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 had time for learning and reflecting on important issues. Just as important, we got to know each other better, to form bonds and to make meaningful connections.
- Wendel Landis
- Assembly Mennonite Church, Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage
We went to La Posada, which is the only long-term shelter for migrants to safely live in the area. Coming together as a group to work hard and meet new people was definitely an encounter with God and a positive experience.
- Lawson Kauffmann
- Belmont Mennonite Church, Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage
We learn as we relate with churches that are diverse. It helps to bring us into a deeper understanding of God and what God calls us to do.
- Linda Shelly
- Linda served as Regional Director for Latin America at Mennonite Mission Network
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
We’re here to experience the community and be part of it. I’ve learned a lot about how I experience Mennonite religion and culture through that, and learned a lot better about how to talk about it. That’s not something I was expecting.
- Conrad Liechty
- Conrad served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in San Francisco, California
Because of my time in L.A., I know that I want to work with issues concerning race in the future. I was able to make friends, experience a different place, learn, and just have fun. I would recommend Youth Venture to anyone and everyone.
- Elizabeth Eby
- Elizabeth served in Youth Venture in Los Angeles.
Tucson, is an intergenerational community. The Shalom Fellowship, especially, is intergenerational. It’s something that I want to continue being a part of. I think it’s important to have community with people who are the same age as me and doing similar things, but also to be in community with people who are younger than me and people who are older than me. Both sides have a lot of wisdom to share and I have things to share with everyone else as well.
- Cade Fisher
- Cade served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Tucson, Arizona
After college, some of my friends moved to a new city and had trouble meeting people and building up a sense of community. MVS is really good at creating community, both within your unit, within your house, as well as your place of work, and within the broader community. I would say that I have really found that community in Alamosa.
- Josh Kennell
- Josh Kennell served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Alamosa, Colorado
My year of serving with RAICES through the MVS program strengthened the idea of the importance of helping populations that need assistance as well as my desire to go into law. I became more aware of both the rewarding aspects of the work and the arduous, difficult parts in a legal position.
- Neal Brubaker
- Neal served with Mennonite Voluntary Service at RAICES in San Antonio, Texas.
Doing MVS, specifically in Alamosa, exposed me to a new set of issues that I really hadn’t thought about before. From water use and agriculture, to rural homelessness. Each geographical area has their own issues. In order to truly be a part of a community, you need to learn about that community. And, in that learning, you’ll learn both the beautiful things and the areas where there’s work being done. That’s one thing I will take away.
- Jake Myers
- Jake served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Alamosa, Colorado
Placements
North America, United States
