Young Adult Ministries
Young Adults Do Mission Through Justice
What do you want to do with your life? People never tire of asking young people this question. Everyone has their own answer. Here is one more: become a US-2 or Mission Intern.
Who is eligible?
If you are between the ages of 20 to 30 and are committed to addressing the root causes of injustice so that the gospel is lived out alongside communities and organizations seeking peace and systemic transformation, consider applying to become a United Methodist US-2 or Mission Intern. US-2s serve in the United States for two years. Mission Interns serve for 16 months in an international setting, then16 months in the US. Both US-2s and Mission Interns commit to linking their faith to justice.
Where do missionaries serve?
The settings may vary from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to Detroit, Michigan, but they are always in connection with a United Methodist partnered organization, faith community, or institution. Some may be called to work in an urban setting with labor organizers; others may work with children in a daycare center; some may help advocate for families in transitional housing. All settings are places of hope, requiring solidarity, openness, and Christian love. The overarching Global Ministries philosophy of mission stems from the reality that missionaries serve with, not to or for others. The work of a missionary is one of solidarity and accompaniment.
Are missionaries paid?
Both types of young adult missionaries, US-2s and Mission Interns, receive a small monthly stipend. They live and work in solidarity with communities that face systemic issues of injustice. Missionaries commit to linking faith and justice. Young adults have the opportunity to live out their faith through justice ministries, connect to networks, raise awareness, transform communities, and become a part of a community through presence and solidarity.
How do young adults apply?
Applications are due February 15, 2011. To download more information and application to become a Mission Intern or US-2, visit the website at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/about/us/mp/documents/.
In recent years there have been about two dozen young adults serving as US-2s and Mission Interns at any given time. The General Board of Global Ministries is committed to increasing this number of young adult missionaries.
How can my organization host a US-2 or Mission Intern?
Your organization can be one of many United Methodist-partnered organizations hosting a US-2 or Mission Intern. Contact youngadults@gbgm-umc.org for more information. Placement site applications are due March 1, 2011, to host US-2s in the fall.
To learn about the broad spectrum of programs available for young adults to serve through Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, including through the Mission Intern and US-2 programs, visit the website at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/connections/youth/serve/.
To support the United Methodist Young Adult missionary programs, give through the US-2 Program, Advance #982874 or the Mission Intern Program, Advance #13105Z.
OIMC has produced two US-2's, Jennifer Battiest and Fawn White. Jennifer served in Lumberton, North Carolina at Robeson County Church & Community Center. She worked in the Literacy Department,working with 2nd graders in an afterschool/summer tutoring program in Lumberton and Red Springs as well as serving as Part time manager for the smaller satellite community center in Red Springs.
Fawn's appointment was with the Nome Community Center, Inc. in Nome, Alaska. Fawn served as the Youth Leadership Development Coordinator and Munaqsri (Muh-knocks-ree) Senior Services Assistant. She implemented afterschool leadership development activities for children and youth such as: mentoring, kayaking, backpacking, and academic support. Fawn also provided assistance to Senor adults and facilitated an Elder/Youth Mentoring program to establish generational interaction and cultural preservation.
By Wayne Rhodes, Editor, Faith in Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Deadline to apply for a 2011 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in Washington, D.C., is Jan. 10. The EYA program is for persons, ages 18-22, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change.
Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), the nine-week summer internship program is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans. Interns will work in social justice placements in the U.S. capital from May 28 to July 31. Interns will live in Christian community. Work placements will be supplemented by evening intern-led devotions, Friday seminars on topics of social justice concern, area field trips, and Sunday worship in area United Methodist churches. Participants must commit to being present at these activities. The intern group will experience the rich, diversity of The United Methodist Church by visiting a different congregation each Sunday. Congregations will reflect diversity in ethnic makeup as well as worship style.
Applicants must be in good academic standing at their college or university, demonstrate evidence of their concern for social justice through extracurricular activity, academic study and have some history of involvement in their church and/or community. If employed full-time, applicants must show active leadership and participation in their local church and community, including involvement in social justice activities. GBCS will provide round-trip transportation to and from Washington, D.C.; housing for the eight-week EYA Internship; commuter stipend for travel to intern work sites; and $1,500 for each intern for the eight-week period.
EYA is funded through GBCS's Ethnic Local Church Grant program. Participants are expected to return to their schools, churches and communities with an increased commitment to working with and on behalf of marginalized groups in society. Participants are also expected to share their experience with other persons from their community, school and church. Application and recommendation forms may be obtained from the GBCS Web site.
For more information, contact the Rev. Neal Christie, assistant general secretary, Education & Leadership Formation, General Board of Church & Society, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, (202) 488-5611.
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