VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS – 7/28/09)—American Baptist International Ministries announced the Xtreme Team Mission Adventure Program is preparing to send a group of 9 young adults and leaders to do mission outreach in Russia this summer.
The training, trip and debriefing of the Xtraordinary Xperience will last from July 23 through August 16. Upon completion, the team will share their stories at Camp Global, August 14 - 15, at Camp Cowan, WV.
The Xtreme Team enables young adults to Xperience the adventure of cross-cultural mission service while pushing them out of their comfort zones into an Xtraordinary faith walk with God.
"The great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy once wrote, ‘True life is lived when tiny changes occur.’ The Xtreme Team will Xperience many such changes as they meet wonderful Russian people and encounter a wide spectrum of Russian life." said International Ministries Executive Director Reid Trulson. "In turn, the personalities, words and actions of the team will also affect tiny changes in the lives of their Russian hosts. We believe that those changes will be used by the Holy Spirit in life transforming ways."
Members of the 2009 Russia team are:
Neil Basta, Fairmont, WV
Karen Bowen, Indianapolis, IN
Joel Clemmer, Orono, ME
Fred Dean, Spencerport, NY
Sabrina Diehl, Plymouth, NY
Lisa Johanningsmeier, Floyds Knob, IN
Leaders are:
Holley Faulkner, Jr., Fairmont, WV
Steven Fridenmaker, Ansted, WV
Paulo Monroy, Elizabeth, NJ
“The Xtreme Team Mission Adventure is a unique opportunity for young adults to Xercise their faith as they live one day from the next like Jesus’ disciples - not knowing what they would be doing, where their next meal will come from, or who they might encounter. While Xperiencing mission in Russia, they will be Xtending their hands in friendship and service, Xpanding their world view, Xamining their values and Xploring God’s Word and world,” said Angela Sudermann, coordinator of Volunteers in Global Mission for International Ministries.
During their travels, team members deepen their relationship with God while seeking deeper understanding of God’s will for their lives. Team members are “Xpected to Xpress” what they have seen and heard when they return to their home churches and regions.
Natasha Bradley, a participant in two Xtreme Teams noted, “Being a part of the Xtreme Team has impacted my life in ways that I would have never imagined. It ignited a flame inside of me to do mission. I now have a great passion for life and for the people of God. Being a part of the Xtreme Team has unlocked a world of possibilities".
Team members regularly post journals, photos and even video footage to highlight their Xperiences throughout the trip. Visit www.xtremeteamonline.org to follow the adventures of this year’s team.
The Xtreme Team is open to young adults ages 19 - 29. More information is available on the Xtreme Team website. The 2010 Xtreme Team will be in Egypt from June 18 - July 18, 2010. To download an application, go to www.xtremeteamonline.org and click on APPLY.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.