DownloadFeb. 8 issue
New service unit will spring forth in Colorado
By Hannah Heinzekehr Mennonite Mission NetworkCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — This fall, Service Adventure participants will have a new location for service, community and maybe even skiing.
Beth-El Mennonite Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., will open its doors to volunteers from the Service Adventure program. — Photo provided by MMN
In September, Beth-El Mennonite Church will open its doors to volunteers from Mennonite Mission Network’s Service Adventure program.
Colorado Springs will be the newest of six Service Adventure units in cities around the United States, including Albany, Ore., Albuquerque, N.M., Anchorage, Alaska, Johnstown, Pa., Philippi, W.Va., and Raleigh, N.C.
“Due to the city’s large military presence and sometimes strident evangelical reputation, we as Mennonites have the opportunity here in Colorado Springs to be a bit of a counter-balance and to express a different kind of understanding of what it means to be Christian,” said Pastor Merv Birky.
Partnering with Service Adventure is one of the ways Beth-El is reaching out to its community. Members participate in a ministry to homeless city residents and work with local non-profit organizations.
“Our desire to host a unit is twofold. First, we realize that having people partnering with our church to serve the community puts feet to our beliefs, but we also realize how young adults can be impacted in huge ways when they give time and service away from home,” said Paula Brunk Kuhns, a member of the Beth-El committee providing leadership to organize the new unit.
Comment on the article New service unit will spring forth in Colorado
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
