Jesus Knows Best

Jesus Knows Best

by Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director

I am in my third year of this blessed (pun intended!) ministry journey that began, truthfully, from desperation. In November of 2023, after six years of being cooped up in a corporate sales office and feeling disconnected from my family and community, I decided to leave my job (and, unfortunately, some really great friends I acquired over those years) in search of a more meaningful job. Never in my life did I imagine I would end up in ministry, and even if I had dreamed about a ministry job, I highly doubt I would have picked adult ministry! I have carried in my womb, birthed, and reared four children, so of course I would want to do children’s ministry, right?! Negative! Although I genuinely love children and definitely recognize the importance and value of children’s ministry, I am not the one! My hat goes off to people like (excuse me while I name drop!) Megan Fountain (McDermott), Patrique Harris, Carla García, Erick Flores, Kristina Flores-Muñoz (she´s my daughter-in-law!), and every single one of our Mission Adelante Children’s and Youth Ministry volunteers! Thank you for doing what you do so that people like me don’t have to!

From Mentee to Mentor

From Mentee to Mentor

by Erick Flores, Ministry Apprentice

have now completed my 20th year of life. I often think back and reminisce about the past, and Mission Adelante is always present in my memories. Mission Adelante has made a huge impact on my life—it changed me for the better. Mission Adelante is a home to me.

Many people don’t often realize the huge impact volunteers make on our participants. They’re not just volunteers; they’re friends. I was once a participant myself when I was younger. I attended our former Youth Club, Latino Teens Adelante. My older sister, Carla, and her now-husband (then boyfriend), Daniel, tried to get me involved in teens for a long time. They were apprentices at the time. It wasn’t until I got in trouble at school that my mom forced me to go to teens. Little did I know, it would be the best reward I ever received for getting in trouble.

A Beautiful Cycle of Welcome

A Beautiful Cycle of Welcome

By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director

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

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

The Incalculable Value of Living

The Incalculable Value of Living

by Erika Guedez, Community Resource Manager

In the early years of school, from ages 6 to 12, our education focused on human values. I don’t know if you remember, but basically we were taught to identify the ethical and moral principles that guide a person’s behavior, helping us distinguish between right and wrong in order to live in society. These included respect, honesty, responsibility, solidarity, freedom, justice, tolerance, empathy, kindness, love, and so on. I remember studying the context of each one, but I didn’t realize how important they were at my young age. The truth is that values are universal, although their importance and prioritization can vary depending on the individual, culture, and context. As a child, I used to analyze terms and delve deeper into feelings. For example, we’re taught that love is a human value, but do you love? We’re taught that life is a value, but do you live? Do you understand what I mean? It’s like the difference between hearing and listening: Hearing is a physiological and passive act of perceiving sounds, whereas listening is a voluntary and active act that requires concentration and interpretation.

First Retreat at Great Wolf Lodge!

First Retreat at Great Wolf Lodge!

by Kristina Flores, Children’s Ministry Manager

This weekend was my very first Great Wolf Lodge trip, and it was such a blast! For those who may not know, our Leaders in Training students go every year to celebrate all their hard work. It’s a sweet tradition, and this year I had the honor of leading it.

I’ll be honest: I was nervous. I prayed constantly, and the anticipation was the hardest part. But God showed up for me in such a real way and filled me with peace. Once the students arrived, all that nervousness melted away and I felt excited all over again.

Meet the LTP Crew!

Meet the LTP Crew!

by Erick Flores, Ministry Apprentice

Leadership Training Project (LTP) is a meaningful discipleship and leadership development program designed for teens who show strong potential to lead and serve within our community. The program is intentionally selective, focusing on students who demonstrate maturity, initiative, and a heart for ministry. This year, we are excited to have five outstanding participants in the program: Elian, Hudson, Josee, Anjali, and Unisha. Each of them has stepped into the year with enthusiasm, ready to be challenged, to grow, and to serve with purpose.

Thanksgiving (Giving Thanks)

Thanksgiving (Giving Thanks)

by Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director

Stepping outside in short sleeves and capris in Kansas City in November doesn’t feel very fall-ish. Something has felt “off” about the sun going down at 5 PM, unaccompanied by cold temperatures; people are not all bundled up in their winter coats, and I can’t see my breath when I greet my co-worker in the parking lot of Mission Adelante in the morning. News about Black Friday reminds me that Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner, but something still doesn’t feel right!

What Hope Looks Like in a Time of Fear

What Hope Looks Like in a Time of Fear

By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director

This season, I can feel the heaviness in our city almost as soon as I step outside. The political climate, the way immigrants and refugees are talked about, the comments online, the tension in local conversations. It hurts. Because people I love, families I know by name, are being spoken of as if they were a burden instead of a blessing. As if their stories, their courage, their sacrifices don’t matter.

But they are not burdens. Son nuestros vecinos.

Ad Astra per Aspera: To the Stars through Adversity

Ad Astra per Aspera: To the Stars through Adversity

by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director

Growing up in Kansas in the 1970’s meant celebrating Kansas Day every January 29th. On those cold winter days, I remember singing “Home, Home on the Range” and learning about meadowlarks, sunflowers, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the state motto of Kansas: Ad Astra Per Aspera (to the stars through adversity). All of those quintessential Kansas distinctives are etched in my consciousness as part of the pride I feel in being from this beautiful state. Yet, the motto, Ad Astra per Aspera, stands out with a special meaning as I reflect on 20 years of Mission Adelante.

The Duplicity of Life

The Duplicity of Life

by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director

This past week has been a whirlwind, marked by joy and celebration, yet also mixed with sorrow and concern. Such is the duplicity of life.

Last Saturday, I turned thirty! To mark the milestone, I set out on a 30,000-step walk through some of my favorite parts of Kansas City and its surroundings. Though the forecast warned of a downpour, the day turned out beautifully! It was cool, with a faint drizzle, but not enough rain to dampen my spirits. 

Join the Fun at Arts Community!

Join the Fun at Arts Community!

by Erick Flores, Ministry Apprentice

Arts Community is filled with kids who love art and are always eager to learn something new! We offer six exciting classes and are always looking for more students and volunteers to join us on Monday nights. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to lead Arts Community, and I am incredibly grateful for our amazing volunteers — I couldn’t do it without them!

¡Super Gregorio!

¡Super Gregorio!

by Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director

The majority of you know him. You'll probably hear him before you see him if you walk through the door of Mission Adelante on a Thursday night. I have never seen him have a bad day, or at least it never shows in class. In fact, when I think of Gregg Frost, our beloved and faithful volunteer who has served for nearly twenty years, I hear his heartfelt chuckle and see his kind smile, not to mention the excitement in his eyes about teaching another level 1 ESL lesson!