VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/25/14)—Bolivia. Just the name invokes visions of wild beauty in the Andes, ancient civilization and rich culture. The Bolivian Baptist Convention, through House of Hope ministries, has invited this group of four young adults and two team leaders to serve, learn, and live mission and outreach in Cochabamba, Bolivia, this summer. The orientation training, trip and debriefing of this third IGNITE experience will run from June 20 through July 26. Upon completion, the team members will return to Green Lake, Wisconsin, for debriefing and to share their stories at the World Mission Conference from July 21–26.
IGNITE enables young adults to spark a connection, kindle spiritual and personal growth and blaze with passion for Jesus Christ. The month-long adventure of cross-cultural mission service will push them out of their comfort zones into an extraordinary faith walk with God. During their travels, team members deepen their relationships with God while seeking a deeper understanding of how people of other faiths view God, Jesus and followers of Jesus.
“The members of the IGNITE Team will certainly encounter surprises from God during their time in Bolivia. They have chosen to step out of their familiar surroundings to be available to others as Jesus’ hands and feet. They will have some experiences that trouble the soul and others that fill the heart with incredible joy,” says Reid Trulson, executive director of International Ministries. “Through the working of the Holy Spirit they will be agents of change even as they discover that they themselves are being changed. And remarkably, we too can share in this encounter. Our prayerful partnering with the IGNITE Team can be part of God’s work in and through them as they are on this life-changing journey.”
Members of the 2014 Bolivia team:
Lily Corathers Sandyville, WV
John Hite Royersford, PA
Sarah Nash Olympia, WA
Justin Scott Overland Park, KS
Leaders:
Mario Morales, Bolivia
Dan Buttry Hamtramack, MI
Matt Toupin Omaha, NE
Team members regularly post journals and photos to highlight their Xperiences throughout the trip. Visit the IGNITE page on IM’s website or their Facebook page to follow the adventures of this year’s team. Join the network to get regular updates by email. We encourage you to be a part of their support team, spread the news of the IGNITE experience and post their journals to your own social media page.
Please keep these young adults and their mentors and leaders in your prayers.
American Baptist International Ministries is celebrating 200 years of ministry in 2014. Organized in 1814 as the first Baptist international mission agency in America, it began its pioneer mission work in Burma and today works in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas serving more than 1,800 long-term and short-term missionaries. Its central mission is to help people come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. It works with respected partners in over 70 countries in ministries that meet human need.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.