Christian
service participants from IN-MI Conference congregations
ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) – Seventeen members of
Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference congregations are
serving this year through Mennonite Mission Network programs.
Mennonite Voluntary Service
Rooted
in the spirit of Jesus, MVS invites adults, age 20 and older, to join together
in Christian ministry for one- or two-year terms in more than 20 locations in
the United States and one international site. Since the program began more than
60 years ago, thousands of volunteers have had the opportunity to live out
their faith through this program of Mennonite Mission Network.
Julia and Jonathan Gingrich, of Goshen,
Ind., began one-year terms of
Mennonite Voluntary Service in September 2008. Julia is serving in Elkhart, Ind., with Church Community Services, while Jonathan is working as a youth
worker with Valley Teen Ranch in Fresno, Calif. Julia is a 2007 graduate of
Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., and Jonathan is a 2007
graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College. They are the children of Elizabeth Gingrich
and are members of Waterford Mennonite in Goshen, Ind.
Megan Gongwer, of Goshen, Ind., began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2008 in La Jara, Colo., as a program assistant with the Boys
and Girls Clubs Of San Luis Valley. A 2008
graduate of Hesston (Kan.) College, Gongwer
is the daughter of Brenda and Steve Gongwer and is a member of Yellow Creek Mennonite in Goshen, Ind.
Erica and Kelsey Hartman of Carmel,
Ind., began one-year terms of
Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2008. Erica is serving in Tucson, Ariz., as an assistant teacher with Pio Decimo
Center, while Kelsey is an administrative assistant for Central
California Mennonite Residential Services in Fresno, Calif. 2008 graduates of Goshen (Ind.) College, the Hartmans are the daughters of Ethel and Paul Hartman and
are members of First Mennonite of Indianapolis.
Anna Ruth Hershberger, of Goshen, Ind., began a one-year
term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in September 2008 in Elkhart, Ind. A 2005
graduate of Canadian Mennonite University in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Hershberger is
a member of East Goshen (Ind.) Mennonite.
Mary Jo Martin, of Wakarusa,
Ind., began a one-year term of
Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2008 in La
Jara, Colo., as a community organizer with
Adams State College Community Partnerships.
A 2007 graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College, Martin is the daughter of Susan
and Michael Martin and is a member of Olive
Mennonite in Elkhart, Ind.
Katherine Ollenburger, of Elkhart, Ind., began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2008 in Baltimore, Md., as a special policy development assistant with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. A 2008 graduate of MacAlester College in St Paul, Minn., Ollenburger is the daughter of Janice
and Ben Ollenburger and is a member of Prairie
Street Mennonite in Elkhart, Ind.
Kelly Shenk, of Goshen, Ind.,
began a one-year term of Mennonite
Voluntary Service in August 2008 in New York,
N.Y., as an intern with World Vision International. A 2008 graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College, Shenk is the daughter
of Trish and Dale Shenk and is a member
of Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen,
Ind.
Service Adventure
With
Service Adventure, young adults, age 17–20, live in a household community with
a leader for 10 months. Since 1989 Service Adventure participants have served
in medical clinics, tutored children, worked with senior citizens, repaired old
housing and helped meet needs across North America. They’ve visited new cities;
experienced different people, foods and cultures; climbed mountains and camped
in deserts; attended concerts, lectures and college events.
Stephen Luke Peters, of Goshen,
Ind., began a one-year service term
with the Service Adventure program in August 2008. Peters is living in community with other young adults in a unit house in
Johnstown, Pa. A 2008 graduate of Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, Ind., Peters
is the son of Katrina and Randall Peters and is a member of Pleasant View Mennonite in Goshen, Ind.
Marshal Watson, of Goshen,
Ind., began a one-year service term
with the Service Adventure program in August 2008. Watson is living in community with other young adults in a unit house in
Johnstown, Pa. A 2008 graduate of Goshen (Ind.) High School, Watson is the son of Marilyn
and Mark Watson and is a member of Sunnyside
Mennonite in Elkhart, Ind.
Darrin and Paula Snyder Belousek, of Elkhart, Ind., began a two-year term as leaders
for the Service Adventure program in August 2008. The couple is leading the unit house in Raleigh, N.C. Darrin
is a 1998 graduate of University of Notre Dame (Ind.), while Paula
most recently graduated from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart,
Ind. The Snyder Belouseks are members of Prairie Street Mennonite in Elkhart, Ind.
Radical Journey
The
Radical Journey experience is designed to create a space for adults ages 18
through 30 to enter into an intentional process of faith formation within an
Anabaptist perspective. This program will also help young adults to develop
their leadership abilities. The program begins with a month-long orientation in
an urban setting and is followed by 10 months of service in a ministry location
around the world. The year ends with a one-month internship at the participant’s
home congregation.
David Graber, of Goshen, Ind.,
began a one-year service term with the
Radical Journey program in August 2008. A 2008
graduate of Goshen (Ind.) High School, Graber
is the son of Sheila and Millard Graber and is a member of East Goshen (Ind.) Mennonite.
Danielle Klotz, of Wakarusa,
Ind., began a one-year service term
with the Radical Journey program in August 2008. A 2008 graduate of Northwood High
School (Wakarusa, Ind.), Klotz is the daughter
of Cherri and Steven Klotz and is a
member of Olive Mennonite in Elkhart, Ind.
Both Graber and Klotz are
serving with a Radical Journey team in Brazil.
Craig and Krista Mast, of Goshen,
Ind., began one-year service terms
with the Radical Journey program. The Masts are
serving with a team in Paraguay. They are both 2006 graduates of Goshen (Ind.) College. Craig is the son of Cheryl and
Don Mast and is a member of Smithville
Mennonite Church in Smithville, Ohio. Krista is the daughter of Kay and Terry
Shue and is a member of Kidron (Ohio) Mennonite Church. Craig and Krista also
attend East Goshen (Ind.) Mennonite.
***
Mennonite Mission Network is the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA
and exists to lead, mobilize and equip the church to participate in holistic
witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Mission Network envisions every
congregation and all parts of the world being fully engaged in mission.
More information about these programs is available online: Service.MennoniteMission.net.