We were on TV...

A Summer of Citizenship at Mission Adelante! 

by Veronica Garcia, ESL Manager


It’s been an exciting summer for the citizenship class here at Mission Adelante this summer.
Since the spring trimester didn’t bring as many new students as I hoped, I needed to make sure I got the word out sooner about the citizenship class this summer. I took flyers to immigration offices, stores, and posted flyers in different places on facebook, but none of the posts really took off…until one did!

I was just posting in groups as I routinely do before the beginning of each trimester and I decided to try it out in a local latina women’s group on facebook. When I logged on a few hours later after I had posted it, I was so surprised to see people interacting with the post and asking for more information. I had probably messaged 10 people that night. And the calls/texts began the flow in…people were saying they saw my post on facebook.

About a week before the citizenship launch, a LOT of people began calling Gissell. We were like, “This is really all from the facebook post?” Well…Another person interested in the class had called her and said they saw the information on TV. What?? Apparently Univision had picked it up and displayed the flyer on the local news. That was crazy!

(screenshot from Univision on facebook)

I began stressing from not having enough students to what if we have too many? We only have spots for 24 students in our beginner class. With the amount of calls Gissell and I were receiving, I was worried we would have to turn people away. Well, launch night came on May 30… and to my surprise and ease we had 16 new students register for the class! The following week we had 5 more come, so that’s a whopping 21 new registrations for our citizenship class. God is good. We had 20 in the beginners class and 8 returning students in our intermediate class. One of our returning students, Nancy, had recently passed her exam and interview about a month ago. I am so thankful for the volunteers that poured into her and helped her achieve citizenship. I’ve been feeling super happy and excited about what we are accomplishing in our citizenship program. 

Please pray for the citizenship program at Mission Adelante, that we can continue to receive more students and that we can effectively help these people apply and receive United States citizenship. It’s been so much fun learning about immigration law and helping people from different walks of life working towards the goal of American citizenship. I’m praying that the fall trimester will bring more students and volunteers so the program can continue to grow! 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the fall trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on Saturday, September 9th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/orientation

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.

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.

Arts Camp 2023

Arts Camp 2023

by Carla Flores, Kids Ministry Director


Arts Camp 2023 was so much fun this year! It couldn’t have happened without the help of so many great volunteers, all our friends at Christ Community Downtown Campus, our super helpful staff, and Mikya Wright, our new apprentice. Each person played a key role in the success of another year’s arts camp. Thank you to each and every one of you! Here is a quick rundown of my highlights day by day: 


Day 1: Our first day of Arts Camp was chaotic and crazy but so much fun! Over 70 kids walked through our doors bright and early, had breakfast with their new friends, and settled into their first day of classes. Since it was Juneteenth, our friends at The Hope Center stopped by and taught our students about the meaning and history behind this special day. Many of our students had prior knowledge about Juneteenth but for many it was a first time learning experience. Thank you Hope Center for stopping by and sharing with us! For lunch, Leah and Zach Boal, donated over 20 pizzas for us to enjoy on our first day. They were a tasty way to kick off a great, fun week. Thank you both for the delicious lunch! 

Day 2: Our second day at Arts Camp was more settled as the kids knew the routine and schedule for the day. Mikya was doing a great job of leading the volunteers and ensuring all our students were having fun but also staying safe. The Mission Adelante building was booming with noise from our music classes, fragrant smells from our candle making and cooking class, and sticky messes from arts and crafts class making pinatas! Brad Gregory, a long time friend and volunteer, joined us to teach the students about jazz and woodwind instruments. The crowd of over 70 students and 30 volunteers cheered him on as he played a wide range of instruments. Thank you Brad for an amazing lesson filled with fun and great music! 

Day 3: Our third day of Arts Camp was crazier as we received 80 students, our biggest group of the week! The students began to wrap up their classes and begin preparing for their presentations. Caroline Meek and Rachel Warren stopped by and taught our students all about clay art. They currently work at Epic Arts Clay Studio and brought along many beuatiful pieces of clay art to share with the kids. It was an amazing time filled with learning and sharing all about clay! Thank you to both of you for dedicating your time to teaching the kids and inspiring them to continue on their artistic journeys. 

Day 4: Before we knew it a week had gone by and it was the last day of Arts Camp! The students arrived excited but nervous to present in front of all the campers and share all they had learned. They headed off to prepare for their big presentations and in the mean time I began grilling over 200 hotdogs for our potluck. While the students presented, I headed off to secretly welcome KC Wolf and prepare him for his big surprise entrance! The kids were so excited to see him as they ate lunch outside and enjoyed a big celebration after a long week of fun and learning. 

Overall, Arts Camp 2023 was an amazing experience for volunteers and campers alike! It couldn’t have been so great without the help of wonderful volunteers and donors. A special thanks to Mikya for her budding leadership which I had the pleasure of witnessing this past week and the amazing ways she loved and cared for each one of the campers. I can’t wait until next year’s camp!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 10 -13

Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs. This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our summer 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.

Are you ready for Infinity 2023?

Are you ready for Infinity 2023?

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

The “Infinity 2023” campaign is an opportunity to make an impact that ripples forward through time to infinity, by supporting leadership development at Mission Adelante.  Our campaign goal is to raise $60k for our Community Leader Fund by August 6th.  Would you join us on this journey?

For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 10 -13

Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs. This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our summer 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Embracing Love and Service Together

Embracing Love and Service Together

by Yanelis Lopez, Associate Director

Whenever I have the opportunity to write an article, I love sharing about what's happening in our church, and the main reason is how proud I feel to belong to a flourishing community that is so focused on pursuing the great commandment, "To love God and those around us"... there is nothing more important than this!

In a world often marked by self-interest and individual pursuits, with everyone focused on their own needs and their family's situation, our church group stands out for its commitment to service. Our church has truly embodied the essence of a serving heart!

With the arrival of summer, several weeks ago, Shannon Hernandez (Operations Director) asked for help from everyone in the community to beautify the garden of Mission Adelante. Our community immediately wanted to participate, and despite a week of hard work, they were there to support. These times always bring so much more than just a day of work; it's an opportunity to converse, celebrate, laugh, and enjoy each other's company.

Thank you, friends, you are an example of love and service to me!

Siempre que tengo la oportunidad de escribir un articulo me encanta compartir sobre lo que esta pasando en nuestra iglesia, y la razon fundamental es lo orgullosa que me siento de pertenecer a una comunidad que florece y esta tan enfocada en perseguir el gran mandamiento “Amar a Dios y a quienes nos rodean”... no hay nada mas importante que esto! 

En un mundo a menudo marcado por el interés propio y las actividades individuales, todos enfocados en sus propias necesidades y la situación de su familia; nuestro grupo de la iglesia se destaca por su compromiso con el servicio. Nuestra iglesia verdaderamente ha encarnado la esencia de un corazón de servicio. 

Con la llegada del verano, hace varias semanas Shannon Hernandez (Director de Operaciones) nos pidió a todos en la comunidad ayuda para embellecer el jardín de Mission Adelante. Nuestra comunidad enseguida quiso participar, a pesar de una semana trabajando fuerte, allí estuvieron para apoyar. Estos tiempos siempre aportan mucho mas que un día de trabajo, es una oportunidad para conversar, celebrar, reir y disfrutar de la compañia uno con los otros.

Gracias amigos, ustedes son un ejemplo de amor y servicio para mi!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE
JULY 10 -13

Are you interested in taking the next step to volunteer?

Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs.

This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this summer trimester 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Summertime at Mission Adelante

Summertime at Mission Adelante

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director

From left to right: Lucy, Anisha, Camilo, Vanessa, Adiella, Julissa and Alana

Summertime at Mission Adelante is a blast! It is the time of year when we invite a special group of budding young leaders from our neighborhood to join our staff as summer interns. The internship is an intensive discipleship and leadership development experience that aims to help young people become passionate followers of Jesus and leaders in our community. This year, Lucy, Anisha, Camilo, Vanessa, Adiella, Julissa, and Alana have committed their summer to serving alongside us at Mission Adelante. Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to! 

An essential part of the internship is developing close relationships within the group early. What better way to do that than to spend a weekend away together! So, earlier this month, we traveled to Manhattan, Kansas for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Together we worshiped, laughed, played, exercised, made meals, explored the city, tried new sports, shared dreams, and even washed each others’ feet! I am always blown away by how quickly connections can build, regardless of age, gender, background, and even culture. God’s power is demonstrated in the way these interns moved from being acquaintances to friends in just one weekend!

Once we returned from a refreshing weekend away, it was time for the interns to get their hands dirty! The interns have taken on significant leadership responsibilities in Arts Community, Adelante Youth Club, and Kids Adelante under the tutelage of myself; Carla Flores, our Children’s Ministry Director; and Mikya Wright, a former summer intern herself and our new Ministry Apprentice! They are hanging out with kids, teaching Bible lessons, teaching creative classes, and even leading worship!

We have also spent time visiting and serving with other impactful ministries and nonprofits in our neighborhood. We literally got our hands dirty at the New Roots for Refugees’ Juniper Gardens Training Farm. New Roots for Refugees is a collaborative program between Catholic Charities and CultivateKC that provides farm training and market opportunities for refugee families that have settled in our neighborhood. Giving the Basics was also an eye-opening exposure trip for us. Giving the Basics distributes a host of hygiene necessities, often not covered by government assistance programs. We visited the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank (KC Fed) and toured the Money Museum with Daniel Nguyen, a volunteer in Mission Adelante’s Citizenship class. Daniel shared details about the history of U.S. currency and the importance of the KC Fed in managing the money supply of Kansas, Missouri and neighboring states. We learned a ton about upcycling at ScrapsKC, an organization that is focused on reducing waste in Kansas City with creative reuse while also supporting teachers and the unhoused community. We also paid a visit to our sister organization, Adelante Thrift. Adelante Thrift is located in our neighborhood on 38th St and State Ave and sells gently used clothing, furniture and more. Sales proceeds from the store cover around 25% of our expenses at Mission Adelante.  

This cohort of interns has already added a ton of value to our ministry. Please keep them in your prayers and feel free to send a note to their email (interns@missionadelante.org) with words of encouragement! If you feel moved to financially support our internship program and leadership development more broadly at Mission Adelante, consider giving to our summer fundraising campaign, Infinity 2023. Our goal is to raise $60k for the Community Leader Fund by August 6. Check this link for details www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE
JULY 10 -13

Are you interested in taking the next step to volunteer? Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs.

This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.

For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this summer trimester 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

The Journey to Infinity

The journey to infinity

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director


“I love you to the Moon and back, infinity times infinity.”  Each of my children heard that phrase as a consistent part of our bedtime routine more times than they could count.  Even if the concept of infinity is difficult to grasp, my children knew that it meant my love for them was without limits, that it rippled through space and time without ever reaching an endpoint.  

How can ministry impact reach to infinity and beyond? The answer is found in leadership development.  Investing in young leaders who will in turn develop others.  Like a wave of light emanating from a distant galaxy, the ripple effect of developing young people travels through generations to infinity, reaching times and places never imagined.  

A child grows up in our urban neighborhood.  She finds a safe place to learn about Jesus.  She learns and grows, receives love, encouragement and help in school.  She’s invited to serve her community.  Mentors invest in her life.  As a teenager, she joins an internship where she is challenged to begin leading in new ways.  She invests in younger kids.  Her peers come to her for advice.  Her love for Jesus continues to grow along with her love for her neighborhood and her heart for children and youth growing up in similar circumstances to her own.  She overcomes many obstacles to become the first person in her family to go to college.  She serves, she loves, she builds.  Her children know Jesus and they love others well.  She shares her life and life and love for Jesus.  She develops others and many “honor her for all that her hands have done.  Her works bring praise at the city gate” (Proverbs 31:31).  The journey to infinity has begun.

Join us for one of our summer Fundraising Events!

You’re invited to attend one of our two small fundraising events this summer.  Each event will be a unique KCK experience and will include dinner (no charge) and a classic Strawberry Hill view.  These events are part of our summer INFINITY 2023 campaign to raise funds for our leadership development initiatives at Mission Adelante.  We're hoping these pilot events will help us get a good start toward our summer campaign goal of $60,000.

The Mockingbird Lounge Patio- Thursday, June 15- 6:30-8:30: Enjoy a local taco truck dinner, fellowship, and a classic Strawberry HIll view of downtown KCMO on the Mockingbird Lounge patio.  Please RSVP Here by June 12th (If you forget to RSVP by that date, please contact us!).

Splitlog Coffee Rooftop- Saturday, June 17th- 6:30-8:30: Enjoy SLAPS Barbeque, a great cause, and a cool experience with a classic view of downtown KCMO, on the rooftop of Splitlog Coffee Shop.  Please RSVP Here by June 12th. (If you forget to RSVP by that date, please contact us!)

If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a contribution toward the Infinity 2023 campaign goal of $60,000, you may do so at www.missionadelante.org/infinity2023.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our summer 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 Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

When the Students Became the Teachers

When the Students Became the Teachers


Written by Yulia Wijata & David Tjiptogarson, ESL Volunteers


As another trimester teaching ESL at Mission Adelante came to an end,  I could not help but reflect and be thankful for the opportunity, the friendship, and the joy that David and I experienced in the past year and a half. 

It was late in 2020, at the end of a seemingly long and isolating pandemic year, that we were yearning for more community. The invitation to the volunteer orientation at Mission Adelante posted on our church’s Facebook page caught my eye. I had heard about the organization and its ministry working with the refugee and immigrant community in Kansas City, Kansas, years before but never took steps to find out more or made the commitment to serve. When we finally went to the orientation and learned about the different serving opportunities, we immediately felt the calling to get involved in the ESL program.

To be honest, in the beginning, I was a bit apprehensive at the thought of teaching English. My husband and I are immigrants ourselves, and English is not our native language. We had to learn English and American culture when we came to the United States over 30 years ago. While I was not confident in my ability to teach English and my lack of Spanish, I always felt a kinship with the immigrant community and thought that we had a unique perspective to offer since we had gone through the experience of learning a new language and adjusting to life in a new country.

We started in ESL Level 1, where we worked one-on-one with the students, helping them with simple tense and pronunciation of common words and phrases. In Level 2, we began to help the lead teacher with some sessions. We gained more confidence as we moved up to each level with our students, like Nancy and Manuel, who started the program in Level 1 with us. A few weeks ago, David and I just completed teaching Level 4 on our own!  We had a lot of fun because it was so much more than just teaching and learning English. David always started the class serving tea and cookies as we caught up on everybody’s week. We also played games, celebrated birthdays and the birth of a grandson, prayed for each other, and learned about different cultures. 

I’m not exaggerating when I say Thursday night is the highlight of our week.  We love teaching ESL and seeing our students progress and learn new things. We love hearing their stories and building relationships with each one of them. It’s inspiring to see the hard work they put in and the energy they bring to class each week because I know some of them come after a long day at work, but they always try their best to make it to class. 

Volunteering at Mission Adelante was one of the best serving experiences we ever did. It is a rewarding experience that taught us a lot about others and about ourselves. We found an amazing community and so much more.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start the summer trimester 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 one of our obseveration nights the second week of July. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

You Can’t Spell “Essential” Without ESL

You Can’t Spell “Essential” Without ESL


Written by Dan Taylor, Partner Engagement Volunteer.


My wife and I moved to Kansas almost 40 years ago. We came from Illinois, and we immediately noticed some things…

1.   People call it “69 Highway” and not “Highway 69.”

2.   69 Highway is one of the ways you can get to a town called “Olathe,” which is pronounced, “Oh-lay-thuh.”

3.   While you’re there, you can get an entrée or a sandwich called, “Burnt Ends” which doesn’t mean something bad happened to the ends, it means you’re about to have something delicious!

It’s a lot easier to live in Olathe if you know these things. In a short time, we sounded like natives, not people who had moved from two states over. And once our kids were born here, it was like we’d been here forever.

Those are just three quick examples of challenges you might face if you haven’t been here forever. If you’ve been here 3 weeks and you came from a place where almost every single thing was different, you can imagine how intimidating that could be.

 Now imagine your child is sick and you want to take them to a doctor. How do you find one? Will you be able to communicate?  And if you want to imagine even more, what about insurance?

 It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see that a working knowledge of English is the key that unlocks just about every good thing about living in America.

This is just one of the ways that a place like Mission Adelante provides a vital link to immigrants. ESL classes help make the experience of living in a new place a little less overwhelming, a little less intimidating, and, frankly, a little less scary.

 You don’t have to know the students’ native language to be a volunteer, and you don’t have to be an English major. I was anxious about this at first, but then I learned that the students are there to learn English, and if you only speak to them in English, that’s ideal!

You’ll be provided with materials and instructions that make it easy to help someone feel more at home here. You volunteer your time, and Mission Adelante does the rest.

My wife and I felt like this was home shortly after we arrived. The opportunity to help others overcome hurdles much larger than figuring out a BBQ menu and begin to think of this as their home too is as much a blessing for the volunteer as it is for the student.

 Drop by soon and see for yourself!

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start the summer trimester 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 one of our obseveration nights the second week of July. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Positive Affirmations

Positive Affirmations

by Veronica Garcia, ESL Manager


Have you ever woken up with a case of The Mondays? Not really my favorite day of the week…the thought of pending responsibilities in the morning is sometimes a damper to my day as soon as I wake up. When life is truly boggling you down, sometimes the last thing you want to do is actually deal with it.  But as a human in the real world, it’s impossible to avoid responsibility. Someone will always need our help, and most importantly, we need to help ourselves. As they used to teach in elementary school… “Responsibility begins with me!” 

This is not an article about avoiding responsibility, but actually about how we can motivate ourselves to tackle our responsibilities with a grateful heart. Earlier this week, I woke up on Monday with a normal case of the Mondays, but my mom reminded me that a positive outlook will make my day start and end a lot better. Daily positive affirmations are not something I do regularly, but probably need to start making a healthy habit of. There have been times where I have been in very stressful situations and just had to remind myself, “everything will be okay. I am brave, I am safe, and I will figure out a solution.” It truly changed my outlook on the situation and what do you know, I made it out just fine. It was then when I realized, “Okay, maybe this positive affirmation thing actually does work a little…”

So here are some positive affirmations that might be helpful when facing some chaotic moments….

  1. I am capable of achieving my goals and dreams. 

  2. I am strong and resilient in the face of challenges. 

  3. I am covered by the protection and peace of God, who guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) 

  4. I am grateful for the blessings in my life, and I will praise Him in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

  5. I am forgiven and made new through the grace of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

  6. I am constantly growing and improving as a person. 

  7. I have faith in God's plan for my life, knowing that all things work together for good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) 

  8. I am grateful for the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, which guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

  9. I choose to focus on positivity and let go of the negativity in my life. 

  10. I am worthy of love, respect, and happiness, and I will treat myself with kindness and compassion. 

Remember, these affirmations can help you focus on God's truth and promises in your life. You can personalize them to your own situation or use them as a general reminder of God's love and grace. 

I’ve been inspired recently by my older sister, Victoria. We were on the phone last week and she was telling me about the things going on in her life, both good and bad. When she finished sharing her struggles, she immediately followed up with, “You know what? I’m good. I’m staying positive because I know God’s got my back.” That’s all it is. God’s truly got your back, through the good and the bad. She shared that her view on life has changed so much in the last few months and has felt more peaceful since affirming herself and her situations with God at the forefront. God is the creator of positivity and good outcomes. I need to start dwelling on that truth!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation this coming Saturday, May 20th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start our summer 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.

Two Amazing Brother and Volunteers - The Pollock Brothers

Two Amazing Brother and Volunteers - The Pollock Brothers

by Carla Flores, Kids Ministry Director

All siblings are different from each other, and they share similarities too. Personally, I get the blessing to be the oldest sister to my two younger brothers. Each of us is very different from one another - I enjoy spending time outside, hiking, and enjoying nature. My middle brother, Diego, enjoys video games and watching anime. My youngest brother, Erick, enjoys playing soccer and the violin during his free time. But we also have many similarities like we all have the same sense of humor, love our mom’s mole, and enjoy watching action movies. 

During my time here at Mission Adelante, I have met many families with siblings just like mine that have different personalities but might share a few similar interests. A pair of brothers that always come to mind are the Pollock brothers. Andrew and Michael Pollock have been a part of the Mission Adelante family for as long as I can remember. In fact, when I think about Mission Adelante, I think about them. These brothers just like any other siblings have distinct personalities, interests, and hobbies. But they share one big similarity that impacts everyone who walks through our building: they love our community and are eager to serve and share life with people from all places. 

Andrew Pollock has been a part of Mission Adelante since 2009. He has volunteered in many of our programs and has supported Mission Adelante through many projects. Currently, Andrew serves in Adelante Arts Community and has been leading Arts and Crafts class. If you know Andrew, you know he is creative and God has blessed him with amazing artistic abilities. This year, he has been a big help with our hallway expansion project and is often seen in our building fixing or adding new things like shelves. His daughters are part of our programs and you can tell they share dad’s trait of having a servant’s heart. Thank you Andrew for all you do for our community! 

Michael Pollock has been a part of Mission Adelante since 2010. He has served in a multitude of our kids and youth programs and he is a natural leader. Michael is someone you can always count on to help with any task! Currently, he serves in Youth Club and Leaders in Training. He is a blessing to me personally since I have known and been mentored by Michael since I was 15 years old. My favorite thing about Michael is how genuine and authentic he is with his faith. He taught me what it means to be a true follower of Jesus and he inspires me to continue pressing into those questions and doubts. Thank you Michael for always being someone I can count on and loving our community so well! 

These brothers are different and similar just like any other siblings. Their gifts and talents are a blessing to our building and everyone who walks through our doors. From the bottom of my heart, thank you both for your generosity, kindness, and friendship. I pray you and your families are blessed greatly and know that as much as you love our community, our community loves you too! 

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 20th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/orientation

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year 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.

Our Church Community

Our Church Community

by Yanelis Lopez, Associate Director

At the center of what we do at Mission Adelante is our church. A community of faith that grows as a family as we grow closer to Jesus together. Our church is small in number but big in love and wisdom. Each Sunday that we meet there is much to discuss and share. Each year we look forward to the time of our long-awaited camp retreat, where we go to a secluded place for the weekend to seek Jesus. What I love most about those times are the conversations we have with each other and the new way we get to know each other. Being in this country with most of our family far away, makes the time with the brothers and sisters of the church comfort our hearts in a very special way. I am so thankful for our church community. 

 Here are some photos from the weekend:

My prayer: 

Amado Dios, Gracias por diseñar la iglesia. Gracias por el apoyo que encontramos en ella y la forma en que nos haces crecer a través de nuestras relaciones. Gracias por responder la oracion de Jesus en Juan 17:20-21

“No ruego solo por estos. Ruego también por los que han de creer en mí por el mensaje de ellos, para que todos sean uno. Padre, así como tú estás en mí y yo en ti, permite que ellos también estén en nosotros, para que el mundo crea que tú me has enviado.” 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

-------------------------------------------

En el centro de lo que hacemos en Mission Adelante se encuentra nuestra iglesia. Una comunidad de fé que crece como familia mientras juntos nos acercamos a Jesus.

Nuestra iglesia es pequeña en número pero grande en amor y sabiduria. Cada domingo que nos reunimos hay mucho para conversar y compartir. Cada año esperamos con ansias el tiempo de nuestro añorado retiro, donde nos vamos a un lugar apartado durante el fin de semana para buscar a Jesus.

Lo que mas me encanta de esos tiempos son las conversaciones que tenemos unos con otros y la forma nueva en que nos conocemos. El estar en este pais con la mayoria de nuestra familia lejos, hace que el tiempo con los hermanos de la iglesia nos conforte el corazon de una forma muy especial. Estoy tan agradecida por nuestra iglesia… Aqui arriba pueden ver algunas fotos del fin de semana. 


Hechos 2:42-47

42 Se mantenían firmes en la enseñanza de los apóstoles, en la comunión, en el partimiento del pan y en la oración. 43 Todos estaban asombrados por los muchos prodigios y señales que realizaban los apóstoles. 44 Todos los creyentes estaban juntos y tenían todo en común: 45 vendían sus propiedades y posesiones, y compartían sus bienes entre sí según la necesidad de cada uno. 46 No dejaban de reunirse en el templo ni un solo día. De casa en casa partían el pan y compartían la comida con alegría y generosidad, 47 alabando a Dios y disfrutando de la estimación general del pueblo. Y cada día el Señor añadía al grupo los que iban siendo salvos.


Una comunidad Cristiana es un equipo y una familia, basada en una fé, con un propósito.


LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 20th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year 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.

A Praise for Two Years!

A Praise for Two Years!

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director

I can’t believe it has already been two years since I landed at the Kansas City International Airport to start my journey in full-time youth ministry at Mission Adelante! I have been so blessed to be on a top-tier team that has welcomed every bit of my spunk and supported me in loving people – specifically youth – from all places. When I reflect on what God has done these last two years, I have to give Him praise! So here’s a poem I wrote to express my praise!

I often forget the low times
I planned my path, but found little peace
Directionless, uneasy, struggling to trust God’s time 
I weep
And then one day in the stillness it is revealed 
Have faith and walk close to me 
But how, when, where and why, I delay
So in the emptiness I remained 
Then to my surprise he makes a way 
I take a risk, I get on a plane
A land I have never been
A path I never thought I’d trod
Yet with open arms they welcomed my new blood
It is divine when your natural gifts shine
My only judge, a God that reigns on high
Fulfillment I found in being me 
Encouraged by everyone I see
So two years later as I assess
I find myself in awe of life’s trek
Up and down, round and round
But in God’s company I feel found
I praise Him for pulse, purpose and provision
The miracle of being 
The loftiness of mission
The abundance of love
For these, I thank you God!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 20th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year 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.

Loving Our Neighborhood

Loving Our Neighborhood

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

Last week, I jogged over to Waterway Park for a little exercise before work. It was a beautiful morning in the neighborhood, birds chirping, sun shining, spring in its full glory. As I did some of my strength and agility exercises, I heard a familiar voice say, “Mucha energía, Pastor Jaime!” (“Lots of energy, Pastor Jaime”— people call me Jaime in Spanish). It was Ruth, one of our former ESL students. She was walking around the park also. I often see Ruth there in the mornings. Waterway Park was essentially a drainage gully when we first moved to the neighborhood. Several years ago, Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC) filled it in and created Waterway Park. Now Waterway Park is a community gathering place for fun and exercise— it doesn’t matter what time I go, I’m guaranteed to see someone I know walking, jogging or playing in the park.

I popped into Sunfresh Market on 18th Street later that morning and ran into Leticia, who I have known for 17 years. We shared a hug and had a brief conversation in aisle 9. Sunfresh has been such a great partner for Mission Adelante for at least 15 years. If I don’t see the manager when I go, I almost always see a cashier, a produce stocker, or another customer who I know.

Later that day, I was at Kinship Cafe, meeting with a board member. TJ Roberts, the owner, is making a real impact in our community with his shop. His creativity, his excellence, and his engagement in the community are all part of what makes his small business an important part of the fabric of our neighborhood. We always talk a little whenever I visit. When I sat down for my meeting I noticed my auto mechanic, Danery at the corner table talking with someone on the phone. We didn’t get much chance to converse, but he stopped by my table as he was leaving and said hello.

I love our neighborhood— the small businesses and family-owned restaurants, taco trucks, the organizations helping to make it a better place to live, the little parks, and especially the people from all places. It’s diverse, it’s robust, and it’s thriving in beautiful ways. Some see the older homes, restless youth, the areas of blight, and the challenging schools, but at Mission Adelante, we see beauty and potential.

We believe that God cares about the places where people live, because those places have a lot to do with how people flourish. Remember, He took pains to describe Eden, the beautiful, fertile place where He put the first humans in Genesis 2. And in Revelation 21-22, He describes the New Jerusalem— a beautiful place, Eden restored. Of course, we won’t be able to restore “Eden” ourselves, but as Christians, we do exist as salt and light in a broken world. This means that we are part of God’s plan for bringing restoration and wholeness everywhere we go— spiritually of course, and physically as well. Christian community development is an important part of the testimony we give of the healing power of Jesus Christ and the future promise of His restoration of all things!

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

An important part of our ministry has always been our personal engagement and investment in our neighborhood, not as outsiders helping from afar, but as insiders, serving, sharing life, and sharing Jesus from within. To be clear, our neighborhood has a lot of challenges, but we have chosen to make these challenges OUR challenges and work together, with our community, toward solutions. This means that we not only offer our programs and services to our community, but that we also collaborate with local government, businesses, schools, and other non-profits and churches in our neighborhood to make the place we live a better environment for all of us to flourish in. Our vision statement captures this dream for our community:

We envision a growing multicultural community of disciples making disciples, where people from all places are thriving and using our gifts together to transform our neighborhood and the world for the glory of Jesus Christ.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 20th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start our second trimester of this year and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us this summer 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 volunteer orientation on May 20th. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

"Crossing Language Barriers"

Crossing Language Barriers:

A High Schooler's Inspiring Experience at Mission Adelante"

Written by Joe Thummel, ESL Volunteer. 

As a junior in high school and Spanish student, I was looking for an opportunity to put my Spanish skills to use for a good cause. With fortuitous timing, I was informed about Mission Adelante by a family friend. Immediately interested, I signed up to teach ESL Level One for the summer trimester.

Serving as an ESL teacher at Mission Adelante has been super fun and engaging. I look forward to each and every Thursday when I get to meet and engage with students who are just as passionate about learning English as I am about learning Spanish. Hearing the stories of all the students and making connections through the language barrier has widened my view of both my community and the world.

I have enjoyed and learned from each and every student I have helped teach. Whether it is Michael, Sandy, Ligni, or Karla, each and every one of them has brightened up my Thursday with their positive attitudes and strong determination to learn English. When they choose to complete language worksheets rather than take a 15 minute break or insist on speaking only English when communicating with me, I admire their grit and resilience.

And while they’ve learned some English from me, I’ve also learned lots of Spanish from them. Michael taught me slang words from Honduras, and Sandy helps me distinguish between Spanish words that don’t translate to English perfectly, words like arriba and encima which both mean “above” in English but have slightly different meanings in Spanish.

I love being one of the youngest ESL teachers at Mission Adelante. Because I’m young I think both younger and older students feel more relaxed around me, and I also use my energetic personality to make newer students feel more comfortable in class.

I am not exaggerating when I say that ESL class is tons of fun and that Thursday nights are the highlight of my week. I would encourage young people with any interest in Spanish to join up with Mission Adelante. The mutual impacts that you and your student will exert on each other is so meaningful, and you will both get to enhance your language skills as a bonus.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 20th and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit www.missionadelante.org/serve

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start our second trimester of this year and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us this summer 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 volunteer orientation on May 20th. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/serve

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

Easter around the world

Easter around the world.

by Luis Magana, Partner Engagement Director

Easter is here, and for us it's a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the holiday is celebrated in many different ways across different cultures and countries, what matters most is the reason behind the celebration.


In the US, many families (including mine) attend special church services and have brunch or supper with their loved ones, while others prefer to combine traditions like Easter egg hunts and the Easter Bunny. In Latin America, Easter is known as Semana Santa, a week-long celebration with elaborate procession and parades. Often in Hispanic cultures,  schools and many offices close for the week for people to celebrate by spending time with family and friends. In Ethiopia, Fasika is celebrated with a 55-day fasting period followed by a massive feast.

Greece has a unique way of celebrating Easter with a week of religious observances leading up to the main event. On Holy Thursday, women dye eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ, and on Holy Saturday, they prepare the traditional lamb meal for Easter Sunday. In Spain, Easter is marked by elaborate processions of statues and figures representing the passion of Christ.

The Philippines observes Holy Week with processions and reenactments of the crucifixion. in Sweden, Easter is celebrated with the lighting of bonfires on Holy Saturday, and in Norway, families gather for a traditional Easter lunch featuring eggs, cured meats, and cheese.

Regardless of how Easter is celebrated around the world, the reason is still the same: to celebrate the resurrection and the hope we find in the Gospel. It's a time to be grateful for the gift of eternal life that was given to us through Jesus. But also, Easter is an opportunity to gather with loved ones, share a meal, and create fun memories.

No matter where you are from or what is your tradition, let’s remember Easter is a celebration of the biggest act of love. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have access directly to God and can receive forgiveness of our sins. Let's take this opportunity to reflect on our faith, express gratitude for all our blessings, and share His love with those around us.

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his" (Romans 6:5)

Let's be united in faith as we celebrate Easter around the world. Happy Easter from Mission Adelante.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start this year 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: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.

The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself

The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself

by Veronica Garcia, Refugee Services Manager

I’ll say it. Life is SO busy sometimes. With work, family, friends, and volunteering, it seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day or in the week. Do you ever say to yourself that you need a break but never take one?

What does “taking a break” look like to you, anyway? We all have different personality types. For me, I am an introvert. Taking a break for me looks like taking a long nap in the afternoon. That helps me recharge. I can’t do that during the work week, but on weekends I make sure I take that time for myself and just get a nap in! Taking time for yourself could be a small gesture like taking a nap to recharge your batteries, but for some it could be going out with friends and temporarily putting your obligations aside (responsibly!).

Taking a break can actually help boost creativity and productivity. If you think to yourself, “I can’t take a break or I’ll never finish my to-do list!” That’s ok! Finish your list and just relax for the night. Or, finish the month strong and then plan a day for yourself. It can be big or small; the point is to just be intentional about your own self-care. 

““Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - ”
— Romans 12:2

This verse encourages us to take care of ourselves by renewing our minds, which can include engaging in self-care practices such as prayer, bible study, exercise, or hobbies that bring us joy, and that ultimately glorifies God. 

Self-care looks different for everyone, so I won’t tell you how to take care of yourself! Only you know what makes you happy and thrive. At Mission Adelante, we acknowledge that a break is so important! Volunteers do A LOT to keep our programs running smoothly and thrive the way that they are. We are set up in trimesters and have 4-6 week breaks in between so volunteers and participants avoid burnout. Breaks really do promote creativity! The new ideas I’ve seen volunteers come in the following trimester with or new materials they’ve created is amazing. 

If you are a past or current volunteer, I want to say thank you for all your hard work in our programs! I want to especially thank my volunteers in Refugee ESL for their dedication in helping me create the program with innovative ideas, being adaptable, and of course taking time to transport students to and from Mission Adelante. You all deserve some rest! 

If you are a future volunteer or thinking about committing to a trimester, just know that we care about you and what you have going on in life. We value your time and know burnout is real. Our breaks exist for a period of rest, creativity, and gaining some more motivation.

What will you do to disconnect and take a break? While programs are on break in April and most of May, I will be focusing on student recruitment, creating new ideas for Refugee ESL and Citizenship, and connecting with God more. As programs end next week, please take time to recharge. I will be praying for some rest for everyone! 

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year 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.

SUMMER 2023

SUMMER 2023

by Carla Flores, Kids Ministry Director

The year is flying by and I can't believe it is already time to start thinking about Arts Camp 2023 and backpack week!
Last year, Ashley Delgado, our past apprentice, and I were blessed to host over 90 kids for an entire week during Arts Camp 2022. Volunteers from all over the metro area came together to help this awesome event come together. Amazing churches like Christ Community Downtown and Hillcrest Covenant supported us with supplies, volunteers, and food for our students to have breakfast and lunch.

This May, we will have Mikya Wright join us as a new apprentice and begin planning for this year’s camp! Together, we are hoping to reach our goal of hosting 100 kids from our community this summer. 

Every year as the school year is set to begin, we have the opportunity to provide backpacks filled with school supplies for our students. This helps them begin the new school year off on the right foot. Bible study groups, local churches, and generous people from all places gather to put these backpacks together for our kids. Our kids join us for the last week of summer program and are able to pick out an awesome backpack that same week! 

There are a few ways you can join in on this summer’s fun: 

  1. Join us for Arts Camp 2023! Anyone age 13 and up can join us as volunteers and help either lead/co-lead an arts class, set up classrooms, and prepare meals. Fill out this form if you're interested: https://missionadelante.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/126/responses/new 

  2. Help us prepare backpacks for this summer’s event! This is a great opportunity for a group to come together and support our community. We are in need of girls’ elementary backpacks, here’s a link to get started: http://www.missionadelante.org/serviceprojects/backpacks

  3. Join us in prayer! The summer is our busiest, most fun time at Mission Adelante. Youth from our community fill our building with life and vibrancy.
    Pray for our students to enjoy their time with us, grow in their faith and leadership skills, and make lifetime long friends. Pray for our leaders to be filled with energy to teach and guide our students, to stay healthy during such a busy time, and for God to continue working through them.

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year 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.

The Impact of Volunteers

The Impact of Volunteers 

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director

(Back row, from left to right: Alexis, Luis P and Luis M; front row, from left to right: Patrique, Elodia and Kaytlynn)

I can’t believe I am nearing the two-year mark of joining Mission Adelante’s team! Whatever expectations I had of leading Mission Adelante’s Youth Ministry have been completely transcended. In my role, I have been able to walk alongside many teenagers in the Kansas City, Kansas neighborhood. I have seen participants get taller, build new friendships, celebrate milestone birthdays, and grow in confidence, leadership, and their faith. But behind the scenes is a passionate group of individuals who commit significant time and resources to share in this ministry with me. Their partnership has made this experience just that much more special! 

At Mission Adelante, our goal is to make disciples by serving, sharing life, and sharing Jesus with people from all places, and our current cohort of Youth Ministry volunteers, Michael, Jessie, Elodia, Luis P, Alexis, Kaytlynn, Luis M and Grace, are truly living this out. On Wednesday evenings our building is bustling with excited participants, eager to spend time with our beloved volunteers. To be honest, at times it is difficult to distinguish volunteers from participants. You’ll often find volunteers fully engaged in hot competition, cracking jokes, and using the newest slang! During our lesson time, volunteers help participants break down biblical occurrences, challenging participants to implement teachings in their own life. It’s incredible how relatable our participants find our volunteers. Despite the age gap, volunteers find common ground by spending time listening and learning about the experiences of teens and also sharing experiences from their own lives and childhood. The relationship is 100% reciprocal! 

(From left to right: Lucy, Alana, Anisha and Patrique)

(From left to right: Anisha, Alexis, Kaytlynn, Jessie and Grace)

What’s more, the friendship and mentorship of veteran volunteers has moved the next generation to also serve, share life, and share Jesus. You can catch Lucy leading Bible lessons at Kids Adelante on Thursday evenings, Anisha preparing for Arts Community classes on Monday evenings, and Alana helping to ideate fun activities for Adelante Youth Club on Wednesday evenings. I am confident that the example of our volunteers will continue to drive more and more young leaders to emerge from our neighborhood!

Be part of our programs!

 We are so excited to start this year 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.

CULTURAL SURPRISES I EXPERIENCED WHEN I MOVED TO THE US

TOp 5 cultural surprises I experienced when I moved from El Salvador to the US

by Luis Magana, Partner Engagement Director

Moving to another country can come with cultural surprises. Even when you think you know a lot about the new culture, there may be unexpected social norms, traditions, or behaviors that can catch you off guard.

For me these were the top 5 cultural surprises that I experienced when I moved here:

  1. Events usually start at the time listed on the invitation.

In El Salvador, events often start later than advertised, and it's considered normal to arrive fashionably late. However, in the US, events typically start at the exact time listed on the invitation, and being punctual is generally expected.

2. Asking who has the best BBQ is opening a can of worms.

As a food lover, I was excited to explore the BBQ scene in Kansas City. I quickly discovered that BBQ was taken very seriously, with different restaurants and enthusiasts claiming to be the best. Asking who has the best BBQ can spark a fun and heated debate between people.

3. Midwest weather is unpredictable.

In El Salvador, the weather is relatively predictable, with a consistent temperature throughout the year. However, in the Midwest, the weather can change rapidly and unexpectedly. One day it could be sunny and warm, and the next day, there could be a snowstorm. I had to learn to check the weather forecast before heading out, especially during the winter months.

4. Pajamas are acceptable while you shop.

One of the things that surprised me the most was seeing people wearing pajamas or other casual attire when shopping or running errands, even in major stores like Walmart. In El Salvador, people tend to dress more formally in public, so it was quite a culture shock to see people in their pajamas at the grocery store.

5. Intentionality counts more to establish a relationship with people.

In El Salvador, relationships are often more spontaneous and informal. However, in the US, people tend to value intentional efforts to build relationships, such as making plans to spend time together or sending thoughtful messages or gifts. I learned that it's essential to put effort into building relationships, and making plans in advance can be an excellent way to do so.

Moving to a new city is always challenging, but it's also a valuable experience that can broaden our perspectives and help us appreciate the world's diversity.

Every culture has its unique elements of beauty and brokenness. Working at Mission Adelante has allowed me to see firsthand the beauty in the diverse cultures represented in Kansas City, Kansas. I am learning to approach each new culture eager and excited to learn from their beauty.

Be part of our programs!

We are so excited to start this year 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: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation

  • Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.