Mennonite Church USA's (MC USA) "Lead/Follow" podcast, hosted by MC USA Executive Director Glen Guyton, aims to equip and inspire today's pastors and congregational leaders. In its relaxed, half-hour conversation format, Guyton engages with various individuals across the denomination to explore and uncover insights, inspiration and strategies.

In the fifth episode, Mennonite Mission Network Executive Director Marisa Smucker discusses ways to connect with youth and young adults through Mission Network’s domestic and international service programs:

Just Peace Pilgrimage – for groups of all ages

Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) – for ages 20+

Service Adventure – for ages 17-20

Youth Venture – for ages 15-22

MVS was originally created as a response to the military draft, offering an alternative for conscientious objectors. Even though the draft is not currently in effect, the concept of alternative service remains active and has evolved.

Smucker states that alternative service today is about offering oneself to the community and responding to God's call, emphasizing a lifestyle focused on communal and global well-being rather than personal gain.

Service volunteers can positively affect the quality of life for others by working in areas of health, education, immigration, housing, and more.

In a post-COVID-19 world, the emphasis on community within programs like MVS and Service Adventure has become crucial. Participants are placed in a supportive community that is connected to churches and organizations. This helps alleviate the loneliness that many people have experienced as a result of isolation. Established service units in places like Alamosa, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and Tucson, Arizona help participants become integrated into their communities by providing mentorship and lasting connections.

Other global factors have caused changes in voluntary service. Smucker said the COVID-19 pandemic and increased travel costs have caused some people to be hesitant to travel internationally. While Mission Network maintains its international ministries, additional partnerships have been developed within the United States for those who want to get involved but prefer not to travel overseas.

For generations, service programs have empowered young adults to actively live out their faith, experience community and connect with people beyond their usual circles. These experiences inspired many to pursue lifelong service and become leaders in Mennonite congregations.

Smucker emphasizes the importance of exploration for young people, advising them to, "explore and be willing to go on the adventure."

She underscores the transformative power of service and the importance of supporting young people in their journey of discovery and faith. She also notes the shift toward a partnership model in mission work saying:

"We are not about going in one direction and saying, ‘We've got it all figured out and now we're doing mission there.’ It's about paying attention to what God is doing in the world and participating in that work."

The “Lead/Follow” podcast is best viewed on MC USA’s YouTube channel. Watch the first episode here. The audio portion is available on Apple and Spotify.

The first two seasons of “Lead/Follow” are sponsored by The Schowalter Foundation.

Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination, founded in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. Members of this historic peace church seek to follow Jesus by rejecting violence and resisting injustice.