Connecting People from Diverse Cultures
to Create a Global Family

Are you seeking to deepen your faith, looking for a unique way to express your discipleship, or just wanting to explore another culture? Volunteering with WorldService Corps offers a variety of opportunities for people ages 18 and over to serve in cultures unlike their own in time frames ranging from two months to two years. WorldService Corps associate coordinator Angie Elliott-Koéné said, “It changes who you are…sometimes changing the direction of your life.”

Volunteers experience profound personal growth as they engage in ministry that crosses boundaries and unites diverse communities. Eleven volunteers engaged in this program from June through August, serving in six locations. The volunteers were immersed in the life of the community where they stayed, assisted with indigenous programs, and provided ministry in congregations.

Andi (left) and Callie (right) learn to transport things via baskets on their heads.

Callie Phillips and Andrea (Andi) Smith were faced with many new experiences as they spent much of their time volunteering at a health clinic in Mansa, Zambia. They felt everything from sensory overload, as they were bombarded with new information and plans that often changed, to the great joy of helping deliver a baby into the world.

The exposure to situations in another culture allowed Callie a new framework within which to examine her beliefs and faith. She said, “As I met people who were recently baptized, I wondered, ‘What do they see compared to what I grew up with?’”

Midway through Callie and Andi’s service, Apostle Bunda Chibwe and Ron Smith, stewardship commissioner for the Africa Mission Field, accompanied them on a visit to a Congolese refugee camp in Northern Zambia. Displaced church members were among the refugees. Andi said, “In all their suffering and sadness our church members have been sharing Community of Christ with other refugees…. Somehow in this place, those people have found God.”

Erica Field and Jon Schieszer worked with congregations in Rumphi, Malawi. The team adapted quickly to their remote setting with no electricity or running water. They spent much of their time with local youth; in Rumphi, youth includes young people around age 14 and lasts until one is married. Erica said, “I really enjoyed the friendship I developed with the youth-we truly enjoyed hanging out together.”

Erica and Jon conducted intergenerational programs to help strengthen congregations and develop local leadership skills. The team realized that despite obvious differences in culture, their congregations at home and in Malawi had many similar goals as well as areas that needed to be strengthened. “As we worked with them to develop stronger congregations” said Jon, “it helped us at the same time because these were the same skills we need to use in our home congregations.”

Appointee Steve Shields and Katie (back row right) enjoy the World Cup with other young adults

Katie Schiefelbein focused on working with young adults in Seoul, Korea, who are active in church and English language programs. She said, “I got to hang out and do what young people do in the big city of Seoul. I got to live like a Korean.”

Attending the World Cup was a highlight of her time there. “It brought a great sense of community as this soccer game brought the whole country together,” said Katie. She also developed a deep appreciation for the culture and its strong traditions. “I met so many amazing people,” said Katie, “I may never see them again, but they really touched my heart.”

Terri Dixon and Troy Farrar were based in Binalonan, Philippines. Terri, who is a wife, mother, and elementary teacher at her home, taught English to fourth through sixth graders at the church’s Santa Fe Center. Troy set a record, making nearly 30 home visits in a single afternoon. Just being involved in the communities they visited was a major part of their ministry-the ministry of presence.

Terri recalled an evening singing on the porch while people continually came over to join them. “I truly experienced community there,” she said. Troy said, “I began to understand that it is the little things in life that make the world go around.” He realized that even when he spent time talking to only one person, just being there was a blessing to the individual and himself.

Jason and Stephanie Nickelson focused on family relationships in Njukini, Kenya. Jason is a speech pathologist and Stephanie is a psychologist, so it was natural for them to work with parents of children with disabilities. Stephanie said, “This was the highlight for me.”

They also experienced the church in a culture where women have very little power over their lives. In this setting, the church’s value for each member’s gifts was illuminated for Jason and Stephanie. “This was very empowering for men and women in their system,” said Stephanie. The team discussed the impact of traditional gender roles-Stephanie with young women’s groups and Jason in conversations with the men of the village. “I made an effort to lead by example,” said Jason, “doing things like holding hands with Stephanie in public.”

Stephanie explained that she started this process with a strong desire to experience some part of the world’s suffering. She said, “This was a great way to experience what compassion really is.” Jason said, “If you’re adventurous at all, you owe it to yourself to consider volunteering with WorldService Corps.”

John Chatburn and Amy Nichol made presentations at schools and visited several congregations in Ugunja, Kenya. At their first school visit, the team planned to speak to about 30 children. However, when the doors opened, hundreds of smiling faces came running at them. John said, “It’s cool to think back: I visited more than 20 schools and talked to more than 10,000 kids about peace and the love of Jesus.”

Amy explained that she knew the WorldService Corps program would put her in situations where she would not know what to expect, but she developed a new support system and family there. “It strengthens you so much, whether you realize it right away or not,” she said.

Angie Elliott-Koéné said, “The WorldService Corps is about connecting people from diverse cultures to create a global family.” It is a way for people to respond as international leaders to “…create diverse communities of disciples and seekers” (Doctrine and Covenants 161:6a) and “heed the urgent call to become a global family united in the name of the Christ…” (Doctrine and Covenants 161:6b).

“WorldService Corps is one of the most effective ways of coming face to face with your family members in other places of the world-making it real,” said Angie. The program connects the home communities that send forth volunteers and host communities through the volunteers. It’s an initial step in building the bridges that will help us realize the church’s discipleship goal to create diverse communities.

To learn more about these WorldService Corps volunteers and their assignments, see the August Herald, pages 31-32. To find out about the variety of opportunities available through WorldService Corps, call Angie Elliott-Koéné at (816) 833-1000, ext. 2241, or 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2241.

-Kendra Friend reporting