came out to spend some quality time with our community! At one of the parties, we gave out about 25 copies of the Life of Jesus video to Bhutanese families. Please pray that these families watch the video, and that it bears fruit in our community.
  • Thanks again to everyone who contributed backpacks and school supplies this year!  In addition to distributing around 230 backpacks through our weekly kids and youth programs, we were able to put an additional 30 in the hands of our partner schools for them to assist students that come without supplies.

Needs:

Important Dates:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, September 12, 9:00-1:00  All volunteers should attend this training once at the beginning of serving with Mission Adelante. It's also a great way for someone who is curious about what we do to become familiar with Mission Adelante's ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about what we do, and about our volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend/encourage him or her to plan on attending this informative training, and to contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org for all the details.

  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Fall trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!

  • Fall trimester programs launch: Week of September 14

Back-to-School: Pray with Us Today!

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Children's Ministry Director

This is a big week for many of the youth and kids in our community; they are heading back to school!  Over the past few weeks, Mission Adelante has been able to bless nearly 250 students in our community with backpacks and supplies for the new school year!  We are so very for the grateful for the churches and individuals who provided backpacks for this year’s distribution.  A special thanks to Heartland Community Church, Blue Valley Baptist Church and Christ Church Anglican for their partnership in filling backpacks.    

Join us in praying for our kids as they head back to school with their new backpacks.  Pray that they would do well, that they would stay healthy and study hard.  Pray that they would make good friends, and be a light in their schools.  Pray for endurance for their teachers and a supernatural peace as they begin a new year.  Pray for the administrators to lead well and have the wisdom to serve the community well.


A Home Away from Home

Written by Edgar Soriano, Ministry Apprentice

Where do you go when you need someone to talk to? Most of us have a safe place to go: our home, the home of a family member or friend, or church. We asked some of the teens from our neighborhood, "Where is a place that you feel safe?" While some of them said that they didn't have one, others named Mission Adelante as that place.

For the past three years, many partners and volunteers have poured many hours of labor into the renovation of the "Light House:"  the house located next door to Mission Adelante. The Light House is a brand-new place for our teens to call home.  For a month now, our Wednesday evening teens program has met in the house and the change has been amazing! Many of the teens feel safe enough to share their struggles because the house feels like a home rather than like a facility.  The house provides a feeling of protection from the troubles of the outside world.  When they are relaxed, the teens open up more and don't feel scared to share their feelings. 

One of the most important things that we get to do is share God with the teens every time we see them.  We're so thankful for the amazing home God has given us!  What better way to use it than to bless the youth of our community by giving them a home away from home!

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 p.m.: End-of-Trimester Celebrations at Wyandotte County Lake Park (Park Entrance at 91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. For both parties, enter the park and take a left at the fork in the road.)  Everyone's invited!

  • Bhutanese Celebration in Shelter #6.  We will start to gather at 4:00 and will kick off our program around 5:00.  We will have food, cultural performances and lots of fun.  Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and food to share!  Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.
  • Latino Celebration in Shelter #10. Bring a dessert or another dish to share, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.

Mission Adelante's Volunteer Opportunities for Fall 2015

Fall is almost here and we're ramping up for a new ministry trimester at Mission Adelante!  There are many meaningful opportunities for people from all places to get involved in a mission field in our own backyard.  Whether you're looking for an ongoing, relational ministry opportunity, or a service activity for your family or group to do together, there is something for you!  Come point your arrows out with Mission Adelante!

Kids Outreach
Looking for a fun and dynamic way to serve kiddos? We are looking for small group leaders to teach our kids about Jesus in our outreach Bible studies on Tuesday or Thursday evenings!

Bhutanese Middle School Club 
Bhutanese Middle School Club is launching this Fall! We are in need of mentors who love middle school students and want to build relationships with students and help them build a relationship with Jesus. 

Latino Leaders in Training
Passionate about reaching out to the next generation of leaders? Our Latino Leaders in Training program is looking for 6 mentors that are available to serve Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday late afternoons into the early evening beginning in September.

Bhutanese Leaders in Training
Our Bhutanese Leaders in Training program is multiplying this year!  We are going to have two separate programs, one to meet the needs of our Elementary school students and one to meet the needs of our Middle school students.  We will need many volunteers for both programs, opportunities to serve are available Monday-Thursday in the afternoon.

Bhutanese Teens Ministry
Are you an adult interested in sharing life and sharing Jesus with Bhutanese teenagers in a dynamic and exciting urban youth ministry?

Adelante Thrift
Adelante Thrift has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, ranging from sorting, pricing and stocking merchandise to assisting customers, arranging department displays, and more!  Choose a time that best suits your schedule and come as often as you want, by yourself or with a group!  There are volunteer opportunities on nearly every day of the week.  

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 p.m.: End-of-Trimester Celebrations at Wyandotte County Lake Park (Park Entrance at 91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. For both parties, enter the park and take a left at the fork in the road.)  Everyone's invited!

  • Bhutanese Celebration in Shelter #6.  We will start to gather at 4:00 and will kick off our program around 5:00.  We will have food, cultural performances and lots of fun.  Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and food to share!  Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.
  • Latino Celebration in Shelter #10. Bring a dessert or another dish to share, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.

The Value of Partnering with Local Leaders

Bhutanese Community Leader Ram Rai (center) with a CNE presenter (right) and Robert L. Woodson, Sr (left) at the Kansas Community Leadership Enterprise

 

Written by Kristen Allen, Community Development Director

Mission Adelante values partnership. One of my favorite things about leading our community development initiatives is finding ways to work in collaboration with other organizations. I enjoy finding ways to partner together to address the opportunities and challenges in our community, and especially love learning from other leaders who have experiences different than my own.

This spring I was invited to participate in the Kansas Community Leadership Enterprise that brought together over 50 leaders from grassroots organizations to learn, share, and grow together. My cohort consisted of leaders representing health, education, faith, family, welfare and business who came together to learn from the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise. Much to my surprise and happiness, three refugee leaders from the three largest ethnic groups recently resettled in Kansas City were also in attendance. I believe that in order to effectively address issues, we have to invite traditionally marginalized groups to the table and allow them to add their voice and leadership to the conversation. Kansas Community Leadership Enterprise brought people together from various cross-sections of Wyandotte County and would only be representative of our community if we included the voice of the refugee.

Led by Robert L Woodson, Senior, CNE focuses on empowering neighborhood leaders to promote solutions that reduce crime and violence, restore families, revitalize low-income communities, and create economic enterprise. It is clear that Mr. Woodson is skilled at partnership since he is the only person ever to have received both the liberal and conservative world’s most prestigious awards - the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Prize.

My favorite story from Mr. Woodson was his analogy of ship captains and harbor masters. Ship captains know how to steer the boat. They understand the open waters, navigational mapping, etc. But when they get to the harbor, the ship captain’s tools are insufficient. You see, the harbor masters know the local waters like the back of their hand. They are in the same waters everyday and understand the currents, the hidden barriers, and how to effectively navigate the harbor. In other words, they understand the culture of the local harbor in the ways that the outside ship captain may never understand; harbormasters are the expert of their harbor and should be treated as such. Sometimes we are looking to ship captains for advice, when it is really the harbor master’s voice that needs to be heard.

I think the same context is true for our work at Mission Adelante and other organizations working in diverse settings. I can’t fully understand the culture of another group, but I can look to their leadership when working through challenges and encourage others to partner with those who have been overlooked in the past. The refugee leaders who participated in KCLE were heard that day and it is my prayer that the voice of refugees continues to be heard in our community. We need the experience of both the ship captain and the harbormaster, and the wisdom to look to the right one for leadership at the right times.

In Other News:

  • The Bhutanese citizenship class went to Kaw Point last week to learn more about how Kansas City fit into the early expansion of the U.S. Field trips like this one give students a deeper understanding of classroom concepts and build relationships between students and volunteers.

Prayer Needs:

  • Kids Adelante Director Megan McDermott and some key volunteers are delving into the topics of purity and finding our identity in Christ with 10-12 pre-teen girls throughout this week.  We would appreciate your prayers as we navigate these delicate, but important subjects.
  • This Saturday our teens ministries will be attending a collaborative event with teens from around the city. Mission Adelante is excited to partner with our friends from Christ Community Church, The Hope Center, Youth Front in the Argentine and Christian Fellowship Church in such a fun endeavor. Pray that our kids would have a good experience getting to know one another,  learning about each other’s cultures and experiences, and that our participation would point them to Jesus.
  • Please pray that the right students would come to the right events for the rest of this Summer, as we finish up this Bhutanese teens trimester. We often spend a lot of time trying to orchestrate for good attendance. However, we know that God will draw and move hearts wherever he wants them. Join us in praying that we will have a good showing from the students who God has prepared to come.

Important Dates

Saturday, August 8 at 4:00 p.m.: End-of-Trimester Celebrations at Wyandotte County Lake Park (Park Entrance at 91st Street and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. For both parties, enter the park and take a left at the fork in the road.)

  • Bhutanese Celebration in Shelter #6.  We will start to gather at 4:00 and will kick off our program around 5:00.  We will have food, cultural performances and lots of fun.  Bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and food to share!  Contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.
  • Latino Celebration in Shelter #10. Bring a dessert or another dish to share, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Contact Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org if you have any questions.

Bhutanese Youth Police Academy

written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Middle School Apprentice

written by Drew Hammond, Bhutanese Middle School Apprentice

We strive to help our students think creatively about their potential careers; to help them see that there are more jobs than just working in factories and shipping plants. To expose the Bhutanese youth to more careers, we took our Teens Club students to the Kansas City Kansas Police Academy. Our students learned about a new career and they received warm welcome from the team of officers that gave the presentations.

Not only did the officers give fun and dynamic presentations with many of the tools and gadgets they use in the field, they worked hard to connect relationally with our students. I was encouraged by the officers asking our students about their stories, past and future. The officers expressed how they love hearing about other cultures and how they wished they could spend more time with our students.

The officers were clear about the tasks they do. Anything from paperwork to making arrests. We were also given a look into various departments, ranging from Community Policing to the SWAT Team and Bomb Squad. They focused on our greatest tools being our minds. Both in the importance of higher education and the ability to diffuse situations with relational skill before resorting to force.

We received more than we thought we would in our trip to the Kansas City Kansas Police Academy. We knew our students would receive exposure to the career of police work. By the end of the day our students had not only learned what it means to be a police officer, they also came away with a deeper feeling of trust with the officers who strive to protect our homes.

What I Love About English Class

Written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

Written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

We’ve been hosting English classes for the Bhutanese community more than 5 years now. Over time, several things have changed. Our structure isn’t exactly the same, our lead teachers rotate in and out, our students and volunteers come and go. But there are a few things that really define our time together on Tuesday nights, and I love them.

Community

English class is all about community. Conversation partners truly welcome students. They share life together, learning about family and genuinely enjoying each other. Many students are home all day, cooking or caring for children, and coming to English class is a chance to meet with their friends. It’s a bright spot in their week. We cheer for each other’s successes and care for each other’s burdens with health and family. Volunteers often visit students in their homes, adding so much more depth to our time together in class.

Culture

There are very few places in Kansas city where Bhutanese Nepali culture is valued and celebrated. We love being one of the places where it is. Volunteers love learning about food, language, family life and celebrations of the Bhutanese refugee community. Students are welcomed exactly for who they are, even as we help them meet their goals in language learning.

Fun

I can’t remember a class where something funny didn’t happen. Learning language is very challenging, and without some humor, it can be downright frustrating. We use lots of gestures in our attempts to bridge language barriers. We aim to create a safe place to try new things and  make mistakes. Laughter is a key ingredient for that, and the friendships laughter creates are incredibly valuable as well.

In Other News

  • This Summer the Bhutanese teens ministry has broken out of our regular weekly schedule to do a variety of fun events. Next week we'll be visiting several work places to learn about the kinds of jobs they offer. We are hoping this experience will aid the teens as they consider their post-secondary educational and career options.
  • Our Kid’s Camps were an amazing time of fellowship, fun, and sharing Jesus.  Thank you so much to Christ Church Anglican, Emmanuel Baptist, and Shoal Creek for blessing our kids with all of your hard work and love!
  • One of our Bhutanese English students passed her citizenship exam last month! She shared her experience with the class this week, and we hope it will encourage others to keep working hard towards their goal.

Important Dates

  • July 9 & 16 (Latino outreach), July 14 (Bhutanese outreach): Bring A Friend/Get Acquainted nights.  If you or someone you know wonders what goes on around here on a typical night of programming, come on up/bring him or her up to find out!

Kids Camp 2015: Locking Arms and Having Fun

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Children's Ministry Director

Partnership is often times described as locking arms with someone.  In the literal sense, when you lock arms with someone you have to think about a variety of logistics: whether you and the other party are moving, how fast each of you is going, whether you're of compatible heights to reach one another's arm. If you don't take those things into consideration, someone might end up falling on the floor, or you may totally miss the person you are attempting to lock arms with.

At Mission Adelante, we are blessed to be in partnership, both formally and informally, with many churches, organizations and individuals.  In the summer, one of the biggest expressions of our partnerships with three local churches is our Kids Camps, which are our version of VBS.

For 10 evenings during three consecutive weeks, we lock arms with the youth ministries from Shoal Creek Community Church, Christ Church Anglican and Emmanuel Baptist Church to have tons of fun on our soccer field with as many neighborhood kids as we can round up.  We run, play games, share the love of Jesus and sometimes literally lock arms. This year, we had record setting numbers of participants, with 120 kids the first night!   We are grateful for the partnerships which afford us the opportunity to love and serve KCK kids.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • June 30-July 4: Summer Break.  No programs.
  • July 7 & 14 (Bhutanese outreach), July 9 & 16 (Latino outreach): Bring A Friend/Get Acquainted nights.  If you or someone you know wonders what goes on around here on a typical night of programming, come on up/bring him or her up to find out!

Learning English and Meeting Jesus

This article is part of a series written by Ruth Anne Burrell about Mission Adelante. You can read about Ruthie, visit her website or read this article on her blog.

This article is part of a series written by Ruth Anne Burrell about Mission Adelante. You can read about Ruthie, visit her website or read this article on her blog.

“Sometimes you remember God only when you have a problem,” Yuri said.

Often, this attitude is a sign of a fair-weather Christian, but for Yuri, seeking God in the midst of trouble marked the beginning of a completely new journey with Jesus.

It was August 2013, and Yuri and his wife were in the process of immigrating to the United States from Cuba. The officials handed him his documents and said, “Welcome to the United States”…but they asked his wife to remain behind.

Yuri felt fear rising from the pit of his stomach as he realized he had no idea how long they would have to wait. It could be a mere two or three hours; it could be a full day; it could be longer. In that moment, he began to pray harder than he had ever prayed in his life.

Faith hadn’t played much of a part in his life before. His grandmother was Catholic, and his mother prayed frequently and enjoyed a good relationship with God, but he himself had never practiced any religion. Before he left Cuba, his mother told him she would be praying for him, but Yuri shrugged her comment off, thinking it a little strange.

In the immigration office, however, he saw the results of prayer when his wife came through only twenty minutes after he did.

Once they had entered the United States, Yuri and his wife headed to Kansas City. He had two cousins living in KC and thought it might be easier to find a job there than in Florida where other Cuban immigrants often chose to go. Today, he sees God’s hand in the decision.

“I think God said, ‘No, no, no [to Florida]. You are my son. You come to Kansas City because you need to meet Mission Adelante. You need to meet some people here.’”

Yuri and his wife first heard of Mission Adelante through one of his wife’s Cuban friends who told them about the English classes the ministry offered. Because they both needed to learn English, they decided to go and were amazed at how the people there showed love to them.

A few weeks later, Jarrett Meek, the founder of Mission Adelante, invited them to come to the Latin house church. Their lack of knowledge about Jesus and the church made them uncertain whether this would be a good fit for them. However, since the Mission Adelante staff had grown to feel like family, they accepted Jarrett’s invitation.

“The first time was pretty funny,” Yuri said. “During worship, my wife…all the time she was crying. I thought, ‘Wow. Maybe this is not a good place for us.’”

But two or three weeks later, after they had continued to witness the staff’s love for them through their English classes, they decided to try attending church again. This time they enjoyed the service a little more. And so they came back again. And every time they returned, they saw themselves growing in faith.

“We understand every week a little more about Jesus, about God,” he said. Six months later, they decided to be baptized.

A few months after that, Yuri began considering another big change. When he first arrived in the United States, he struggled at work because of how impatient his manager was with Yuri’s growing but still new English skills. Then he found a job under a new boss, who followed Jesus, patiently taught him new skills, and, knowing how Yuri missed the ocean, invited him to use his personal pool.

After finding Jesus, though, Yuri was feeling a call to become a pastor. “I love how the people [at Mission Adelante] love the Latin people,” he told Jarrett. “I would like to be like you.”

When he first talked to Jarrett, there were no available positions at Mission Adelante, but in January 2015, the opportunity arose for Yuri to take on a 3-year apprenticeship there. He approached his boss with some apprehension to talk about his resignation, but his boss was thrilled for him and his new opportunity.

Now, every morning, Yuri meets with Jarrett and another pastor and apprentice to discuss Scripture. Then in the afternoons, he works in one of the Mission Adelante programs, such as Leaders in Training or Kids Club.

He loves building relationships with people from Latin cultures and showing them God’s love through enjoying life together. Most of all, he tries to point out the similarities between them.

“You and me, we are the same,” he will tell them. “We are only different [in that] I think you need to meet Jesus…. You don’t have to forget your past, your culture, or your family – the change is your relationship with God. You don’t need to change your friends or change your family. No. Change your heart – only that.”

in other news:

  • We are having a great second week (of three in a row) of Kids Camp with our friends from Christ Church Anglican.  Please join us in praying for good weather as we finish up this summer's Kids Camps next week with our friends from Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Finding Family with People from Other Places

The Northlake Youth Group at Adelante Thrift

The Northlake Youth Group at Adelante Thrift

Written by Kristen Maxwell, Bhutanese Children's Ministry Director

You never know when a seed is going to be planted.  God works in ways that we don't understand, and oftentimes his plan is beyond anything we can imagine for ourselves.  Ten years ago, I accepted a position as a summer youth ministry intern at a church in Tucker, GA, a suburb of Atlanta.  In that first summer at Northlake, I formed deep relationships, and this church, a 14 hour drive from home, became like family to me.

I returned to Northlake for three additional summers as a youth and kids ministry intern.  Before walking with my friends at Northlake, I had never met a refugee, or spent much time with immigrants. During my second summer there, the Lord used Northlake's connections with the refugee community and in their neighborhood to plant the seed that has drawn me in to community with people from other places, and my life is so much better because of it.

Last week, Mission Adelante hosted the youth group from Northlake, a youth group that looks a lot like ours, filled with kids from many places.  During their time here they served, played and learned alongside many of the Bhutanese Middle School students.

At Mission Adelante, we value relationships and partnerships and last week was a beautiful picture of this.  We are grateful for the churches that support us both near and far.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (NLT)

Northlake Teens straighten up the library at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Northlake Teens straighten up the library at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Northlake teens prepare toiletries for distribution at St. Paul's Episcopal Church food pantry

Northlake teens prepare toiletries for distribution at St. Paul's Episcopal Church food pantry

Paul, youth minister from Northlake, teaches Northlake and Kansas City youth during Kids Club at Mission Adelante

Paul, youth minister from Northlake, teaches Northlake and Kansas City youth during Kids Club at Mission Adelante

Northlake teens serve at Adelante Thrift

Northlake teens serve at Adelante Thrift

important dates:

  • June 30-July 4: Summer Break.  No programs.
  • July 7 & 14 (Bhutanese outreach), July 9 & 16 (Latino outreach): Bring A Friend/Get Acquainted nights.  If you or someone you know wonders what goes on around here on a typical night of programming, come on up/bring him or her up to find out!

Drawn Toward Ministry

This article is part of a series written by Ruth Anne Burrell about Mission Adelante. You can read about Ruthie, visit her website or read this article on her blog. 

This article is part of a series written by Ruth Anne Burrell about Mission Adelante. You can read about Ruthie, visit her website or read this article on her blog. 

Edgar Soriano had just started attending Mission Adelante’s new program for teens, and a volunteer was leading him through a list of questions for an aptitude test designed to help the students determine their various gifts and abilities.

“Why do we have to answer these questions?” he asked. “These are dumb.”

“Well, do you believe we’re here for a reason?” the volunteer asked him.

“Not really,” Edgar admitted.

The volunteer proceeded to ask him if he believed in Jesus and if he wanted to accept Jesus into his life. Edgar went along with it, praying the prayer, even though he didn’t really believe. Not yet anyway. But today, he looks back at that moment as a turning point because it was the first time he had thought about the important questions of “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?”

Edgar first began attending Mission Adelante’s after-school program as a thirteen-year-old who was struggling to behave and follow the rules. For a young teen who had never known his biological father, the family-oriented Mission Adelante was a godsend.

“Coming here and having that feeling of family just switched gears on me,” he explained.

Edgar gradually became more involved with the ministry, accepting Jesus and then learning from one of the program mentors how to play the bass guitar. One Sunday, he was scheduled to play with an Adelante worship band, and he invited his family to come watch.

“I didn’t expect anything [to come out] of it,” he said. “But sure enough, we had just started the service when they came in through the back. Ever since that day, my mom especially has been passionately coming, and they’re involved in the church too.”

After that, Edgar steadily continued to grow and take on more leadership until he accepted a summer internship with Mission Adelante, then a year-long internship, and finally, a 3-year apprenticeship. Today, as part of his apprenticeship, he acts as director of the Adelante teens program, though he also works frequently with the younger students involved in the Leaders in Training program.

The transition to leadership was sometimes a struggle. Often, during his time in the teens program, people would compliment Edgar on his leadership abilities and tell him they could picture him leading a program like this someday. He didn’t think much about their words…yet today, he is in the exact place they predicted. Every step of the way, he has seen God guiding him in this direction.

He remembers one mentor in particular who had a positive effect on him during his teen years. “David helped me see where I was wanting to go…. [After high school] I didn’t continue on to college, and so I was a little lost as to how my life would continue,” he explained. “I put myself down a lot, but once I started this path of ministry, I’ve seen how I’ve grown…. [David and his wife] were sort of my guides.”

Since then, Edgar has had the opportunity to act as a mentor to a number of young boys in the kids and teens programs. “I can connect to them, being Hispanic/Latino, being a male teenager. Our boys here don’t really have godly, male figures. Me being here – that’s an opportunity.”

In fact, working with kids and teens has been the biggest highlight of Edgar’s time at Mission Adelante. “I have definitely enjoyed watching some of my boys growing up. In some of them, I see things [and think], ‘Hey, I used to be like that.’ And so, seeing them change into something good…it has definitely been a highlight for me.”

Edgar’s faith and relationship with Jesus has grown and strengthened throughout his time at Mission Adelante, especially through daily discipleship and time spent studying Scripture with other Adelante leaders during his internships and apprenticeship.

“Throughout the process [of my internships], I became strongly attached to Jesus,” he said. “The whole path that I have taken here, God has definitely been pulling me in. Even times when I felt like ‘I don’t belong here,’ or think, ‘I want to do something else,’ God’s like, ‘Nope. You’re mine. This is where I want you.’”

Adelante Thrift’s "Stock the Store Summer"

Attention all volunteers!  You're invited to be a part of community transformation by participating in the first ever, "Stock the Store Summer" at Adelante Thrift!  Our warehouse is bursting at the seams, but demand is so high at our store that we can't keep enough merchandise on the shelves!  From day one customers have loved Adelante Thrift for it's customer service, clean and spacious environment, and quality products.  Our customer base is outstanding already and we're exceeding our sales projections for the first two months, but to reach our community development goals, we need more volunteers to help us move merchandise "from bag to rack" and keep our shelves stocked and well-organized.

This summer we are praying for and working hard to involve individuals and groups from across the city in fun and easy volunteer opportunities that are part of transforming our community! Serve times are available Monday through Saturday and even some evenings each week.  Visit www.adelantethrift.com/volunteer to sign up as an individual or group and we'll follow up to schedule a time that works for you!

CURRENT NEEDS:

  • White t-shirts in adult sizes small-large for an upcoming Bhutanese Teens ministry event. If you are able to provide some please contact Hannah at hannahh@missionadelante.org.
  • Volunteers to serve weekly during our summer trimester, between the week of June 1 and the week of August 3.
    • Tuesday evenings: 
      • Kids Club: 3 volunteers
      • High-school Teens Club: 2-4 mentors--get to know the teens at events throughout the summer with the intention of forming relationships for discipleship this fall and beyond.
      • One regular shuttle driver and one substitute driver (No CDL required!)
    • Thursday evenings:
      • Kids Adelante: 3 volunteers
  • A male mentor to co-lead a Bhutanese Kids Club group made up of 5th-6th grade boys this summer and into the fall trimester.  We are hoping to fill this position with someone who would stay through the fall and transition to Middle School with the group.  For more information, contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
  • Containers to organize and store books and staple food bags in our Resource Center as they await distribution. Specifically, we're looking for 13" by 15" filing crates for the books, and 19 gallon locking storage totes for the food baskets. Please e-mail Molly M. at mollym@missionadelante.org with any questions, or if you can help.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, May 30, 9:00-1:00
  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!
  • Summer trimester programs launch: Week of June 1

History Comes Alive for the Leaders In Training

Written by Megan McDermott, Latino Children's Ministry Director

When I was a little girl, I remember the mystery and excitement that surrounded the words “field trip.” Field trips provided the opportunity to explore a topic of interest and to experience something new.   It didn’t matter where we were going or what we were doing as long as we were taking a break from the monotony of sitting in the classroom!

After learning about pioneers and westward expansion in LIT, our after-school tutoring and character development program, the Leaders In Training family had the fun opportunity to visit the Steamboat Arabia Museum together, located in the River Market.  The Steamboat Arabia sank in the Missouri River near Kansas City, Kansas on September 5, 1856 carrying 200 tons of cargo, much of which is on display in the museum.  It was the perfect place to let the children explore, discover, and connect with history.  We even had the privilege of meeting one of the main excavators of the Arabia that happened to be there that day as a guest lecturer!  It was incredible to see how engaged the children were in exploring the past and how history came alive for them.  It is enormously fulfilling to see the thirst for knowledge ignited in a child!

At Mission Adelante, we believe that developing individuals to reach their potential as disciples and leaders is how ministry bears fruit.  One of the things I feel called to do with the children of LIT is to invest in the students’ growth into well-rounded, Christian leaders that are innovative thinkers.  I’m grateful for the enriching activities, like our trip to the Steamboat Arabia Museum, that we’ve shared.

In other news:

  • The application process for next year's Leaders in Training programs has begun.  Twenty-one new applicants came to the informational meeting last Saturday, in addition to the students that will be returning! We feel so grateful that God would entrust us with leading these amazing children.

CURRENT NEEDS:

  • Volunteers to serve weekly during our summer trimester, between the week of June 1 and the week of August 3.
    • Tuesday evenings: 
      • Kids Club: 3 volunteers
      • High-school Teens Club: 2-4 mentors--get to know the teens at events throughout the summer with the intention of forming relationships for discipleship this fall and beyond.
      • One regular shuttle driver and one substitute driver
    • Thursday evenings:
      • Kids Adelante: 3 volunteers
  • Bhutanese Kids Club is looking for a male mentor to co-lead a Kids Club group made up of 5th-6th grade boys this summer, and into the fall trimester.  We are hoping to fill this position with someone who would stay through the fall and transition to Middle School with the group.  For more information, contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
  • Our Resource Center needs containers to organize and store books and staple food bags as they await distribution. Specifically, we're looking for 13" by 15" filing crates for the books, and 19 gallon locking storage totes for the food baskets. Please e-mail Molly M. at mollym@missionadelante.org with any questions, or if you can help.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, May 30, 9:00-1:00
  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!
  • Summer trimester programs launch: Week of June 1

Immigration and Missions

Written by Hannah Hume, Bhutanese Teens Ministry Coordinator

It’s almost Summertime. Summer in the church world means mission trip season. Teenagers and adults alike will fill buses and planes and travel around the globe. Maybe you are planning on going on a mission trip this Summer. Did you know that many of the people that we travel around the world to reach with the gospel are coming to Kansas City? Immigrants and refugees: people from Nepal, Burma, Latin America, and various parts of Africa, just to mention some of the places of origin, are now living here in Kansas City. Immigration is bringing the mission field here to our very own city.

Many of these immigrants and refugees have faced unimaginable trials prior to their arrival in America. As you hear of upheaval, war, violence, and poverty in other parts of the world, it can be hard to find hope in the stories. Throughout the Bible, too, we see people being forced to move to new lands.  In Genesis, Joseph is sold as a slave by his brothers and trafficked to a foreign land.  Early in his life, Jesus’ parents flee their home with him for his protection.  In the book of Acts, believers often faced persecution, forcing them to become refugees on the move.  But we keep reading, and we see God’s redemptive purposes!  Through Joseph’s unique position, we see God save the entire nation of Israel from an extended famine.  We see prophecy about Jesus fulfilled.  And as the early believers moved from place to place, we see the gospel spread with them.

We believe that the  influx of refugees and immigrants isn’t a nuisance, nor a coincidence. We believe that God has a divine plan for our new neighbors’ lives and that he wants to expand his kingdom in them and through them.

While traveling to places around the world can be exciting and necessary, the increasing diversity in our city is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked. People who may not have previously had access to the gospel now live here, in our city, and should be the recipients of the love, hospitality, and truth Jesus has given us to share.

Mission Adelante would like to invite you to come and join us on the mission field in our own backyard. We are seeking to serve, share life, and share Jesus with the immigrant and refugee in our midst. We want to see our neighborhood and our world transformed for the glory of Jesus Christ. Will you consider joining us? No passport needed.

Our Volunteer Training in preparation for our Summer Trimester will be on Saturday, May 30 from 9:00-1:00.  It's a great way for someone to become familiar with Mission Adelante's ministry in just one sitting. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about what we do, and about our volunteer opportunities, please plan to attend/encourage him or her to plan on attending this informative training, and to contact Morgan at morganh@missionadelante.org for all the details.

current needs:

  • Volunteers to serve weekly during our summer trimester, between the week of June 1 and the week of August 3.
    • Tuesday evenings: 
      • Kids Club: 3 volunteers
      • High-school Teens Club: 2-4 mentors--supporting roles this summer, with more in-depth roles starting this fall.
      • One regular shuttle driver and one substitute driver
    • Thursday evenings:
      • Kids Adelante: 3 volunteers
  • Bhutanese Kids Club is looking for a male mentor to co-lead a Kids Club group made up of 5th-6th grade boys this summer, and into the fall trimester.  We are hoping to fill this position with someone who would stay through the fall and transition to Middle School with the group.  For more information, contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.
  • Our Resource Center needs containers to organize and store books and staple food bags as they await distribution. Specifically, we're looking for 13" by 15" filing crates for the books, and 19 gallon locking storage totes for the food baskets. Please e-mail Molly M. at mollym@missionadelante.org with any questions, or if you can help.

important dates:

  • Volunteer Training: Saturday, May 30, 9:00-1:00
  • All Volunteer Huddle & Dessert: Monday, June 1, 6:30 p.m. We encourage everyone that will be volunteering with us during our Summer trimester to attend so we can prepare for a great launch!
  • Summer trimester programs launch: Week of June 1

​

Please Pray for the Timberlakes in Nepal

Dear friends,

The earthquake in Nepal last week has disturbed and saddened us all.  With many of our Bhutanese friends having been born or having lived for years in Nepal before coming to the United States, there is an especially deep connection for the Mission Adelante community to this tragedy.  In fact, in God's providence, Lauren Timberlake, our Bhutanese ESL director, and her family are in Nepal currently on a 10-week mission trip working with an emerging partner ministry called Beautiful Gate.

The Timberlakes are safe, but they have experienced the devastation of the earthquake first-hand and have become part of the relief effort in their own neighborhood in Kathmandu.  We have included a link to the Timberlakes' blog and the post they made just after the earthquake hit.  Please pray with us for our friends in Nepal and for the Timberlakes.

Many of you have asked if you can support the relief effort in Nepal through Mission Adelante.  If you would like to give financially, we would encourage you to do so through our partner ministry there called, The Beautiful Gate, a ministry that works with people with disabilities.  The Beautiful Gate Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

written by Drew Timberlake
We had a 7.9 earthquake with epicenter 50 miles away. It was big enough here to knock us off our feet. Lauren, Ollie and I were upstairs, and Lois and Ezra were outside and started running up the stairs to find us when the tremors started. I ran to the stairwell and basically fell down the stairs to get to Lois and Ezra who were not able to stand.
I grabbed them ran outside and noticed a big dust cloud from a house that fell next to us. So I started yelling at Lauren and Ollie to get out of the house all the while trying to stay on our feet.
Everyone made it safely outside into an undeveloped plot of land in front of our house.
When the shaking finally ended (maybe 60 seconds or so) someone started yelling that people were stuck in a house that collapsed next door. I ran over there, and all I could see was a large pile of bricks and a few people climbing on them. A couple people were moving a few random bricks.
Then I saw a guy working very hard who was covered with dust… through broken communication I gathered he knew where the people were. So I started helping him… somehow his two little toddlers were stuck in the corner of the house. I got everyone off the top of the pile of bricks (so it wouldn’t collapse any further) and we were able to fish the kids out through a small little window which you can see in the pictures under the stairs. They were a little scratched up but other than that okay. One was maybe 1 year old and the other 2 or 3.
Other than that, our immediate neighbors are okay. One lady went into labor because of the trauma but they were able to get her to an ambulance. A couple other women fainted but are fine. We stayed outside with around 100 neighbors in the field for 3 hours and until most of the aftershocks subsided.
Bikash and all his family are okay. Church services were going on, which are located in an earthquake proof building that wad recently built. The worst thing that happened was a huge wall (1/4 mile at least) across the street fell down and took out cars and electrical poles. The police came and asked us to help look for reported bodies under the wall. We pulled up bricks for the better part of an hour but didn’t find any signs of anyone.
The members of the church (most are disabled and live in shoddy houses) were with them and safe. They actually just moved the church service outside and kept singing.
We’ve had many aftershocks that have been small. We walked to meet our friends at church around 3:30. Everyone here is fine. We will sleep here tonight on the floor.
There are many children staying here for medical treatment in katmandu. They are here with a parent, but the rest of their families live in villages all over Nepal. Pray they can talk to their families by phone–some have had trouble with jammed lines.
Tomorrow we will hear much more, and I will likely go with Bikash to see where we can help. Thank you for your prayers!

Adelante Thrift Celebrates Transformation and Collaboration at Our Grand Opening!

by Jarrett Meek, Pastor & Executive Director, Mission Adelante, Inc.

Few times have I felt more supported or more proud than I did at Adelante Thrift's grand opening celebration the Saturday before last.   Local leaders, organizations, and businesses gathered around to pray with members of our community in four languages and watch as a group of community leaders from four different countries cut the ribbon together and announced the beginning of this new sustainable ministry initiative.  I was proud of the Mission Adelante community for having realized a dream and for having become owners and stakeholders of a project that is much bigger than any of us imagined.

The larger KCK community showed up in a big way to support us that day.  Partner organizations whom we've known and worked alongside for many years were present to cheer us on.  More recent partners were there as well, making the atmosphere festive and fun.  The wide variety of organizations that hosted booths in front of the store during the first several hours of the event symbolized, in many ways, the transformation God is doing in our city.  From immigrant-owned businesses and a small college to youth sports leagues, Christian ministries, and a family-owned grocery store that has been in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, our community came together to celebrate collaboration and transformation!  A representative from the Mayor's office came by, as well as a city commissioner, a Kansas State Representative, and a the President of our neighborhood association.

As the day unfolded, balloons, coffee, ice cream, mango juice, and fresh produce were shared outside the store, while a steady flow of customers enjoyed the fun and some pretty amazing deals inside.  Meanwhile, volunteers sorted, racked and priced clothing and other items in our production area, cared for customers, and reorganized our warehouse.  As I reflect on this day, my heart is filled with gratitude to our Lord for all of those who contributed to make this dream come true: for board members, donors, contractors, community members, volunteers, partner churches, partner ministries and businesses, and the staff of Mission Adelante and Adelante Thrift.  What a joy it is to be part of such a thriving and vibrant community!  We are indeed transforming our community together!  Jesus is indeed transforming our community!

Current needs:

  • Volunteers to serve weekly during our summer trimester, between the week of June 1 and the week of August 3.
    • Tuesday evenings: 
      • Kids Club: 3 volunteers
      • High-school Teens Club: 2-4 mentors--supporting roles this summer, with more in-depth roles starting this fall.
      • One regular shuttle driver and one substitute driver
    • Thursday evenings:
      • Kids Adelante: 3 volunteers
  • We are getting close to completing the rehab on the youth ministry house!  We really need a few volunteers to help us cross the finish line.  If you can help with things like installing bathroom fixtures, installing mirrors, hanging window coverings, and general construction clean-up, etc; please contact Sarah at sarahw@missionadelante.org
  • In modeling our commitment to community development, we want our grounds to reflect the beauty and pride of ownership of our community.  Please contact Sarah at sarahw@missionadelante.org, if you would like to donate some flowering plants or ground covering to beautify our space and help us put our best face forward.

Adelante Thrift's Grand Opening: A Celebration of Collaboration! April 11th, 9:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

by Jarrett Meek, Pastor, Executive Director, Mission Adelante, Inc.

Chuck Allen and youth from the Urban Scholastic Center pray before volunteering at Adelante Thrift.

Chuck Allen and youth from the Urban Scholastic Center pray before volunteering at Adelante Thrift.

What better way to celebrate the Grand Opening of Adelante Thrift than with 15 partner businesses and organizations that have impacted Mission Adelante and have been a part of our community's ongoing transformation!  The fact is, our KCK community has been, and is being transformed by many individuals, businesses, and organizations who have invested time, effort, and resources in making our neighborhood a better place to live.  Some organizations, like Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC) have been focusing on quality, affordable housing.  Others, like Urban Scholastic Center and Bethel Neighborhood Center invest in children and youth to develop leaders from our own neighborhood.  Chas Ball Sunfresh made a huge leap a few years ago by moving from its location  at 18th and Central to become the anchor for the new shopping center that replaced an abandoned truck stop and a run down motel.  KCK RBI started by Cle Ross, a KCK native, is "reviving baseball in the inner city."  This list goes on friends!  God is doing a beautiful work in our neighborhood, and it's a joy to be a part of it!  

This Saturday, April 11, Adelante Thrift will hold a grand opening celebration to feature many of our neighborhood partners, expose our community to the new store, and to thank all of those who have helped the dream of a thrift store that transforms our community become a reality.  There will be a brief ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. before the store opens at 10:00 for business.  Partners will host tables in front of the store promoting their own products and programs until 1:00 p.m. and the celebration will continue throughout the day until the store closes at 6:00 p.m.  We invite you to come by the store that day join the fun!

To volunteer as an individual, group or family, visit www.adelantethrift.com/volunteer

Current needs:

  • The Bhutanese Leaders In Training are looking forward to shopping at the "Mission Adelante Money Reward Store" on April 29th.  We are in need of small items that the kids can "purchase" as rewards for their extra work this trimester.  Candy, cosmetics, craft items and soccer stuff is extremely popular. If you are able to contribute, please email Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org.

Little by Little: Literacy Learning Progress

Written by Lauren Timberlake, Bhutanese ESL Director

A year ago, I wrote about the beginnings of a basic literacy program in the Bhutanese English classes.

The overall literacy rate for Bhutanese refugees is 65%, with young people representing a large portion of those who can read or write in any language. Most of the students in the Bhutanese English classes are over 40, and many have not had more than a few years of primary school if any education at all.

Through one-on-one coaching and tools like writing worksheets, dry erase boards, and early readers, many students are making steady progress towards their goal of reading and writing English. At least two students went from very little English literacy to reading sentences from a textbook this year. It is good to watch them work hard and succeed.

Increasing English skills improves refugees’ ability to find work and function well in America. It’s also one of the best ways for them to feel truly at home in Kansas City.

English is also required to pass the U.S. citizenship exam. Applicants have to answer questions about themselves and about U.S. history and government. There’s a reading section and a writing section made from a word bank of about 200 words.

Little by little, our students are building up their ability to read and write these 200 words. Even students with very low literacy skills have great motivation to pass this exam. They practice writing these words over and over again in class and at home.

Our volunteers tirelessly sit beside them, coaching and cheering, celebrating each small victory. Join us in praying for these students to beat the odds and master enough English to pass their U.S citizenship exams and enjoy life in Kansas City.

A Great Serve Opportunity for Individuals, Groups, and Families at Adelante Thrift!

by Jarrett Meek, Pastor/Executive Director, Mission Adelante, Inc.

"We can feel the love of God in this place!"  What an amazing compliment for our brand new thrift store!  I believe that customers have been saying things like this because of volunteers who have gone the extra mile in serving!  It's exciting that the love of Christ can be expressed in so many ways, including through a retail store!  We invite you to be a part of loving and transforming a community by serving as a volunteer at Adelante Thrift!

Adelante Thrift opened it's doors to the public on March 14th, and now we're excited to offer fun, high-impact volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups and families!  With the doors open and all systems "go", volunteers helping with production (sorting, racking, steaming, pricing, and stocking) and department displays (organizing/decorating specific departments) will become one of our most important keys to success.  Keeping items on the shelves, priced low, and organized beautifully attracts customers AND provides the kind of pleasant shopping environment that makes people say, "Wow, somebody really cares!"  That somebody, of course, is Jesus , working through you!  

We invite you to come serve with us and transform community!  Serve once, serve occasionally, or serve on a regular basis!  Serve as an individual, a family, or serve with your group!  You make a difference!  

To sign up, please visit our volunteer page at www.adelantethrift.com/volunteer/!

n other news:

  • Thank you to many generous donors who have helped to stock our LIT snack bucket!

current needs:

  • Our Leaders in Training program has a “Mission Adelante Money Store” at the end of each trimester, where students spend “money” they have earned doing extra work and exhibiting behavior above and beyond what is expected of them to buy small prizes.  Our students have done an amazing job this year, and we need items for the store such as small toys and prizes of interest to 8-12 year old students by Tuesday, March 31st.  If you are interested in helping please contact Kristen Maxwell at kristenm@missionadelante.org or Megan McDermott at meganm@missionadelante.org.