One Year of Welcoming Refugees

ONE YEAR OF Welcoming Refugees

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

Let me tell you a story of a remarkable journey—the journey of our first year of Refugee Resettlement at Mission Adelante. If you didn't know, refugee resettlement programs run on the government's fiscal year, meaning we opened our doors to the possibility of welcoming refugees on October 1, 2023. However, we didn't see our first case arrive until the end of January 2024; from January through June, we received a steady flow of cases, with 40 clients over five months. We were just over halfway to meeting our goal of welcoming 75 individuals in the year. We had seen clients from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Sudan, Nicaragua, The Congo, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.  

Then, we received a call from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), requesting organizations to increase their numbers to meet the overwhelming need for resettlement. After discussion and prayer, we received permission from our State Refugee Coordinator to increase our resettlement goal for the year to 100 individuals. We welcomed 60 new Americans to Kansas City from early July to mid-September. We began to see our first clients settling in, establishing themselves in our community, calling this new place their home, and turning around to welcome other newcomers.

One thing we didn't account for was how, in our agreement with PRM, they are allowed to send us up to an additional 10% of our designated goal, so we ended up rounding out the year welcoming an additional ten people in the last few days of September, with 9 of them arriving on the very last day of Fiscal Year 2024, wrapping up our year with 110 new Kansas Citians!

When we welcomed our first couple on January 25, 2024, none of us could have predicted the growth our team would undergo. We’ve expanded from 1.5 staff members to 8 full-time team members. This growth is a testament to our dedication and the success of our program, the commitment to welcoming well, and because of the partnership of World Relief and the Kansas Office of Refugees. We now have programs catering to employment, medical, and English needs. Some of our clients and their children have joined in with the other programs hosted by Mission Adelante. We've also witnessed the Church of Kansas City extending the warmest of welcomes to our new friends, and for this, we are incredibly grateful! 

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

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 volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Thank you, Mission Adelante!

Thank you, Mission Adelante!

by Ryan Galue

My name is Ryan Galue, and today I want to share about my journey with Mission Adelante, the U.S. resettlement agency. I am Venezuelan and have been living in Colombia for nearly five years, where I managed to obtain legal status. This legal status was crucial, as one of the main requirements for participating in the resettlement program is having legal residency in Colombia. After several interviews, medical exams, and cultural orientation sessions, I finally received the life-changing news—I had been accepted into the program and would soon be traveling to the United States.

That moment was filled with immense joy. Achieving something I had long dreamed of, and doing so through a legal process, was an incredible feeling. But soon after the excitement came the inevitable doubts. What would the process be like? How would I be received? How would I be treated? I was about to emigrate again, starting from scratch, but I always remembered it wouldn’t be my first time.

The day of my departure finally arrived. The agency in Colombia supported me with excellence, from the moment they picked me up at my home in Colombia until I arrived at the airport and eventually at my first destination. I had mixed feelings and felt a lot of anxiety, but the thought that I would now be in a better position to support my family helped me calm down. After my first flight, I boarded another plane to Kansas City, Kansas, which is where I currently live.

Upon arriving at the airport in Kansas, I was warmly welcomed by people from Mission Adelante. A group of women greeted me with so much kindness, filling me with joy and confidence, which helped ease my anxiety. Mission Adelante has been a pillar throughout this process, assisting me with everything from the moment I arrived. They’ve helped me obtain all the necessary legal documents, guided me through the medical process, assisted with food, and helped me find a welcoming place to live where I could feel at home.

One of the most emotional moments came when I moved into my current apartment and saw photos of my family—people I love and miss dearly. I hope that one day soon, I’ll be able to have them here with me. For this, I owe a massive thank you and blessings to Mission Adelante and their entire team. From the person who picked me up at the airport to the ones helping with all my paperwork, I wish them all the best and hope that God continues to guide and support their excellent work.

P.S. As a proud Venezuelan from Maracaibo, I showed my gratitude by making empanadas for the staff at Mission Adelante—and now, they LOVE them! 🙂

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.

A Sisters Love

A Sister’s Love

by Carla Garcia, Kids Ministry Director


I was the oldest sister in my family growing up, which meant having a lot of responsibility over my two younger brothers. My parents both worked two jobs and being an immigrant family meant there was always a financial goal to be working on. My parents were around before going to work early in the morning and then arrived back home late at night. This meant I was responsible for my brothers during the daytime. 

When school was in session, my workload was cut in half since I’d only be in charge of my brothers during the evening. I would make them meals, make sure they did their homework, and walk them to and from school. For the majority of my childhood and adolescence, it felt like I was a third parent in my household. Due to this familial dynamic, my brothers and I grew very close. Till this day they share their worries and struggles with me, are elated to celebrate their victories with me, and count on me for support and guidance in their adult lives. 

My family was not religious growing up, in fact, we only went to church for special occasions, and maybe only prayed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. My childhood was one that was full of turmoil and lacked hope. My life changed forever as a young adult when I met Jesus, it was like a light had been turned on in my life. Since that moment, I have a renewed sense of hope – A hope that is so big and so strong that no matter what comes my way, I know I will be standing firmly on solid ground. After this key moment in my life, I would pray from time to time for my family to have this same experience.

Recently, my baby brother began working with me at Mission Adelante. It has been so rewarding and fulfilling to see him step up as a leader and begin learning skills that will help him in the future. He is great with the kids, has invested so much time and care into his relationship with them, and has brought so many new fun ideas to our ministry team. Many times, I find myself pondering and treasuring these things in my heart like Mary in Luke 2:19.


But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.   Luke 2:19 NIV

My heart was so full the first time I heard my baby brother pray at our staff huddle. Like Mary, I knew it was nothing that I had done - it was the Lord, who had a plan for my brother, all along, and the time had arrived for me to bear witness. I continue to pray for the rest of my family to encounter Jesus in a way that is so powerful, so tangible, so clear. But for now I watch Erick closely, relishing in his new found hope and admiring all that the Lord is doing in him and through him.

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.

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.

To a New Beginning

To a New Beginning

By Erick Flores, Ministry Apprentice

I’m just at a loss for words on how my start at Mission Adelante has gone. I needed a new job as I was trying my best to leave a toxic and unhappy work environment. My older sister, Carla, showed me an open position at Mission Adelante, and suddenly the Lord blessed me with an open door to a whole new world of possibilities. Patrique reached out to me with a job offer and I happily accepted it. I prepared myself for weeks as I was entering a new journey in life.

I joined halfway into the second trimester of programs, which meant I was unable to get an easy start. Luckily, I was able to jump right in where I was needed and did a decent job! With an amazing staff welcoming me into Mission Adelante, I felt like I was home. We also had an amazing Summer Intern group and I built the best relationships with every single one of them. On top of that, Arts Camp started my second week of work, and it went amazing! Mikya did a great job teaching me how to be a leader; she’ll be handing off her throne to me as I will lead Arts Camp next year. Mikya did a great job passing on her responsibilities. I feel very prepared with no stress at all! Patrique also gave me an overview of Youth Club. I have started to get more and more comfortable leading some weeks and have grown my relationships with so many youth!  

Spending the summer with the interns definitely gave me brain rot! But in all honesty, I couldn’t have gotten through the summer without the interns. They just made every day fun and they would always come in with a smile on their faces, ready to spend the day learning! Even on a tough day, they just knew how to make me laugh and get me in a better mood. Joining them on their internship activities, I was able to learn more about the value of the internship, learn more about the city, and give back to the community by doing community service. I just loved seeing in the little time I had with them how they matured over the summer and were becoming young adults. I have very high hopes for their future! 

It makes me very happy that I was able to conclude this summer with end-of-trimester parties and retreats! At Arts Community, we had a dance party! At Youth Club, we played Olympic games and had a Lake House Retreat last weekend! At Kids Adelante, we ended with a water slide party! The Interns had a weekend away from KC to clear their minds before they entered the school year. And to top it all off, we threw a big summer party! It was definitely a very successful summer and I look forward to the third trimester when all our programs resume again! I’m going to end this article with a passage in the bible I looked up to as I was entering Mission Adelante, Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”. I trusted the Lord to take me wherever he desires and He found the perfect home for me. 

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.

How Newcomers Are Helping Others Find Their Way

From Refugee to Resilient: How Newcomers Are Helping Others Find Their Way

By Amy Herman, Initial Resettlement Director



Have you faced a tough time in your life?  Did you go through something you thought no one could ever relate to?  If so, what did you do on the other side of that trial?

Every week, I am amazed by the resilience of our refugee friends, who are escaping challenges we can’t begin to comprehend.  From the moment we receive them at the airport from their emotionally exhausting journey, you can feel the apprehension and anxiety, but also a sense of relief.  We always attempt to make our new friends as comfortable as we can with smiles, hugs or handshakes, and even fun welcoming signage letting them know we are so happy to meet them!

As we take the long, daunting walk down the gate corridor towards the baggage claim,  you can feel their uneasiness.   We gather their luggage and take the family  to their temporary accommodations.  For the next 90 days, our new friends will go through many things.  Lots of paperwork, doctor’s appointments, cultural orientation, school enrollment, job searches, and so much more.  The first 90 days, known as the reception and placement period, are very busy.  Our refugee friends experience many emotions.  Thankfulness, depression, hopefulness and hopelessness, inclusion, and acceptance can be among those.  

One of our answers to helping our new friends learn about life in the United States, is called a Good Neighbor Team (GNT).  These caring groups of volunteers from businesses, churches, the community and small groups come alongside our families for 6-12 months and forge beautiful friendships.

While our existing Good Neighbor Teams consist of those mentioned above, I recently sat down in a classroom at Mission Adelante, across from three of our refugee friends and a co-worker, who want to take their experience and give back to other refugees who are coming after them!  These amazing friends want to form their own GNT! 

As we poured over our coffee these three women told us about their experiences the last several months. We shared laughter of things they didn’t know upon their arrival, but now completely understand.  They cried over the things they have experienced and the family and friends they had to leave behind.  They marveled over the things they are grateful for like clean running water that they can access more than once a month, beds to sleep on, Good Neighbor Teams, even an amazing landlord who has become family and taught them so many things and all of the staff of Mission Adelante.   They shared some of their amazing ideas that I have no doubt we will be implementing very soon.   When I asked them what they miss most about their home countries, they responded that it is their family.   But, each of them reflected that their Good Neighbor Teams, their landlord, other refugee families and Mission Adelante have become their family.  I am humbled watching these friends wanting to use what they have gone through and turn their trial into a triumph and give back in such a relational way.

When I took this job in March of this year, I prayed that our newly arriving friends would feel welcomed and cared for and I looked forward to opening my heart to new relationships.  I never imagined how quickly these amazing leaders would emerge from within our refugee community.  I have seen many things like this over the last 6 months.  One man donated a bicycle to Mission Adelante, which he had used for months to commute to work, now that he has a car.  3 other men reached out to let me know when they get off work and if we need them to go welcome people from their countries at the airport or move furniture or set up apartments, they would be there!  

At Mission Adelante we have several core values.  Four that stand out to me this week are Prayer, Developing Leaders, Love for Neighbor, Interdependent relationships.  I am so grateful for these emerging leaders who want to love their newly arriving refugee neighbors the way they were loved and cared for when they arrived in KC.  

If you would like to join a Good Neighbor Team, contact randpdirector@missionadelante.org or sign up this week for our training session on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:30.   https://missionadelante.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/134/responses/new.  

A Good Neighbor Team who completed an apartment set up

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 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.

Finding a Home

Finding a home

By Caleb Miller, Refugee Empowerment Director

The summer before I turned 16, I found out that my family would be moving to Minnesota. Any move is a big deal in one way or another, but I’d never lived in the Midwest before. In fact, my family had been living outside the US for the past 8 years, where my dad had been teaching at an international university in Prague, Czech Republic. Soon, the implications of switching schools halfway through high school, leaving my childhood community, and starting over in a country that felt foreign and strange began to sink in. There would be culture shock as I’d have to go from a class of 4 kids with 4 passport countries to a class of 400. Though, to be fair, there would end up being about the same amount of countries represented. We didn’t have any friends or family in Minnesota. I had been able to take public transportation wherever I wanted for years, but now I would have to go to driving school and get hours and borrow the car anytime I wanted to go anywhere else. It was daunting. When we arrived, people began to ask where I was from and if I said the Czech Republic, they’d ask why my English was so good. But it didn’t feel like I was from the US - I’d lived in Dallas until I was 8 and barely remembered any of it. I started having to figure out what home was and realized I might not have one, at least in the sense that most of my classmates in Minnesota did.

^ First family picture in our new home in Prague

Let’s fast forward a bit.

I’m Caleb, and I started working at Mission Adelante four months ago. My position has shifted a bit since then, but currently I’m on the Ongoing Services side of our Refugee Resettlement team. One of my main priorities is helping our refugees find employment, but our Ongoing Services team also oversees programs such as ESL, Cultural Orientation, and Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance. I help our refugee clients set goals, make resumes, apply for jobs, and learn about work life and expectations here. It’s been a joy to work with refugees from 4 continents, but I can’t help but think about how they’ll also have to figure out how to answer questions about where they are from and where home is. Unlike me, however, they were forced to leave their homes. 

I don’t know about you, but for something to be home, it had to be safe, comfortable, and familiar. After Dallas, Prague, Minnesota, Michigan for college, and now Kansas City, I don’t feel like I can say I have one place I consider home. Many of my friends have moved around, my parents are now in Idaho, and my brother is almost off to Switzerland for the rest of the year, so all of the pieces that comprise home (family, places, friends, memories, sights, smells) are scattered. Instead, I have pockets of home that meet the criteria of safe, comfortable, and familiar. For a while, making sense of my identity was tough because it felt scattered and hard to define until eventually I realized that it’s actually wide-reaching and diverse. 

But these last four months of working with refugees has challenged my definition of home. Unsurprisingly, they overwhelmingly still consider their native countries to be home. However, the reason they had to leave was because it had become unsafe, uncomfortable, and had often changed in some way that made it unfamiliar compared to what it used to be. What is home, then? The people and places and memories in my life still feel like home, and mine just happen to feel safe, comfortable, and familiar. So what else is it? I suppose home is really just a combination of the things we feel we belong to and the things that belong to us. 

Our refugees have a long road ahead of them in search of belonging here in the US. Some things we can help with and many are outside of our control. We can throw a man in his late 30s his first birthday party, give a kid their first toy, or celebrate a first car. We can’t erase the trauma that ironically allowed them the opportunity to come here, learn the language for them, or ensure those they meet outside of our team treat them with respect and patience as they figure things out. 

Despite having to move to several new and unfamiliar places, I’ve been able to make each of the spots feel a bit like home, and I’m excited for Mission Adelante to become a place where I can find belonging as I enter its community. Thanks for having me!

We each have our own unique relationship with the concept of home, but our refugees’ are distinct and sometimes it’s hard to know how to help. There are a few ways you can get involved that would be particularly helpful: 

Employment: We are always in search of companies that may have good opportunities available for our clients. Often these are entry level positions, and if there is any assistance with transportation, that’s a major plus. You can contact me at rssdirector@missionadelante.org if you have any leads in mind.

English Classes: We offer English classes on Monday nights for our refugees and are always looking for more volunteers. We will also be starting an additional class on Thursday mornings and would love to have volunteers assist with this as well. If you’re interested, you can email veronicag@missionadelante.org.

Good Neighbor Teams: One of the best ways to help our new families is to start a Good Neighbor Team. These teams are groups of around 8 who want to come alongside a new family in any number of ways. Often times, GNT’s will help take clients to appointments, study for the driving test, or set up their apartments. But it may also look like taking the family to the park, showing them around Kansas City, or having them over for dinner. If you want to learn more or would like to start a team, shoot an email to randpdirector@missionadelante.org

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 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.

What a Summer!

what a summer!

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director




There are many things I love about summer – predictably warm weather, enduring sunshine, afternoon ice cream, strappy sandals, floating in peaceful waters, and of course, obnoxiously cheering Jamaican athletes in the Olympics! To add to all that joy, the ministry that happens at Mission Adelante in the summer months is abundant and life-giving. 

With school out, the busy teenage schedule finally yields, spawning a golden time for our Youth Ministry. New and old participants bonded each Tuesday and Wednesday over intense games, indulgent food, and heartfelt discussions on Daniel’s courage! What’s more, our summer interns, Eli, Sonia, Unisha, and Keziah, were integral in curating the program experiences for our participants. Their fervor, creativity, and Gen Z slang were invaluable and made all the difference!  

Not only did we welcome our summer interns, but we were also thrilled to have Erick Flores join the Mission Adelante family as a Ministry Apprentice. After graduating from J.C. Harmon High School in the spring, Erick was moved to pursue a vocation serving kids and youth in his neighborhood. His experience participating in Mission Adelante programs in years past truly impressed upon him. He recalls the support he felt when mentors like Megan McDermott Fountain invested in him, especially during difficult seasons of his life. 

Following in Megan’s footsteps, Erick passionately walked alongside our summer interns. His team-building efforts (including debates on songs to add to the summer intern playlist), encouragement during long days of engaging kids and youth, and his counsel on matters big and small, helped the interns to thrive! Carla, Mikya, and I were honestly impressed.

To sum it all up in Jamaican terms, “mi glad bag buss”! In translation, “my glad bag burst”, which I would liken to the sentiments of David in Psalm 23:5 when his “cup runneth over.” The summer interns, program participants, volunteers, and even Erick’s arrival, were all answered prayers for us as a ministry team. God’s immense goodness was made manifest here in KCK this summer – and I get to bear witness!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 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.

Tenacity Amidst the Troubles & Trials

Tenacity Amidst the Troubles & Trials

by Elaine Reimers, Adult Ministry Director


A simple Google search for the definition of the word tenacity brought me to the well-known section of “People Also Ask” questions and one of the questions listed was: “What does it mean if someone has tenacity?” Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s answer to this question is: “Tenacious is a mostly positive term. If someone calls you tenacious you're probably the kind of person who never gives up and never stops trying – someone who does whatever is required to accomplish a goal. You may also be very stubborn.” Although there are a few definitions listed, a definition of tenacity according to Google is: “the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.”

I read this and immediately thought about the level of spiritual tenacity we as believers are having to develop in the middle of our personal and family life trials and troubles, not to mention in all of the chaos going on in the world we live in. Time continues to tick towards the return of the Lord and it seems that we must tighten the grip we have on our beliefs and our faith the closer we get. As the end times seemingly unfold before our eyes, how do we manage to remain steadfast in our walk and continue to fight the good fight? When nations are rising against nations and a pandemic claims the lives of around 7 million people (including people near and dear to us), how do we keep going? Although I don’t believe there are any wrong answers to these questions (provided that the answers help people to live a tenacious and God-pleasing life), I do know that God calls us to press on no matter what!

You don’t have to read very far into the Holy Bible to come across what I believe to be the very first example of tenacity- like EVER! Genesis 1:1 begins the story of the six days of the creation of the Heavens and the earth “in all their vast array” (Gen. 2:1, NIV). Then, after all of His tenacious work, Genesis 2:2 states that “on the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done” (NIV). Most of us can’t get through five days of work without feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, and that’s normally only 40 to 50 hours per week. The way I interpret the story of creation is that God worked tirelessly and relentlessly for 6 days straight! That is 144 hours of non-stop creative thinking and speaking things into existence. Psalm 121:3 (NIV) tells us that He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Now, I know we can never measure up to an all-powerful God on any level, but I have to believe that we embody at least a smidge of His tenacity since we were in fact made in His image and likeness (Gen.1:26, NIV). Although we will never be as great as the Great I AM, His example of tenacity in the story of creation is certainly inspiring and absolutely unique!

The other example of tenacity that stood out to me is from the Gospel of Luke. In chapter 18, verses 1 through 8, Jesus tells the disciples another one of His many simple (but OH-SO-GOOD!) parables about a careless and godless judge who, for some time, refused to grant a widow justice against her adversaries. The unnamed widow diligently and unceasingly pleaded with him until, due to her stubborn (or tenacious) will for justice, he finally granted it to her saying that even though he doesn’t fear God or care about people, he would grant justice to her so she would stop bothering him! Scripture states that Jesus shared this story with the Twelve to encourage them to pray and not give up. He closed the storytime asking the disciples if the godless and careless judge granted the widow justice, won’t God grant justice to His chosen ones who cry out day and night? Jesus promised not to put us off, and He promised justice, and quickly even! 

It is so comforting to know that we don’t have to fight for justice and for things to be made right. We serve a God- THE God -who created the Heavens and the earth. He understands our exhaustion and our worries completely and He knows exactly what we need and when. We have access to Him through prayer and, believe it or not, we have permission to “bother” Him with our needs and concerns according to the previously mentioned parable straight from the mouth of Jesus. I encourage you as I encourage myself with this: No matter what you’re going through…don’t give up! No! Don’t give in, don’t stop, hang in there, stay strong, and never say die because God’s Word says “blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12, NIV).

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 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.

There’s still a still small voice



There’s still a still small voice

Written by Dan Taylor, Partner Engagement Volunteer.


In the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, the prophet Elijah is looking for an answer from God to the chaos that surrounds him. He gets that answer in chapter 19, verses 11-12…

… the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind shook the mountains… but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice….

This happened several thousand years before the internet. And several thousand years before cable news. And before Facebook, or Instagram, or Twitter, (or X, as it’s called now), and certainly before TikTok. But in some ways, Elijah was having a very modern experience.

He wanted to hear from God, but God wasn’t in the dramatic, loud, obvious things around him. God did not have the largest number of fans, He didn’t have the most followers, He didn’t even have a lot of “likes.”

There’s a lesson here for us as we look for insight from God today. God knows us, understands us, and loves us, as individuals. He doesn’t love your state, or your county, or your neighborhood.

He loves you.

He wants to support you and guide you to a life full of blessings, but He isn’t going to shout at you. No one is going to forward you God’s direction for your life, He’s not posting anything. The G in GPS doesn’t stand for God.

God is in the quiet things, the subtle things, the things that seem small. A little urge to do something selfless for someone. An impulse to ask how someone’s doing. A moment where you turn off and shut out everything that isn’t God, that’s where you find God.

No one else can do this for you. There certainly isn’t a site, or a channel, or a newsfeed that will do it. But in quiet moments, away from the seemingly constant noisy voices that crash and bang and shake the world, there is still a still small voice.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
JOIN US FOR VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER 7TH AT 9:00M

Join our team of volunteers for the summer trimester and be part of "loving people from all places." Attend our volunteer orientation on September 7th, 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 volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

From Volunteers to Friends

From Volunteers to Friends

by Jill McDonald- Burger , Refugee ESL volunteer


My husband and I have volunteered with the Refugee ESL program at Mission Adelante for a couple of years now.  We began this journey in support of our daughter, Veronica Garcia, who was following her passions and accepted her dream job as ESL Education Director here.  What began as our passion to support her, became our own passion to connect and share life with new friends from many places.  These new friends are very near and dear to our heart!  Our desire to be a local support system to these new friends has blessed us more than we could ever imagine.  We have often welcomed them in our home, shared meals, helped with car problems, and prayed for each other continually. 

We have watched the students grow in knowledge, confidence, and strength.  We have laughed together so many times, I tear up just thinking about the joy they have brought to my life!  We have also hugged and cried together for a variety of reasons. It is good to have a shoulder to lean on and some words of encouragement when the challenges of life get heavy.

The skills we have acquired by loving people from all places, learning to listen to their stories, and understand their culture, have already been an asset to us in connecting with other people and making new friends. Understanding and respecting our differences is what makes us unique and interesting. This experience will bless us and others for years to come.  Thank you, Mission Adelante, for giving us a place to discover these joyful and wonderful connections!

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

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 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

ARTS CAMP

by Mikya Wright, Children Ministry Apprentice




	“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalms 139:14.


That was the theme of this year's Arts Camp because we believe wholeheartedly that every child is fearfully and wonderfully made! The Lord is faithful as always, and that was shown time and time again during our Arts Camp last week.

This past Monday through Thursday our building was so full of excitement and laughter! We welcomed over 100 kids through our doors, and over 20 volunteers helped pull this huge event together. I am beyond grateful for the generosity and the love shown by our amazing volunteers who took time out of their super busy schedules to come serve with us! We had awesome community presenters come and share with the kids about the different arts. We had Caroline from Epic Clay Studio share about pottery, and Liz from UMKC came and played the flute for the kids, and even made up a song with their help!

We had 11 classes - arts & crafts, crochet, jewelry, sports, keyboard, guitar, keyboard, dance, theater, cooking, and candlemaking. The kids had a blast learning new skills and developing friendships with other students and teachers! On top of all the fun, the week went so smoothly and everyone stayed safe, which is just as important to us as the fun times. On the last day, we had a water party to celebrate! We had two waterslides, a dunk tank, face painting, lots of food, and a huge water balloon fight to end the week!

I want to say a huge, huge thank you to Carla Garcia, Patrique Harris, Erick Flores, and the interns! Carla and I have been planning Arts Camp 2024 since last year, and I truly would not have been able to lead last week without all of her guidance and support. She has been the best mentor and supervisor that I could have ever asked for, and she has empowered me to be the best version of myself.

Patrique has also been one of my mentors since I did the summer internship three years ago! She supported me so much during camp, as she does every day! And, she taught her dance class the Wacky Dip which was so fun to watch. I have known Erick for a while because we both went to the Teens Program back in the day! He started working as an apprentice a few weeks ago, so we have partnered very closely with the interns leading various programs. He was a fantastic co-leader! Even though this was his first Arts Camp, he dove right in and didn’t hesitate to do what needed to be done. He goes above and beyond for the kids here at MA, and I can already tell how deeply he cares for each of the kids here.

Lastly, thank you to our amazing summer interns, Eli, Sonia, Unisha, and Keziah! They got to camp early and stayed late, and they went the extra mile the whole week to make everything go as smoothly and as fun as possible. It has been a full summer for them, but they never cease to show up with the most energy in the room, ready to serve our community! Carla, Patrique, Erick, and the interns - I love you all so dearly and am overwhelmed by how much you all mean to me!

I think it is safe to say that Arts Camp 2024 was a success! As I was walking a few kids home after the first day, I asked them how their day was, and the 6-year-old boy, whose family just moved to KC as refugees said, “It. was. perfect.” And I can’t help but agree! Thank you to all the kids, volunteers, and staff for making Arts Camp perfect!!

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 volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve

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

Expecting the Unexpected: Welcoming Refugees with Mission Adelante

Expecting the Unexpected: Welcoming Refugees with Mission Adelante

by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director

When Jarrett reached out to me about 18 months ago with the idea of opening a resettlement agency at Mission Adelante in partnership with World Relief, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  When we got our first assurances in November of 2023,  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  And when our first arrivals made it to Kansas City in January of 2024, I still wasn’t sure what to expect. We have now welcomed 51 individuals from 23 cases to Kansas City, and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected.  

We have seen many unexpected hard things, from difficulties securing apartments, and first jobs.  Influxes of many cases at the same time, to having a hard time finding interpreters for minority languages.  We’ve had folks who have health problems and clients displaced by an apartment fire.  We’ve walked with folks as they’ve learned that America isn’t always like what they’ve seen in the movies, as they’ve been shaken by cultural changes and had to face past traumas head-on. 

But with the unexpected hard has been the unexpected good. With the addition of KSOR grants came the addition of many new team members.  We have seen relationships and friendships formed with volunteers and community members.  We’ve met some great landlords who want to see new Americans thrive. We’ve seen job placements with a starting wage of around $17 an hour!  We’ve seen hugs and smiles as clients settle in and move on from having intensive needs but come back to pay us a visit or bring us some empanadas. We’ve met new people and extended a warm welcome to 51 people from all OVER the world!  

If I had to summarize my time so far back with Mission Adelante, it would be to expect the unexpected. It’s a wild ride, but it is beautiful. The great news is, that we’ve got plenty of room on this wild ride!  We are looking to add volunteers to our Good Neighbor Teams and English classes.  We are also looking for landlords and employers to grow our networks with. If you would like to come along with us, please reach out! 

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

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 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 Journey of Emigrating: My Personal Transformation

the inner Journey of Emigrating: My Personal Transformation

by Yanelis Lopez, CMA Director


Emigrating to another country has been one of the most profound and transformative experiences of my life. This journey has not only involved a change of residence but also an inner voyage that has led me to discover new facets of myself and even reevaluate my identity. It has been a process filled with challenges and revelations that have made me someone different. Because, of course, emigrating changes you and transforms your soul; in my case, it has been a liberating journey.

Leaving my homeland, my family, and friends was an extremely difficult decision. I vividly remember the day I packed my belongings, leaving behind everything that had previously come naturally to me to embark on the unknown. However, this detachment also led me to deeply value my roots and understand the importance of the connections I left behind.

Upon arriving in the US, I began to hear the word resilience very frequently... and it became a word that resonated deeply with me, describing the aftermath of the profound change faced by those who emigrate. Arriving in a new country was like starting from scratch. Learning a new language, adapting to different customs and social norms, and finding my place in a foreign community were challenges that tested my resilience. There were moments of frustration and loneliness, but each obstacle overcome taught me to be more flexible and to face the unknown courageously. Resilience became a constant companion on this journey.

As I navigated through these challenges, I began to discover internal strengths that I was unaware of. The ability to creatively solve problems, the courage to confront the unknown, and the perseverance to move forward despite obstacles were revealed and strengthened during this process. These experiences boosted my self-esteem and made me aware of my ability to adapt and thrive in adverse circumstances.

Emigrating allowed me to reconstruct and redefine my identity. Interacting with a new culture and integrating aspects of it with my own heritage led me to create a hybrid identity. This new perspective enriched my worldview and allowed me to appreciate cultural diversity in a deeper way. I became a more complex and complete version of myself.

Seeking belonging in a new community was an essential part of my migration experience. Building meaningful relationships and finding a sense of community was not easy, but each connection I made offered me support and a sense of home in my new environment. The support from my new friends helped me establish a stable emotional foundation in my new life.

Migration also led me to deeper reflection on my purpose in life and my faith. The challenges and distance from the familiar prompted me to seek deeper comfort and guidance in Jesus. He became an even more constant source of strength and hope during difficult times, providing me with a solid foundation on which to build my new life.

Emigrating has been an inward journey full of self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth. Not only did I rebuild my life in a new country, but I also rebuilt myself. Emigrating has transformed me, and I am deeply grateful.

Help Our Refugee Families

Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:

  • Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3

  • Hygiene kits

  • Vacuums

You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.

For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.

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.

Adelante Arts Camp 2024

Adelante Arts Camp 2024

by Carla Garcia, Kids Ministry Director


It is that time of year again! Summer is here: the sun is shining, the AC is blasting, and at Mission Adelante the summer activities are well underway. We have been planning for this summer for a few months now and it is great to finally be able to see those plans come to fruition! From a crazy, fun car wash to weekly learning and joy at our kids and youth programs, it has already been an exciting summer. Adelante Arts Camp 2024 is the next big event on our radar! 

This year Adelante Arts Camp is from Monday, July 8th to Thursday, July 11th. Our apprentices, Mikya Wright and Erick Flores, will be solely leading this year’s camp. It will be exciting for them to use their leadership skills and God-given gifts and talents to lead our volunteers and campers. We have increased the number of classes we are offering this year to 11! We have cooking, theater, arts and crafts, sports, candlemaking, and much more. The camp will take place from 10am to 2pm each day and breakfast and lunch will be for each camper. We are excited to announce that we will have a delicious cookout and a water carnival on our last day of camp! 

None of this would be possible without the help and generosity of our amazing volunteers and donors! People from all over the city, representing different churches and organizations, are eager to join hands with us in this summer adventure. It has been magnificent to see how God is working through others to bless the kids in our community. Thank you to all those who have been a part of this journey to ensure our kids have an amazing time at Adelante Arts Camp 2024. 

Here are a few ways you can join hands with us this summer:

  • If you are interested in having your child join us for Adelante Arts Camp 2024, please use the QR code below to register. We still have spots availble in many of our classes and all kids ages 5-15, from all around our city are welcome to join!

  • If you would like to join in on the fun and volunteer at Adelante Arts Camp 2024, please contact Mikya Wright at mikyaw@missionadelante.org. We are currently in need of volunteers to help out with breakfast/lunch and help lead our classes.

  • Check out our Amazon wishlist and help us obtain everything we need for camp this year: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KW85AOL2T13K?ref_=wl_share

  • Pray for the safety of our kids and volunteers, that our camp will be a place for all to enjoy and learn, and that we are prepared and ready come July 8th

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: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe

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.

An Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships

Good Neighbor Teams…an Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships

By Amy Herman, Reception and Placement Director



I joined the Mission Adelante staff just three short months ago and have already had the amazing privilege of meeting many new friends from at least 11 different countries!  Everyday I find myself wondering what it must be like to be a stranger in a strange land?  To be forced to leave everything and everyone you know, to start over, sometimes at a moment’s notice?  

I have enjoyed welcoming our new friends to K.C., and helping them learn about American culture. It has been a mutual learning experience of learning about their culture, learning words in new languages, drinking some delicious tea from Afghanistan and even some Injera bread, a staple in Eritrea.  

Right here in Kansas City, refugees and other immigrants in the United States are in need of people like you:  local community members who will welcome and help them navigate new challenges as they seek to rebuild their lives in the U.S.  We call these teams, Good Neighbor Teams. GNT’s are matched with refugees and commit to walking alongside newcomers for the first 6-12 months, with the goal that each refugee who arrives to the U.S. will feel the warm welcome of his/her local community.  

When asked why she participates on a GNT, Kristin Cooke says, “ Involving our whole family on a Good Neighbor Team is so special not only because our kids learn about helping others, but the bond children can make instantly is truly a gift from God”.  

Would you and your friends, family, church, or business, be interested in connecting with a refugee family?  We are looking for teams of 6-8 who would like the opportunity to steward long-term reciprocal relationships.  This could look like many different things, but spending time together, learning from one another,  supporting, and empowering the newcomers as they learn to navigate and make a home here is so important to the role Good Neighbor Teams play.  This could include airport pick-up, rides to appointments, housing set up, homework and school navigation, and more.  If you are interested in participating in a Good Neighbor Team, but don’t have a full team to serve with, we will try to connect you with others in a similar situation to form a full GNT.   Contact me at randpdirector@missionadelante.org if you are interested. 

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/observe

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.

Our Leadership Development

Our Leadership Development

by Patrique Harris, Youth Ministry Director



Mission Adelante is beaming with young, talented leaders from all places using their gifts together to build our community. I am so blessed to be a part of the work God is doing in the leadership development programs at Mission Adelante, and you can also be a part of this movement through our Infinity 2024 campaign.

Check out this video to learn more about what we have been up to and how you can get involved! 

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!