12 June 2003

WorldService Corps Volunteers Reach Out
in a Variety of Settings

Serving in a society unlike one’s own. . . Experiencing God’s presence in places one has never been. . . Engaging in ministry that crosses geographic, language, and cultural boundaries. . . This is all part of the WorldService Corps adventure. Eight young adults recently were selected to be part of the WorldService Corps short-term program that unites diverse communities, encourages personal growth, and enhances leadership qualities.

In four teams, these WorldService Corps volunteers worked, played, and worshiped with indigenous leaders, members, and friends at sites in Germany, Korea, Malawi, and Mexico. After a week of training and education in Independence, Missouri, and a commissioning service at the Temple, the volunteers headed for lands not yet known to them on June 4. They return from their assignments in August to debrief the headquarters WorldService Corps team, coordinated by Apostle Jac Kirkpatrick; begin processing their experiences; and consider how to share new insights with their home congregations and others.

Holly Chow, Beccie Morris, and Matthew Swain are based on the shores of Lake Malawi in Nkhata Bay, Malawi, Africa, in the home of Patrick and Linley Gausi. Patrick is a missionary elder and pastor of the Matete congregation. Linley is a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and women’s group leader. The volunteers will participate in activities such as youth fellowship, home visiting, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and congregational worship services.

From Independence, Missouri, United States, Holly is a student at Graceland University, majoring in elementary education with a minor in religion and church leadership. She enjoys learning about different cultures and has participated in a student exchange program that took her to Japan. Beccie is from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. She is a high school graduate who wants to continue her education after broadening her life experiences through volunteering. Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and English and works at his family’s business in his hometown of Newbury, Ontario, Canada. He has volunteered with a variety of organizations in Ontario and taught English as a second language in Seoul, Korea.

Erin Clark is serving in Augsburg, Germany, working closely with Michael Menzel, national church president, and Daniela Kutsche, regional staff assistant. Erin’s focal points include music transcription, writing harmonies, and getting copyright permissions for a new German hymnal, as well as participating in a youth camp and the Germany reunion. She is staying at a hostel for young women administered by the Catholic Church.

From Roeland Park, Kansas, United States, Erin is working toward a degree in religion, German, and music at Graceland. She is fluent in German and describes music as one of her passions. Erin has traveled to Germany, Mexico, and Canada and has a brother who lives in Germany.

Lori Martens and Karli Smith are staying in South Korea’s capital city of Seoul. They reside at the church’s compound with World Church minister Steve Shields and long-term WorldService Corps volunteers Rob and Barb Mills. Lori and Karli’s main role is to develop relationships with participants in a variety of church programs and help broaden the worldwide fellowship of the local church by contributing regularly to the ministry and programs of the congregation.

From Oak Grove, Missouri, United States, Lori is majoring in religion and studio art and minoring in peace studies and church leadership at Graceland. Her studies in peace and conflict resolution enhance her abilities to deal with interpersonal relationships and diversity. From Dandenong, Victoria, Australia, Karli is a Graceland student working on a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a minor in political science, church leadership, and peace studies. She has a desire to experience the world and see how others live and communicate with one other and God.

Kristen Caler and Holly Gernaat are based in Ensenada, Mexico, with assignments in El Sauzal and Ensenada as well as Baja, California. The team works with Richard Foster, Southwest International Mission Center president; Gina Norton, Southwest International Mission Center missionary co-coordinator; Linda Espiritu-Santo, Hispanic Ministries; and Genoveva Kean, El Sauzal pastor. Kristen and Holly will start a Young Peacemakers Club that can be continued after they return to the states, as well as other projects that focus on children, music, and bringing new life to the church.

From Portland, Maine, United States, Kristen is a biology student at Bowdoin College. With experience working as a church camp counselor and assistant director, she has a strong desire to help people and loves to work with children. Holly is from McBain, Michigan, United States. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish and church leadership at Graceland. Holly has participated in service projects working with developmentally challenged people, repairing houses with Habitat for Humanity, and teaching Bible school to children in the Dominican Republic.

For more information about WorldService Corps, visit the Web site at www.CofChrist.org/WorldService; e-mail WorldService@CofChrist.org; or call 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2241.

—Kendra Friend reporting