Mennonite Weekly Review

ELKHART, Ind. — In what leaders see as a trend toward volunteerism, participation in Mennonite Mission Network’s Christian service programs is up 44 percent.

The Albuquerque (N.M.) Service Adventure unit includes, from left, Carrie Slagel, Anita Schrock, Kirsten Stopher and Tania LaMotte. — Photo by Cara Rufenacht/MMN

This year 227 young adults and people of all ages are investing their time in Mennonite Voluntary Service, Radical Journey, Service Adventure, Service Opportunities for Older People and Youth Venture. Last year in August, 158 participants had committed to serve in these programs.

Applications are still pouring in. MMN has received 307 applications in 2008, as compared to 232 last year.

“I think this is the future of the Mennonite church,” said Ken Regier, MMN’s program human resources director, who interviews service applicants. “People are reading Jesus and what he calls us to do and understanding that it means more than just going to church on Sunday. These programs allow people to put their faith into action and to get involved.”

A new online application and the tightening job market have helped numbers increase, but more significant is an increased interest in service as a vocation.

“I think in general throughout this country we have this move toward volunteerism in which young people really look at volunteering as a good way to test their call and to figure out what they want to do,” said Hugo Saucedo, MVS director.

Jordan Zickafoose of Lima (Ohio) Mennonite Church is a new MVSer volunteering this year in Fresno, Calif. His interest in restorative justice and the testimonies of friends participating in MVS led him to apply.

“As I was getting ready to graduate I was thinking about what I wanted to do as a vocation,” Zickafoose said. “Something kind of sparked my interest in the restorative justice field in the past two years, and I thought MVS would be a good way to explore that interest.”

Zickafoose is working with Circles of Support and Accountability in Fresno. He will help facilitate support networks that provide accountability and community for high-risk sex offenders on parole.

Mary Jo Martin of Olive Mennonite Church in Elkhart received affirmation from her church and parents, making her choice easy.