As some Service Adventure participants move into their new house in Albuquerque, N.M., they won’t be lonely. The house, located in the city’s international district, shares a backyard with neighbors who also value community.
After an electrical fire in 2011, and a sabbatical year in 2012, the local support committee started the search for more permanent housing. The criteria for a new house were to have extra space for the leader or leaders, enough space for the participants, proximity to public transit, and to be near a caring community. Initially, the local leaders had hoped to find a house near the Albuquerque Mennonite Church community, but are excited about the community that surrounds the new unit house.
Bethany Bauman Baker, from the local support committee, said that the Grove Street house—complete with four bedrooms and two baths—will be just enough space for the three of participants that will be serving in the Albuquerque unit, beginning in August.
Next year, Bauman Baker hopes that Albuquerque participants engage in open discussion among themselves, the congregation and with other faith groups they may come in contact with. She is excited to see participants “learn more about different ways to live out their faith, and what it means to follow Jesus with the choices they make.”
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.