imagine yourself in the world…

Young Adults in Global Mission

Program Overview YAGM One year service-learning experience Young adults between years of age Opportunity to serve in ten countries around the world Variety of placements and assignments such as: community development teaching working with the homeless advocacy youth ministry social justice working with the elderly campus ministry health awareness/education music ministries human rights

Country Programs YAGM Argentina & Uruguay Central Europe (Hungary & Slovakia) Jerusalem/West Bank Madagascar Malaysia Mexico Southern Africa United Kingdom

Program Concept YAGM Accompaniment: walking together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality GOD´S STORY Your Story My Story Meet people where they are, overlapping your story and my story within God’s story

Program Requirements YAGM Age: between 19 – 29 years of age ELCA Connection: Congregational membership Attendance at an ELCA affiliated college or university Participation in Lutheran Campus Ministry Service at a Lutheran summer camp or outdoor ministry Language: mandatory for some programs; helpful but not necessary for most

Program Cost YAGM ELCA contributes 70% of the cost of service per volunteer Fundraising expectation of $4,000 per volunteer Friends, family, co-workers, congregations, synods Scholarship support available More than just money… fundraising is the foundation for a strong network of support throughout the year of service

Program Purpose YAGM Develop servant-leaders for the church Utilize relationship building and service to enhance cross- cultural skills Provide challenging & engaging opportunities that result in globally formed and globally informed young adults Allow young adults to grow in faith and better understand their place in God’s world Share the stories of the global church and community

My Journey with YAGM

Give God a Chance YAGM University “It was not until I traveled to Lesotho during a service learning trip through Wittenberg University that I learned the wonderful ways in which God is working across the world.” ……….Then what?

Dumela! (Hello!) YAGM Placement Site: Bloemfontein, South Africa Lebone Village Orphanage Tshepo Daycare Center The Monama Family Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana Orphanage, agriculture, daycare center, Sunday school

Learning to ‘Be’ YAGM Encountered: racism, HIV and AIDS, poverty, social injustice and inequality cultural and traditional practices different from my own personal challenges: what was I supposed to be ‘doing’? Informal ministry Part of a global family and church community Authentic experience

Part of the Family YAGM Move in with the Monama family New placement, new housing… same family, same faith Becoming a big brother and son Fellow YAGM volunteers, in-country support system Ubuntu is an African concept that roughly translated, means “I am because we are”

Motlalepula YAGM ‘One who brings the rain’ Excited and hopeful for the future, grateful for the past Open to God’s call in my life, and feel liberated that I am able to trust in His plan, even if I don’t know what it is More aware of the global community, and looking forward to encouraging others to get involved, in any way, in the world in which we live

go ahead… stop imagining