NEWTON, Kansas (Mennonite Mission Network) — When the Kansas prairies endured a 100-degree heat wave in late July, at least one person was happy to soak up the heat.
Michael Oyer, who is beginning his third-year term as the leader of the Anchorage, Alaska, Service Adventure unit, made the trek down to the Midwest to participate in this year’s Service Adventure leader orientation. The orientation, which took place from July 27-30, gave Oyer the resourcing and fellowship needed to fuel his soul for the upcoming 10-month program term, he said.
In a few short weeks, Oyer will welcome participants, ages 17 through 20, into the Anchorage unit home. As they form a unit family, they will serve in volunteer placements and relate to Prince of Peace Mennonite Church.
As part of their orientation for the new program year, beginning in late August, Oyer joined four other unit leaders, program director Susan Nisly, and administrative and recruitment staff at Mission Network’s offices in Newton. During their day in the office, July 28, they received resourcing on antiracism and hospitality, ate lunch with Newton staff, and engaged in sharing and reflection.
"I love the mentoring aspect of the unit leader role, because you have the sacred privilege of watching 18- and 19-year-olds grow and change," said Oyer, who works as an elementary teacher, while serving as a unit leader. "They are still so malleable at this stage, and it’s incredible to witness the depth that they can have as they are processing their experiences."
Oyer said he had been deeply blessed by his mentors in college, who walked alongside him during some difficult times, and in response, he wants to do the same for the participants, who will soon come to Anchorage.
"My mentors guided me through some challenging experiences in college, when so much was new and difficult," he said. "I hope to just be one piece in the puzzle, as they begin to navigate what will be, for many, their first experiences away from the comfort of home."
The other unit leaders said that, like Oyer, they are eager to begin accompanying young adults in their Christian discipleship and formation journey.
For example, Rick and Debbie Lee, who prior to serving with Service Adventure engaged with various leadership roles throughout the wider church, are returning for their second year of leadership with the unit in Jackson, Mississippi. In October, four German youth will arrive to participate in the Jackson unit.
"I am really looking forward to this cross-cultural experience," said Debbie Lee, who will teach English as a Second Language in Jackson public schools during the school year. "We have already bonded very strongly, and I have found that they are wonderful communicators, as their English is very excellent and precise."
Every year, a distinctive group comes and forms a community, Rick Lee said.
"This year is no exception," he said. "It will be a whole new challenge, as we strive to help the young men and women gain a full experience here, in Jackson, and learn from exposure to other parts of America through our travels."
Barry and Erika Kreider, of Akron, Pennsylvania, are serving as first-year unit leaders in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In Akron, Barry served as pastor of Pilgrims Mennonite Church for 19 years, and Erika was a nurse. They both said that they were grateful for the quality orientation they received while in Kansas, for it will help them guide the four participants in their unit.
"I was really impressed with the staff here, in Newton — for how they provided support, vision and clear communication, all of which will help make our first experience with unit life more practical and doable," Erika Kreider said.
Barry Kreider said, "Because of the preparation we’ve received this week, I am looking forward, more than ever, to getting started. It will be exciting to get to know a new congregation and to learn from participants and explore how we can grow together as a unit."
To help resource the unit leaders toward that end, Michele Hershberger, professor of Bible at Hesston (Kansas) College, along with Del Hershberger, vice president of Hesston College’s admissions and financial aid, led a couple of presentations. They included talks on anti-racism and biblical hospitality (Luke 10: 38-42), including the use of food as a conduit for creating a welcome environment and connections.
"I love coffee and coffee bars," Michele Hershberger said. "Sometimes, when you don’t know what to say to each other, you can always talk about the food or the drink in your hand. But the conversation isn’t really about whether you like lattes or drink your coffee black. The conversation helps to connect you with one another and to find commonality."
Rick Lee added how sharing food in their neighborhood has forged connections between people of different cultures — those raised in the Deep South, and those, like the Lees, from elsewhere.
"One time we distributed some corn a church member had picked," he said. "We shared some with our neighbors. One of them said she was going to fix us some fried corn. We had no idea what that was but soon found out. Another time, we shared some fresh eggs with another neighbor, and soon, plates of catfish were coming over our backyard fence for our participants. …
"We were just sharing food in simple ways. And yet, important connections were formed."
