Young Adults in Global Mission

In Hungary, Shannon will serve in a new ministry partnership between the Lutheran Church in Debrecen and the Real Pearl Foundation in the nearby village of Berettyóújfalu. Shannon will assist in the Foundation’s art school for the primarily Roma children of 12 villages. She will also serve the Roma communities by helping with the Foundation’s social services, which include job training, new-mother classes, cooking classes, and food growing/farming classes. On weekends, she will engage with the Lutheran Church of Debrecen and its new outreach/mission to nearby communities

“I love art, but I love people more, and I believe that one of my talents is helping people do the best that they can.”

Elizabeth will serve in a new ministry site in Piliscsaba with the Fébé, a social and rehabilitation ministry of the Lutheran Church in Hungary that provides people with disabilities a place to live and work. Elizabeth will live on site and work alongside community members in their wood-working, art, farming, and painting projects. She will also tutor in an afterschool program for Roma students.

As a YAGM, Rebekah will serve in Nyíregyháza with the Lutheran Church-run Roma College program, which supports 25 Roma university students each year socially, spiritually, educationally, and financially toward the pursuit of higher education. She will also use her skills, training, and musical and theatrical talents to serve at a home for women living with disabilities.

“I love to worship through art, especially music. After my YAGM year in Hungary, I plan to pursue a master’s of divinity at one of the ELCA seminaries.”

In Hungary, Miles will serve with the Lutheran congregation of Nyírtelek and their Roma mission ministries in the neighboring village of Görögszalas. He will serve primarily with two ministries of the congregation: a farm cooperative and a day center that provides care and activities for the local Roma community.

“I have developed a passion for traveling and experiencing new cultures, but I also highly value service work. I am looking forward to this awesome opportunity that YAGM has presented me with, and I am very appreciative of your support.”

Dennis will serve in Budapest with Phiren Amenca, an organization that brings together Roma and non-Roma young people in dialogue and service in order to challenge stereotypes and racism. He will assist in classrooms of English language teachers at Deák Tér Lutheran High School and he will also facilitate a weekly English conversation class at the Integration Services Center, a new ministry of the Lutheran Church in Hungary’s Diaconal Office for refugees and other people in transition.

“I love to do community service, and have worked on numerous week-long projects across the United States. Throughout my time at Arcadia University I had the opportunity to travel the globe and become educated through my experiences in other cultures.”

In Hungary, Miriam will serve in Nyíregyháza with a network of diaconal ministries for Roma and non-Roma Hungarians. These ministries provide multiple services for the homeless, including a day and night shelter, a soup kitchen, and a day center for people living with drug/alcohol addictions. Miriam will also serve at a women/family shelter where she will lead after-school activities and tutor the children.

“I am very much looking forward to my year in mission, and I am excited to share in it with all the churches of the Northeastern Iowa Synod.”

In Hungary, Elaina will serve with the Lutheran Parish and the Lutheran diaconal ministries in Békéscsaba. She will serve with the Lutheran residential care facility for seniors and with youth ministries of the Lutheran congregations. In addition, she will be active in the ministry of a Roma and non-Roma independent youth mission in nearby Békés.

“A fun fact about me is that my brother is a participant in the Young Adults in Global Mission program this upcoming year, as well.”

Ellen will serve in the area of Vohipeno in southeast Madagascar, working with students at a farm school and teaching English at a Lutheran school. She will also help with events for international visitors.

“I am excited to be a participant in the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program and appreciate your support. I am thrilled to be going to Madagascar!”

“I will look to form relationships with the Malagasy people. God’s family is global, and I am excited to share in stories, joys and challenges.”

Erik serves in northern England in a city called Bradford. His service there includes working with a local church to reach out to the youth in the community and to build relationships and bridges among the youth. His parents are John and Renee Bay. 

Annie serves as a high school English teacher in Aszód, Hungary at the Evangélikus Petőfi Gimnázium where she teaches students between ninth and twelfth grades. She started an extracurricular English Club for middle school students and holds weekly tutoring sessions for those who are preparing for the International English Exam. Annie enjoys connecting with others in the community by tutoring eight-year-old twins and young professionals looking to improve their English skills.

“My fellow teachers and Hungarian friends have been so kind, patient and helpful. They have included me in family activities and various outings. I feel so blessed to have this experience.  Hungary is such a beautiful country with beautiful people.”