ELCA NEWS SERVICE April 28, 2004 Lutheran Young Adults Set to Serve Around the World 04-082-MR CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 40 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), ages 19-30, will offer their time and talents in congregations, church schools and social ministry settings around the world this summer as part of "Young Adults in Global Mission." Established in 1999 with 10 participants, Young Adults in Global Mission is a one-year international service opportunity organized by the ELCA. This year young adults will volunteer in Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Kenya, Thailand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Service in each area is designed to build leadership skills, spiritual growth, global awareness and understanding. "Especially at this time in the life of our church and in the world, we need these kinds of leaders," said the Rev. Stephen J. Nelson, director for international personnel, ELCA Division for Global Mission. "It's about relationships. It's about giving and receiving. Through the giving of our gifts and the receiving of the gifts of those among whom we serve, our church is strengthened," he said. At a "discernment event" here April 16-18, about 50 prospective young adults from across the country were interviewed. Forty-two are set for service and will receive orientation in August. Service will begin immediately thereafter. At the event Julie Quello, an alumna of the program, shared her experience of working at a nursing home and a homeless shelter in Argentina. "My faith changed because I saw God everywhere," she said. "I've been waiting to do this for a long time," said Alexis Twito, who will begin service this summer. "It was only in college that I learned about the work of global mission in the ELCA. When I heard about this program, I felt it was right. This is a time to see the world while working in areas such as AIDS ministry, women's concerns and education." "Nurturing leaders in the church is an important part" of the Young Adults in Global Mission program, said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for leadership development, ELCA Division for Global Mission. "Serving God around the world is a gospel mandate, and working with our companion churches in their needs is always important. What we are also accomplishing here is lifting up leaders who will have a global view of life and thus will be a resource for the ongoing ministry of our church," Ishida said. The ELCA Division for Global Mission employs an "accompaniment" model for ministry overseas. In accompaniment, churches in the United States and around the world "walk together in service in God's mission." Young people in the program serve as volunteers and work in a supervised setting. Travel, housing, medical insurance and allowance are provided, and volunteers are required to raise $3,000 for program support. When it met here April 17-18, the ELCA Church Council expressed gratitude for the commitment of young people in global mission. The council directed the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop to consider expanding the program's budget for 2005-2006. The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. _ _ _ Information about the Young Adults in Global Mission program is available at http://www.elca.org/globalserve/youngadults/ on the Internet. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news