Alumni
Did you know that over 600 pastors in Mennonite Mission Network-connected churches are alumni of our service programs? It’s true!
Those numbers are no accident.
As an alum of our service programs, you already know the impact that a service experience can have on the life of a participant. Putting your faith into action, experiencing life from a different perspective and forming community with others are not easy things to do. They are, however, experiences that help us grow. They allow us to experience God in formative ways. They strengthen our bonds to our communities of faith.
Alumni newsletter
In Alumni Connections, you’ll find uplifting stories from Mission Network’s service programs. As you read, think about how your service experience has affected your connection to your faith community.
- What was changed?
- What was strengthened?
If your service experience was formational for you, consider sharing your story with your congregation. Going by the numbers, your pastor may be able to relate!
Alumni Stories
Alumni Perspectives
We came face to face with some harsh realities in South Texas. Every day, we met people who are working hard to quench thirst, clothe, and provide shelter and dignity to people who desperately need it.
- Kris Shenk
- Belmont Mennonite Church, Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage
There’s always more to the story than you know, and we, as humans, long to care for each other and help where we can. Maria Skobtsova House is a wonderful opportunity for us to plug into that possibility.
- Kathy Howell
- Kathy served with SOOP at the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais, France
I really valued living with people my own age when I was in college. Doing MVS and living with peers who are doing the same kind of thing as me has been a really good experience. I think that doing MVS is good for your personal growth. I would highly recommend it. Just do it!
- Hannah Lehman
- Hannah serves with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Tucson, Arizona
For all the other things we learned and unlearned and remembered and re-membered, reading the Bible in another context just, had the biggest impact on our [Just Peace Pilgrimage] group.
- Arloa Bontrager
- Arloa is the Regional Director for North America (Short-term service) at Mennonite Mission Network
Tucson is technically a border town. Our unit went on a border delegation trip with a Presbyterian mission called Frontera de Cristo. We went to Douglas, Arizona’s sister city, Agua Prieta, Sonora. We learned the reasons why people choose, or have to immigrate. It really expanded my knowledge on a complicated issue and I have more empathy for people who, for some of them, immigration isn’t a choice.
- Patrick Webb
- Patrick Webb served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Tucson, Arizona
MVS gave me the opportunity to explore a vocation that I probably otherwise wouldn’t have encountered. I was able to really help people in very tangible ways.
- Lisa Koop
- After completing her term with MVS, Koop went on to graduate magna cum laude from Indiana University McKinney School of Law in 2004.
I applied to colleges and was accepted into several great opportunities that I don’t think I would have if it wasn’t for Service Adventure. I was able to get scholarships because it’s about offering something different. How do you make your college application stand out? You do a year of voluntary service!
- Austin Troyer
- Austin served with Service Adventure in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Something that I’ve learned a lot about is social justice and how to participate in that. Coming from a context of being a college student and hearing about all of these protests but not really being involved in any of them, it’s been really cool to learn more about that process and get involved and be able to make my voice heard in some of these actions.
- Conrad Liechty
- Conrad served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in San Francisco, California
I think MVS is a good transition place, if you’re not quite sure what you want to do. It’s a place where you can really reflect with a community who’s behind you and wants to support you. Just do it!
- Sav Roth Walter
- Sav served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in San Francisco, California
Service can be intimidating. It is a challenge because you are going, potentially, far from home and cultures that you’re familiar with. But I think the reason why people should do service is that it will push you out of those boundaries. I’m a more nuanced and rounded person for having pushed outside of those boundaries and finding that my normal is not “the normal” — which can refer to your faith and how you express it or even just worship styles. It’s a great time to learn more about the broader world, and also to learn about yourself.
- Patrick Webb
- Patrick served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Tucson, Arizona
