0
items
$0
Video Post: A Critical Moment at Mission Adelante
Friends,
Over the next two months, we have two major initiatives happening simultaneously that will require the participation and support of all of our friends and partners.
Refugee Resettlement Surge: Because of dynamics related to the recent election, we are preparing to receive around 100 refugees by mid-January. Many of these are people who have been waiting in refugee camps for a decade or more. All of them have already been vetted and approved for travel to the U.S. This will be a herculean undertaking that will change the lives of those new arrivals forever. We need your help!
2. Property Expansion Project: We are raising $600,000 to build out our new Refugee Welcome Center with classrooms and office space to house our refugee programs. As of November 14, we have raised $204,000 in lead gifts toward this need! This is a game-changing opportunity for Mission Adelante. Would you consider giving to support this need?
Donate Here: https://www.missionadelante.org/give
Please watch this update video for more information and details.
This is Our Time
This is Our Time
by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
Mission Adelante, like the rest of the world, is digesting the results of the U.S. presidential election. Given our experiences during the previous Trump presidency and the rhetoric and policy statements that have been made regarding immigrants and refugees during the recent campaign, we are anticipating a challenging season for our community and a disruption in the government programs for refugee resettlement and support.
Nevertheless, Mission Adelante is resolute in our commitment to serve the immigrant and refugee communities in Kansas City. We have been swimming against the cultural current for 19 years and we have been forged in the fire of unfavorable political policies and harsh public rhetoric for much of our history as a ministry. And yet, our passion for “loving people from all places” grows only stronger when those we are called to serve are marginalized. The ears of our hearts become even more attentive when we hear Jesus say, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Mission Adelante exists, in part, to stand in the gap for vulnerable people whose worth others may not recognize.
We are not alone in our conviction and commitment to compassionate action. We have seen churches, schools, businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the metro area and the region rise to the occasion and join us in serving, sharing life, and sharing Jesus with our neighbors from all places. When our resilient and courageous community of immigrants and refugees is joined by Americans who are serious about “loving our neighbor as ourselves”, a powerful “new we” emerges that challenges the “us vs. them” narrative.
Friends, this is our time. And when I say “our time”, I mean a collective “OUR” that includes YOU. This is our collective time to shine and we need YOU to be part of the WE. Over the coming weeks, we will be rolling out some new and timely ways for you to engage. Please stay tuned! Whether through praying, serving, or giving, we invite you to join us in loving people from all places.
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Year 19: Crazy Growth!
Year 19: Crazy Growth!
by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
There have been many exciting seasons at Mission Adelante since our launch in 2005. The initial launch phase was a thrilling adventure, engaging new volunteers, connecting with neighbors, and developing brand new ministry programs. Five years later, we were exploring a ministry to Bhutanese-Nepali refugees and expanding our impact. In 2015, we launched Adelante Thrift, a major milestone in sustainable entrepreneurship. This year, 2024, is another year of unprecedented growth and new endeavors at Mission Adelante.
Refugee Resettlement: It’s safe to say, we didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into when we said,”yes” to resettling refugees, but secretly, we had a hunch it would exceed our expectations. Indeed, the refugee resettlement journey has been an exhilarating challenge that has doubled the size of our ministry impact! As we approach the end of September, we will have received 103 individuals, orienting them, housing them, getting them medical care, enrolling the kids in schools, and caring for their critical needs during their first months in the the U.S. Our Refugee Services staff has grown from 1.5 to seven team members, we’ve engaged over 50 new volunteers, and our overall budget has nearly doubled. The real noteworthy part of this is that we’ve accomplished these impossible feats, building the team, creating the systems, and doing the work, in the first nine months of the year!
Core Ministry Programs: Our core Ministry Programs have seen more qualitative growth through 2024 than growth in numbers. Leadership development through our kids and youth ministries has produced a crop of youth interns and an a couple of young adult apprentices who demonstrate the kind of gifts and character that we dream about seeing in our young people.
Transitions: A few weeks ago, our staff team got away for a day for a staff retreat. As we were sitting around the room sharing about our Gallup Strengths Finder results, I was keenly aware that our team has many new faces. In addition to adding a whole new refugee services team, another part of this year’s craziness has been transitions other in key roles. From Michelle Simbaqueva and Rachel Yeargin joining our team in important operations roles, Yanelis López switching out of her Associate Director role to serve on our Refugee Team, and more recently, Luis Magaña’s transition, in a lot of ways, our team is being re-built for our exciting future.
Construction: In January we acquired the commercial building adjacent our main property. Early in the year we worked hard with architects and engineers to put together an awesome plan for our new refugee welcome center, which will house staff offices, classrooms, and storage space for our refugee services ministry. After submitting our plans to the city, we’ve been in a long holding pattern as we’ve awaited the proper permits to begin our work. In the meantime, we’ve hired Tate Williams’ CoBuild, Inc, as our General Contractor, and we’re preparing to launch another fundraising campaign to raise $550,000 for this project.
In short, 2024 has been a year of exhilarating growth and all the challenges that come with big, new endeavors. As we look toward the last quarter of the year and forward to our 20th Anniversary next year, we invite you to pray with us for God’s favor, His energy, and His guidance to walk faithfully in the opportunities He is laying before us.
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Bees, Ministry, and Leadership
Bees, Ministry, and Leadership
By Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
Keeping bees and ministry can be very similar. We nurture and invest time in both because we know it's worth it, and we can bear fruit one day.
Watch this video to learn more and discover how you can be part of our leadership development at Mission Adelante.
Would you consider investing with us in making an impact that ripples forward to eternity? To donate, please visit www.missionadelante.org/infinity2024 or click the donate button below.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11
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/serve
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Bees, Flowers and Emerging Leaders- Announcing Infinity 2024!
Bees, Flowers and Emerging Leaders- Announcing Infinity 2024!
By Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
Over the past year, I’ve had an exciting convergence of new hobbies: beekeeping and flower gardening. If we’ve spent any time together, you’ve probably had to listen to me spouting off fascinating bee facts and sharing stories about catching swarms, marking queens or harvesting honey. My gardening interests have been shaped by my beekeeping as I’ve torn up a section of our grass to plant native pollinator flowers. I’ve even started letting the white dutch clover grow unchecked in my backyard!
Part of beekeeping is managing bee reproduction. Did you know that a queen bee can lay 2000 eggs each day during the peak season! I estimate that my first hive had around 70,000 bees by mid-summer last year. And, when a hive outgrows its space, it sends out a swarm, nearly half of the colony, to find a new home. In this way, not only do the bees reproduce on an individual basis, but the entire colony reproduces itself. The process has a hint of infinity as the cycle perpetuates itself under the care of a Creator whose perfect designs are worthy of study and awe. My great satisfaction as a beekeeper and gardener is in the cooperation with our Creator in stewarding such a fascinating part of His creative work.
Each summer at Mission Adelante we celebrate the perpetual work and infinite impact of God’s creative work in developing young leaders from our community. And much like beekeeping or gardening, we are delighted to cooperate with our Creator in stewarding and caring for the lives of young people who will one day be disciples who make disciples and leaders who develop leaders.
Mission Adelante invests in emerging leaders from our neighborhood starting at a young age, and we have a lot of programs designed for this purpose. But, one of our most exciting leadership development initiatives is our summer youth internship. This summer we have an amazing group of youth- six to be exact- most of whom have been in and around Mission Adelante since before the age of five. For some, we’ve had the privilege of being a part of their lives from birth! Can you grasp the joy of collaborating with God in their formation and now seeing them shine as they serve others and grow as leaders!
It is in this spirit that we launch our summer campaign, “Infinity 2024”, to raise funds to support our leadership development initiatives. The programs funded by this campaign are “Leadership Training Project” for youth, “Youth Summer Internship” for youth, and “Ministry Apprenticeships” for young adults. Our goal this summer is to raise $30,000 to help fund these programs. Would you consider investing with us in making an impact that ripples forward to eternity? To donate, please visit www.missionadelante.org/infinity2024 or click the donate button below.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11
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/serve
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Job Opening: Mission Adelante Operations Director
Mission Adelante is announcing a leadership level job opportunity for a full-time Operations Director. Please see the opportunity and summary below and find the linked job description for more details! To apply, please submit a resume to Jarrett Meek at executivedirector@missionadelante.org. If you know someone who might be a good fit for this role, please feel free to pass this job announcement on to them!
Opportunity:
Do you want to use your administrative gifts to facilitate the ongoing growth of an exciting urban ministry that serves the immigrant and refugee communities in Kansas City, KS? This opportunity is designed to leverage the gifts of an experienced administrator who is passionate about organizational excellence and believes that loving people from all places is an important expression of the command to “love your neighbor as yourself”.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a versatile individual with a strong finance background and exceptional problem solving skills to oversee the critical business and back office functions of our organization. The Operations Director must be able to wear many hats, learn new skills, and excel at creating systems that help our organization accomplish its mission. The Operations Director is responsible for ensuring that Mission Adelante operates efficiently, ethically, and safely.
Find full job description here!
Catch a Ride on the Whirlwind!
Catch a Ride on the Whirlwind
by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
The year 2024 has begun with a spinning, whirling, blizzard of blessings at Mission Adelante. “Spinning and whirling”, because it has been CRAZY. “Blizzard”, because it has been blinding (and because of the alliteration, which I happen to love). “Blessings”, because there’s no other way to describe the joyful new things the Lord is doing at Mission Adelante.
As 2023 came to a close, we were praying and working on raising $500,000 for the purchase of the adjacent commercial building and a residential house which would serve as our Refugee welcome center. It had all come together surprisingly quickly, as we learned about the opportunity to purchase those properties during the first week of October. It would be a Providential moment in our newest project- the launch of a Refugee Resettlement program at Mission Adelante. Donors from far and wide stepped forward- church partners, business partners, generous individuals- and we witnessed what seems like a miracle- our campaign total reached $500,995 by the end of January, allowing us to purchase the properties and begin work on plans for a complete renovation of the commercial space. In the meantime, we’ve done some cosmetic work to the “welcome house”, and it is set to begin being used to welcome newly arriving refugees in the next few weeks! I’m astounded at the provision of God and His perfect timing!
The new properties are not the biggest thing happening at Mission Adelante right now. Indeed, the refugee resettlement program itself lifted off the last week of January, as we received our first family, a couple from Nicaragua. The “good neighbor team” that we assigned to this very first family was from Mission Adelante’s own Spanish-speaking church community. With tremendous generosity and love, our own community of “people from all places” set the standard for hospitality, welcoming this new Refugee family to the United States and also into our church! Then, in a chain reaction of hospitality, this first refugee couple helped us welcome another new arrival, who, in turn, helped yet another family with their first steps in the U.S.! This is what happens when agency, community, and church collide in one organization! To date, we’ve received 12 families from different countries and continents. We’re building new systems, figuring things out as we go, and leaning on the support of partners in our community and city. God is so good!
As if this weren’t enough, in late January, we received news from the Kansas State Office for Refugees that we would be awarded additional grant funding to expand our programming. The kinds of expansion opportunities they had in mind went far beyond what we had imagined. It has allowed us to supercharge the development of our Refugee Resettlement team, which has gone from Kristen Maxwell, as the lone team member back in the fall, to include five full-time staff members by early March. Needless to say, the addition of these programs, which target employment services, medical navigation, public benefit navigation, expanded English classes, and more, will allow us to serve our new friends in a much more comprehensive way. Of course, this kind of rapid expansion of programming and staffing requires new systems and more operation support, which have stretched our team and infrastructure — a blinding blizzard of blessings!
Friends, this is an exciting time of expansion at Mission Adelante. The Lord is expanding our reach and our capacity as a ministry, and we’re so very thankful for this whirlwind of new things. Even as we lean into these new opportunities, we continue to see and celebrate fruit in our legacy programs and enjoy the fun and encouraging team environment among our staff and volunteers. We don’t stop giving thanks for those who serve as volunteers, give as donors, pray as partners, and love our community with us. Let’s do this! Let’s spread our wings and catch a ride on the whirlwind!
Our Refugee Resettlement staff: Kristen, Caleb, Marian, Veronica, Amy and Yanelis
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - may 18TH
Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on May 18th, 2024 and find your place serving kids, youth, or adults in the immigrant community in KCK
For more information about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/orientation
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
WE 2024
WHEN “US SERVING THEM” BECOMES “WE”
by Jarrett Meek, Founder, Pastor/Executive Director
It’s hard to put into words the many lessons we’ve learned since Mission Adelante began, way back in 2005. For me personally, my Spanish has improved, I’ve become much more comfortable in a variety of cultural contexts, and I’ve become a proud resident of “The Dotte”. But, one of the most important lessons we, as a ministry, have internalized over these 18+ years has to do with “us”, “them”, and “we”.
Subtly and unconsciously, Mission Adelante began with a beneath-the-surface “us serving them” mindset. Lots of good intentions and even love, but the privileged “us” was always in the powerful seat of the giver and the needy “them” was always the recipient of our good will - not a recipe for dignity, friendship or genuine community. Along the way, we learned and grew. “Doing for“ became “doing with”, as we made every effort to empower our neighbors from all places. Yet, even in the “doing with” there was still an “us” empowering a “them”.
So what comes after “doing with”? We’ve discovered that it involves erasing the lines between “us” and “them” to create a new “we”. That’s it! In the new we, people from all places thrive and use our gifts together to transform our community. What does it look like? It looks like board members from all places, staff from all places, volunteers from all places, people from all places loving people from all places. Beautiful!
Introducing “WE 2024”
The “WE 2024” campaign is a celebration of people from all places thriving and using our gifts together to transform our community. Our goal is to increase monthly contributions by $2000/month, by April 15th. A generous donor will match the annual value of each new or increased monthly commitment with a one-time gift.
Would you consider joining us in this campaign? For more information, please visit: www.missionadelante.org/we2024
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : MARCH 4 -7
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/serve
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Refugee Expansion Gets Real with Property Purchase and First Families in the Queue!
by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
Our plans to expand into refugee resettlement and acquire the adjacent properties are becoming a reality! We’re just a few days away from the end of 2023, and it is crunch time! We’ve seen tremendous generosity and support for our new refugee resettlement initiative and the acquisition of the adjacent properties to accommodate this expansion and our new programs. We’ve set a “God-sized” goal to raise $500,000 by year-end to purchase the properties with cash, and God has indeed responded. To date we have received $357,000 in committed funds— nearly enough to close with cash on the commercial property on January 5th. The closing for the residential house is scheduled for January 31st. We’re praying and still working on completing the $500,000 goal in order cover both closings and move into our renovation phase without debt. There are a few days left in 2023. This is our time! Would you consider making a year-end contribution, either before December 31st or by mid-January, to help us reach this goal? Gifts of any size are a big encouragement and help us towards our goal! Giving is easy at https://www.missionadelante.org/give
Our First Refugee Families are in the Queue!
Just before Christmas we received word about the first families we’ll be welcoming in 2024. Though we don’t have travel dates yet, we have received detailed information about each family and where they’re from, which has suddenly made this project seem very real! Here is a quick rundown of our first refugee families and countries of origin:
Family of 5 from Eritrea
Family of 3 from The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Family of 4 from Sudan
Family of 2 from Nicaragua
If you’re interested in volunteering with our new refugee resettlement ministry, you may use the interest form on our website to let us know! https://www.missionadelante.org/refugees
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - JANUARY 13TH
Join our team of volunteers for the spring trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on January 13th, 2024 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 for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to Observation Nights. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Refugee Expansion Project - Video Update
by Jarrett Meek, Founder, Pastor/Executive Director
As of November 16th, 18 donors have committed $217,550 in “lead gifts” to help launch our Refugee Expansion Campaign! That’s nearly half of the year-end goal! Will you join us! Watch this video to learn more.
Total Project Goal for Purchase and Renovation: $750,000
Year-End campaign Goal for our Refugee Expansion Project : $500,000
Lead gifts commitments as of November 16th: $217,550!
This is our time to shine! Will you join us?
An Expansion Property for Mission Adelante's New Refugee Resettlement Program!
Concept rendering by Katrina Mills
by Jarrett Meek, Founder, Pastor/Executive Director
If you’ve been following along lately, you’ve probably heard that Mission Adelante is on the cusp of a major new milestone. We’ve entered into a partnership with World Relief and for the last 10 months we’ve been preparing to open a refugee resettlement office at Mission Adelante. This is a major undertaking that will launch in January, as we receive our first new arrivals.
One of the conversations that had just begun among our board of directors was related to the future space needs of this new ministry. With the anticipation of a growing staff team and additional programs to serve newly arriving families, expansion was on our minds. Literally, the week after our board started this conversation, the property adjacent to Mission Adelante came on the market with a 4000 square foot commercial building and a 2 bedroom home. We now have these properties under contract. We are absolutely in awe of this unexpected provision that feels like the very hand of Providence!
Things are moving fast as we move forward on acquiring this building that is adjacent to Mission Adelante and the house that goes with it. We have started our due diligence and are working on plans for renovation of the building to provide office space for expansion of our refugee resettlement team, classroom space for new refugee programming, and storage/warehouse space for items donated for refugee families. The home that comes with the property will be used to house newly arriving families until we can get them into apartments.
There have been a few catalytic moments in the history of Mission Adelante: the inception of our ministry, the launch of our programs to serve Bhutanese Refugees, and the opening of Adelante Thrift. Refugee resettlement and this opportunity to acquire these adjacent properties is another one of these perfectly timed “God opportunities” that will catapult us into new territory as an organization. This is indeed the most significant new milestone for us since the launch of Adelante Thrift and is worthy of special attention and support!
Total Campaign Goal: $750,000 (enough to purchase and renovate both properties)
Phase one- Year-End campaign (purchase): Raise $500,000 by year end. This will take the place of our normal year-end campaign. As of November 9th, before the public launch of the campaign, we already have commitments for lead gifts totaling $172,000!
Phase two (renovate): Raise an additional $250,000 by June 30th to complete renovations. We are currently working on our renovation plans.
Our closing date for the adjacent property is slated for January 5, 2024. That’s right around the corner! Our God-sized goal is to have enough funds raised to come to closing with cash and without debt. We’re inviting all of our friends, partners, and donors to make a special, over-and-above contribution to support this cause, before year-end! This is our time to shine! Will you join us?
Concept rendering by Katrina Mills
Una Propiedad de Expansión para el Nuevo Programa de Recibimiento de Refugiados de Mission Adelante!
por Jarrett (Jaime) Meek, Fundador, Pastor/Director Ejecutivo
Si usted ha estado siguiendo nuestras noticias ultimamente, es probable que ha escuchado que Mission Adelante está al punto un momento clave en nuestro ministerio. Hemos comenzado una relación oficial con la organización World Relief y durante los últimos 10 meses, hemos estado preparandonos para abrir una oficina de recibimiento de refugiados en Mission Adelante. Es un proyecto de grandes proporciones que iniciará en enero con el recibimiento de nuestros primeros individuos y familias de otros países.
Una de las conversaciones que apenas habia comenzado entre los miembros de nuestra junta directiva tenía que ver con las necesidades futuras de espacio para este nuevo ministerio. Con la expectativa de un equipo de trabajo que va creciendo y programas adicionales para servir a las familias que estarán llegando, la necesidad de expansión estaba muy presente en nuestra mente. De repente, la semana después de que comenzamos esa conversación, la propiedad al lado de Mission Adelante se puse en venta con un edificio de 4000 pies cuadrados y una casa residential de dos recámaras. Ahora tenemos esas propiedades bajo contrato. ¡Estamos absolutamente asombrados con esta provisión inesperada y se siente como la misma mano de Providencia!
Todo va progresando rápido mientras avanzamos hacía adquirir este edifico al lado de la misión y la casa que se incluye. Hemos empezado a hacer nuestras inspecciones y cumplir con los pasos de diligenia. Estamos trabajando en los planes para la renovación del edificio para proveer espacio adicional para oficinas y aulas para los programas para servir a las familias refugiadas que estarán lleganod. La casa que viene incluido se usará para proveer vivienda temporal para familias que llegan, hasta que podamos encontrarles apartamentos para rentar.
Ha habido unos pocos momentos tan claves en la historia de Mission Adelante: el comienzo de nuestro ministerio en 2005, el arranque de los programas para los refugiados de Bhutan, y la apertura de Adelante Thrift in 2015. Este nuevo programa de recibimiento de refugiados y la oportunidad de adquirir estas propiedades continguas es también uno de esos momentos claves, ordenados por Dios, que representa su perfecto tiempo. Esta oportunidad nos lanzará a otra etapa y a nuevo territorio como organización. ¡Sin duda, es el momentos más significante para nostros desde que abrimos Adelante Thrift, y es un proyecto digno de atención y apoyo especiales!
Meta Total de la Campaña: $750,000 (para comprar y renovar las dos propiedades)
Fase Una- (Comprar): Levantar $500,000 para el fin del año. Hasta la fecha de hoy, antes del comienzo público de la compaña, ya tenemos comprometidos $172,000 en contribuciones!
Fase Dos (renovar): Levantar fondos adicionales de $250,000 by June 30th para completar las renovaciones. Actualmente, estamos trabajando en los planes para la renovación.
La compra de estas propiedades contiguas se cierra el día 5 de enero 2024. ¡Ya pronto! Nuestra meta es tener suficientes fondos levantados para cerrar la compra con efectivo y sin deudas. ¡Estamos invitando a todos nuestros amigos, asociaciones, y donadores a realizar una contribución especial y generosa para apoyar esta causa, antes del fin del año! ¡Este es nuestro momento para brillar! This is our time to shine! ¿Se unirá a nosotros en esto?
Pursuing a “New We”
Pursuing a “New We”
by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
So much of our world is seen through the lens of “us vs. them”. Politically it’s Democrats vs. Republicans. Sometimes we line up along urban vs. suburban lines, or native-born Americans vs. immigrants. Or, the Chiefs vs. the Eagles! In urban ministry, serving can not-so-subtly be understood as a privileged “us” serving a needy “them”.
At Mission Adelante, we believe God is calling us to create a “new we”, where people from all places belong, thrive, and do great things together. Instead of viewing the world as “us and them”, what if people from different nationalities, languages, cultures, and races were unified around our love for Jesus and for our neighbor?
Of course, this sounds almost too good to be true -- even a bit idealistic in such a divided world. Why is it so hard to live this out? There’s no chance I can answer that question in a few more sentences. However, it is happening at Mission Adelante! We are seeing racial reconciliation as we pursue racial justice together. We are seeing people from all places contributing with their gifts and talents as we make space for diverse leaders. We are enjoying the richness that immigrants and refugees bring as we celebrate each other’s cultures. And, as we worship Jesus together, we’re experiencing a taste of heaven as described in Revelation 7:9-10:
“ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS
MARCH 6TH TO MARCH 9TH
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 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 one of our obseveration nights the first week of March. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
A Dream Team Board of Directors
by Jarrett Meek
Being aware of and embracing the phases of an organization’s growth and development is not an easy task. Like parenting, each new phase of an organization requires different skills and intentional adjustments.
In the early growth stages of Mission Adelante, our board of directors was made up primarily of my own life-long friends who were excited to contribute to Mission Adelante’s mission and success. As a founder, I was grateful to have a trusted and competent group of people backing me in this endeavor. Because of our long-term relationships and shared history, alignment was easy and decision-making streamlined. In the midst of the many challenges that come with starting a new organization, our board of directors was a steady and uncomplicated source of encouragement and wisdom. That original board of directors largely stayed together for about 12 years, before some members began to transition off. They served well, gave generously, and used their gifts and experience to provide a healthy and stable foundation for the ministry during our early phases of growth.
Mission Adelante is now in a new stage of development as we move toward maturity and next generation leadership. One of the most important aspects of this maturing process starts with our board of directors. Over the last few years, we’ve been active in pursuing new board members from all places who bring perspectives from diverse cultural backgrounds as well as strengths and experiences that address some of the most important big-picture needs of our ministry. What we have now is an exciting, energized, and diverse group of leaders who are contributing in new ways to the success of Mission Adelante! I’m thrilled to introduce you to our Dream Team board of directors!
Todd Jones, an attorney working in the Commercial Title Insurance industry, serves as our Chairperson. Todd joined our board in 2006 and has provided continuity through the evolution of our board over the years.
Ariel Griffin, whose father immigrated from Nigeria, is our Secretary and originally served with Mission Adelante as a college intern in 2011. She has earned two Master’s degrees and serves on a variety of boards.
Michael Fry, our Treasurer, is the co-founder and owner of Brown Button Estate Sales, bringing business and entrepreneurial experience to the table.
Israel Guillermo immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico as a child, and understands the challenges of growing up in new country. He has earned a Master’s degree in Project Management and works in I.T.. Israel serves on our Education and Advocacy committee.
Reid Kapple, a local Pastor, brings a theological depth, extensive experience with the local church, and a passion for issues of biblical justice, especially related to immigration. He serves on our Education and Advocacy Committee.
Kori Carew, an attorney who immigrated from Sierra Leone, is a professional speaker, coach and trainer specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion. She is passionate about coaching and mentoring leaders and others to create belonging in organizations. Kori also serves on our Education and Advocacy Committee.
Steve Steddom interacted frequently with Mission Adelante over many years in his previous role as the Executive Director of the Harry J. Lloyd Charitable Trust. Steve has recently earned his PhD and is now a nonprofit consultant and coach with expertise in philanthropy. Steve serves on our Partner Engagement and Fundraising Committee.
Nayeli Flores, an entrepreneur from Mexico, earned her Master’s in Business Administration in Spain. She currently serves as the President of the Kansas City chapter of the Global Network of Mexican Professionals (Red Global MX). She serves on our Partner Engagement and Fundraising Committee.
Felipe Ham was part of the original team of volunteers who started Mission Adelante. After years of serving in our children’s ministry, he joined our Board of Directors and serves on our Ministry and Personnel Committee.
Wendy English first connected with our ministry as a volunteer in our Youth Club. In the marketplace, she works in Human Resources as a Corporate Recruiter. She serves on our Ministry and Personnel Committee.
Jarrett Meek, that’s me! As Pastor and Executive Director, it is my joy to work with this Dream Team of board members to lead Mission Adelante into an exciting future!
For more about our Board of Directors, please visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/board
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 one of our obseveration nights the first week of March. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
Thank You -- The Celebration Continues!
by Jarrett Meek, Pastor, Founder, Executive Director
“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.” Psalm 111:1-4
I have seen, once again, that God does move mountains. And, I can’t stop giving Him thanks! And, I thank YOU, for your generosity and love for the Mission Adelante community.
It’s normal for churches and nonprofit organizations to receive a large portion of their annual funding in November and December. On November 1st, when we calculated what was still needed to meet our annual fundraising goal, the number was about $230,000, quite a bit more than past years. I walked out of my office and called our staff together for a brief update -- I was excited-- you can ask them! The number was daunting, but I’ve seen God move before to provide for Mission Adelante, and I believed He would do it again. And, I really was excited to see how He would surprise us, who would step forward in generosity, where this provision would come from. Seeing God move mountains and generous people share their resources for a Kingdom purpose has become one of the things I love most about fundraising!
If you followed along on social media, you may have seen our update posts. Slow progress at first, and then $126k, then $160k, $180k, $199k, $210k, and on New Year’s Eve we broke past the goal, hitting $233k. Now, after we picked up the final batch of checks from our P.O. Box, the year-end tally has reached $250k!
“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Friends, I’m praising God, and I am so very thankful to you, as well. Thank you for your generosity, for your love for our community, for believing in our ministry, and for sharing your resources to further our mission to make disciples with people from all places. Even as we are looking forward to what God will do in 2023, we are still celebrating 2022. Celebrate with us by saying a prayer of Thanksgiving to the God of all creation!
Volunteer Orientation
January 7, 2023 from 9:00am to 12:30pm
Join us on Saturday morning, January 7th to learn more about volunteering at Mission Adelante. We’ll spend a morning together, learning about Mission Adelante and getting training for your area of interest. We especially need volunteers for this upcoming trimester for our kids ministries on Monday and Thursday evenings. Other opportunities include Youth ministries , and Adult ESL and Citizenship classes. Fill out an interest form to let us know you’re coming!
Celebrate 2022: The Final Countdown!
by Jarrett Meek, Founder/Pastor/Executive Director
The year 2022 is coming to a close and there is a lot to celebrate! Of course, we’re working on year-end giving and we’re standing in awe of God’s provision and the generosity of so many friends. To date, we’ve received $216,000 toward our year-end goal of $230,000. We’re just $14,000 away from meeting this outrageous goal! As we count down to the end of 2022 and the beginning of a new year, would you consider celebrating with us by making gift TODAY? We would love to see a wave of support on this last day of the year that pushes us over the line. Gifts of $50, $100, $200, or more… any amount would be helpful and be wind in our sails as we gear up for another fruitful year of making disciples with people from all places.
Here are a few things that we’re celebrating from 2022: KU Men’s Basketball- NCAA Champions, My dad finishing a 5K after 3 brain surgeries earlier this year, My daughter Annie getting married, an awesome summer trimester, another year of amazing English students, several baptisms, Lionel Messi and Argentina winning the World Cup, K-State Wildcats Foot winning the Big 12 Championship (and the Sugar Bowl tonight?!).
Volunteer Orientation
January 7, 2023 from 9:00am to 12:30pm
Join us on Saturday morning, January 7th to learn more about volunteering at Mission Adelante. We’ll spend a morning together, learning about Mission Adelante and getting training for your area of interest. We especially need volunteers for this upcoming trimester for our kids ministries on Monday and Thursday evenings. Other opportunities include Youth ministries , and Adult ESL and Citizenship classes. Fill out an interest form to let us know you’re coming!
Financial Stewardship Matters
A commitment to integrity and sound financial procedures is critical to the trust relationship non-profit organizations have with their donors and the communities they serve. What is the gold standard for financial integrity and accountability within the Christian nonprofit world? The Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Celebrate 2022: A Year-end Giving Opportunity
Celebrate 2022 is an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness in your life and the ministry of Mission Adelante this year, by making a year-end contribution to support Mission Adelante. Our year-end goal is $230,000!
by Jarrett Meek, Founder, Pastor, Executive Director
This is the time of year when we celebrate -- Thanksgiving, family, friends, Christmas, and a New Year! At Mission Adelante, we are celebrating the beautiful fruits of an exciting ministry season and all that God has done in our midst. Coming off the pandemic, we saw renewed momentum and an acceleration of growth in nearly every area of our ministry: disciples growing in faith, leaders developing, and friends from all places learning English, becoming citizens, starting businesses. We are coming to the end of the year with full hearts and a great sense of hope for what the Lord will do in the year to come.
In 2023, we are looking forward to growth in a few important areas:
In January, we will promote Elizabeth Torres to the role of Executive Director of Adelante Thrift. As General Manager, she has developed a healthy staff culture and has overseen 45% growth in sales in the last 3 years.
We are excited to be part of the formation of a local network of Christian Community Development practitioners, who share our heart to see individuals and under-resourced communities flourish.
We will continue to press into developing our young staff and apprentices. They are already making a tremendous impact, and we want to help them reach their potential as leaders in ministry.
We are looking forward to deepening our partnerships across the metro to foster more collaboration around entrepreneurship, advocacy for immigrants, and diverse leadership development.
The foundational work of making disciples with children, youth, and adults continues to flourish, and we’re looking forward to further growth in these areas as our programs continue to expand.
Generosity is a celebration of God’s past faithfulness and a forward-looking, faith-filled deposit toward what we long to celebrate in the future. This year, as November began, we set the goal of raising $230,000 in the final two months of the year. These funds will help us meet our annual budget and set us up for success to start the new year. As we celebrate this year and look ahead to 2023, will you celebrate with us, by making a special year-end contribution? Giving is easy at www.missionadelante.org/give.
January 7, 2023, 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Join our volunteer team and work with kids, youth, or adults over the course of a 12-week trimester! On January 7th, we’ll spend a morning together, learning about Mission Adelante and getting training for your area of interest. Check out our website to learn more about specific volunteer opportunities. Fill out a volunteer interest form to let us know you’re coming to the orientation!
