Ministry Apprenticeship Bears Fruit

Leaders for ministry are not made overnight. Nor are they produced through a mere transfer of knowledge. Effective ministry is learned through a combination of supervised experience and diligent study, combined with the grace of God at work in someone’s life. From its inception Mission Adelante has believed that reproducing leaders for cross-cultural ministry is an important component to our overall vision. “Internship” and “Apprenticeship” are two words that imply this combination of practical experience with intentional learning. As Mission Adelante has attempted to be faithful to the call to reproduce leaders, we have developed both a three-year apprenticeship, and a shorter summer internship program, each focused on equipping future missionaries.

After almost three years of service, Seth Sears is nearing completion of our Apprenticeship program and is preparing to be launched, together with his family, to the foreign mission field with Christ for the City International. Seth, Andrea, and their family have been involved with Mission Adelante since before it began. Following a call to cross-cultural ministry, they moved to the Mission Adelante neighborhood and Seth began his training, both hands-on and theological in nature. While Seth took core courses at Midwestern Baptist Theological seminary, Seth and Andrea both dedicated themselves to learning Spanish. Seth and Andrea have learned the art of cross-cultural ministry by doing it. They have led Bible studies, mobilized volunteers to serve, met physical needs, discipled new believers, and even spearheaded the initial phases of remodeling Mission Adelante’s new building. Now, they are ready for the next step in God’s call for their lives as missionaries.

We are proud of Seth and Andrea, and their obedience to God’s unfolding call in their lives. Of course, we are already beginning to imagine the void their absence will leave in the Mission Adelante community. But, there is no sweeter departure than to be “sent” as missionaries. I ask that you would join us in praying for the Sears family. Please pray that God would help them finish strong and find closure over the next few months in their roles with Mission Adelante. Please pray that He would give them and their new ministry leaders in Costa Rica clarity on their roles. And pray that God will provide the support they need to be able to have “lift-off” on schedule in January.

In other news:

• The new Leaders In Training program kicked-off last Thursday evening with an orientation and ice cream social for the kids that were invited, their parents, and the LIT volunteer team. All 13 kids that attended signed up to participate in the three-afternoon-a-week character development program, which begins a week from today on September 2.
• Seth Sears and Linda Witz opened the Resource Center on Saturday morning, and about a dozen people from the community stopped by and took home clothes, food, toys, and beds.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray that all of the logistical details will fall into place for the LIT launch next Tuesday, September 2. Also, pray that God will impress upon the 13 kids the high degree of commitment that is expected from them and the privilege of the invitation to participate in the program.
• As we wrap up our year-long study of the book of Acts during the next three Sunday evening worship celebrations, pray that those who attend will hear God's voice through the Word, and that their lives will be changed.
• Pray for Molly Merrick as she begins raising funds and transitions into full-time ministry with Mission Adelante.

Current needs:

The great response to the Resource Center has left us with a minimal inventory of items. We're thrilled to be able to distribute resources to people who need them, and we need to restock! Specifically, we would like to make available:

• baby items (diapers, wipes, etc.)
• non-perishable food items

To find a complete list of requested items to stock the Resource Center, click http://www.missionadelante.org/docs/ResourceCenterOngoingNeedsList.doc.

Upcoming dates:

• Tuesday, September 2 at The Mission: Leaders In Training launch
• Saturday, September 6 at The Mission: New Volunteer Training and Orientation

All volunteers are encouraged to attend this orientation once. If you would like to attend this time, please RSVP to Morgan Ham and indicate your area of interest, if you've chosen. If not, don't worry; you'll hear about the various areas in which you can serve at the orientation.

• Monday, September 15 at The Mission: All-Volunteer Meeting
• Thursday, September 18: Launch of fall trimester

Summer Party is Enjoyed by All!

• We had the biggest turnout ever at the Trimester-end Party on Sunday evening! We estimate that 175 Hispanics from the neighborhood and American volunteers gathered to celebrate the kids and adult ESL students that finished the summer term. The tables were decorated with world globes and flags from various Latin American countries. Jarrett's message was about God of the Nations, who will receive the eternal praise of all people.
• Guadalupe received the "Top Student Award" at the party. This summer she completed her fifth and final trimester of Mission Adelante ESL classes. As a reward, she received a $100 scholarship to continue studying English at a community college.
• Now that the summer term has concluded, we're looking forward to the fall trimester which begins with student registration on September 11. Classes and Kids Adelante commence September 18.
• Christ Community Church held a school supply drive to benefit the kids in Kids Adelante. Thanks in great part to their effort, we gave new backpacks filled with school supplies to 39 kids.

Prayer needs:

• A student that just finished ESL level 1 is going through a divorce and is at risk of domestic violence. Please pray for her safety and that she'll maintain her connection to the ministry.
• Pray for Molly Merrick as she begins raising funds and transitions into full-time ministry with Mission Adelante.

Current needs:

• There has been an overwhelming response to the opening of the Resource Center, and the majority of the items we had on hand have been taken! We're thrilled to be able to distribute resources to people who need them, and we need to restock! If you're interesting in organizing a resource drive at your church, small group, workplace, etc., please contact Seth at 913-568-9280 or seths@missionadelante.org.

To find a complete list of requested items to stock the Resource Center, click http://www.missionadelante.org/opportunity.html and look under the “Resource Center” section.

• English and Spanish children's books. We'll distribute as many of them as we can through the Resource Center, and donate any that remain to M.E. Pearson Elementary School.

Upcoming dates:

• Saturday, September 6 at The Mission: New Volunteer Training and Orientation
• Monday, September 15 at The Mission: All-Volunteer Meeting
• Thursday, September 18: Launch of fall trimester

Convivir—To Share Life

The Spanish word, “convivir” means “to share life”. It is one of the three words we use to describe our 3-fold purpose to our Hispanic participants; Servir, Convivir, and Animar. We want to “Serve”, because it’s a genuine and effective way to demonstrate the love of God. We want to “share life” because compassion is relational. And, we want to “Encourage” each other to pursue God with our whole hearts.

“Convivir’ takes many shapes in Mission Adelante’s context, but one of the most exciting and energizing of these takes place at the end of each trimester in the form of a super-duper, fun-filled, God-honoring PARTY! This Sunday evening, August 10th at 6:00 is one such event. If you’ve never been, I encourage you to show up and get a glimpse of the cross-cultural community that God is building in our neighborhood. Besides sharing a meal together, we honor our ESL students with a graduation ceremony, celebrate kids who’ve demonstrated special characteristics, and share a brief message from the Bible. So if you’re looking for a uniquely exciting cross-cultural experience or a glimpse into the community of Mission Adelante, you’re invited! The details are below!

Event: Mission Adelante’s Summer Party
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Place: Bethany Community Center
1120 Central Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66102

Directions:
I-35 North to Roe/18th Street Expressway Exit
North on 18th Street Expressway
Continue past I-70 to Central Avenue (big stoplight)
Right on Central to 12th Street
Bethany Park and Community Center are at 12th and Central Avenue

In other news:

• The Resource Center had its grand opening last Thursday evening! As ESL students finished class and parents came to pick up their children from Kids Adelante, almost everyone walked over to the detached garage that houses the Resource Center to check it out. Many of them benefited from the various household items, toys, clothing, and food that was available.
• All five of the pre-teen Latina girls that began the Purity Bible Study led by Megan will complete the study this Friday and receive a purity ring as a memento of what they´ve learned.
• This is the final week of Megan, Molly, and Sofie´s internships. They´ve accomplished a great deal in the time they´ve been here!

Prayer needs:

• Pray for Molly Merrick as she begins raising funds and transitions into full-time ministry with Mission Adelante.
• Thirteen kids have been invited to participate in the Leadership Training Program beginning this fall. Pray for the kids and their parents to respond enthusiastically to the invitation.
• Guadalupe has been a part of our community for more than a year and a half. She recently accepted a position of leadership over the Servant Community team. Pray for God to develop her leadership abilities.
• Two weeks ago we mentioned Jose and Trisha's family. They've been resistant to becoming associated with a church, but have begun to show interest in Mission Adelante worship services and Bible studies! Please continue to pray for them to have the courage to come and investigate our worship and fellowship opportunities.

Current needs:

• Consumable staples including:
  Rice, Bags of Beans (black and pinto), Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Corn Starch (Maizena brand), Flour, Table salt, Canned tomatoes, Canned Chiles, Pasta noodles, Macaroni noodles, Laundry Detergent, Toilet Paper, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Dental Floss

To find a complete list of requested items to stock the Resource Center, click http://www.missionadelante.org/opportunity.html and look under the “Resource Center” section.

• English and Spanish children's books. We'll distribute as many of them as we can through the Resource Center, and donate any that remain to M.E. Pearson Elementary School.

Upcoming dates:

• Sunday, August 10, at the Bethany Community Center: Trimester-end party and graduation 4:30 set-up begins; 6:00 party begins
• Saturday, September 6 at The Mission: New Volunteer Training and Orientation
• Monday, September 15 at The Mission: All-Volunteer Meeting
• Thursday, September 18: Launch of fall trimester