Posts tagged Young Adults in Global Mission
September Mission Support Memo: Where Faith Meets Justice
September Mission Support Memo: Where Faith Meets Justice

The September 2025 Mission Support Memo shares Mary’s journey as a Young Adult in Global Mission in Mexico City, where she moved from accompaniment to advocacy, guided by values of mutuality, inclusivity, and empowerment. Her story highlights how YAGM shapes young adults to serve, learn, and work for justice.

This month’s memo also introduces the new ELCA Church Property Resource Hub, created to help synod and congregational leaders navigate opportunities and challenges with land and buildings in service of the church’s mission. We invite you to read, share, and engage with this resource.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support Team, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
From Zambia to Madagascar: ELCA Global Missionary Pastor Kristin’s New Call
From Zambia to Madagascar: ELCA Global Missionary Pastor Kristin’s New Call

Pastor Kristin Engstrom has completed her first year serving as an ELCA Global Missionary in Madagascar, working alongside the Malagasy Lutheran Church, one of the fastest-growing Lutheran churches in the world. Read about her ministry, the challenges facing Madagascar’s faith communities, and how the ELCA continues to support vital programs, including healthcare and education. Check out her February 2025 Newsletter for stories and photos.

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ELCA, News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardPastor Kristin Engstrom, Global Mission, ELCA Global Mission, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
Building Bridges: How One Young Lutheran Is Leading Intergenerational Conversations
Building Bridges: How One Young Lutheran Is Leading Intergenerational Conversations

John Christensen, a young-adult and disability advocate, is shaping the future of Lutheran leadership through global advocacy and intergenerational dialogue. After serving in Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), he joined the ELCA’s Young Adult Vocational Fellowship and now works with the World Council of Churches on disability and mental health advocacy. His journey highlights how young leaders can stay engaged in ministry and address crucial issues within the church. Read more about his inspiring work at Living Lutheran.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, Youth and Young Adult, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
Who Will Make Room? Advent Webinars Explore Justice in the Holy Land
Who Will Make Room? Advent Webinars Explore Justice in the Holy Land

This Advent, join the 2024 Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine webinar series to hear powerful stories of faith, justice, and resilience from Palestinian Christians and ELCA partners in the Holy Land. Featuring speakers like Khalil Sayegh, Rev. Rodny Said, the ELCJHL Youth, and YAGM alumni, the three sessions will inspire reflection and action.

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ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Advent and Christmas, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, Young Adults in Global Mission, Israel and PalestineComment
From South Dakota to Mexico: Reflections on a Year of Service
From South Dakota to Mexico: Reflections on a Year of Service

This year, YAGM Mexico welcomes a new cohort of young adults, ready to serve and grow in their faith through diverse service opportunities. After a transformative year with the first cohort, we reflect on their impact while preparing these new volunteers for their mission. Learn how the YAGM program continues to make a difference through faith, service, and justice, and how you can support their work in Mexico in the latest newsletter (PDF) from Soliette Lopez, YAGM Mexico Country Coordinator.

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ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardYoung Adults in Global Mission, Mexican Lutheran ChurchComment
Global Mission in Focus: Rev. Soliette Lopez Shares Her Journey with YAGM Mexico
Global Mission in Focus: Rev. Soliette Lopez Shares Her Journey with YAGM Mexico

Rev. Soliette Lopez, ELCA missionary and YAGM Mexico Country Coordinator, highlights her recent activities and the impactful stories from the Young Adults in Global Mission program in her latest newsletter for March-May 2024. She shares experiences from the Discernment Interview Placement event in Chicago, personal and community life in Mexico, and plans for her upcoming visits to the United States. To read more about her inspiring journey and how you can support their mission, visit her newsletter at Rev. Soliette Lopez’s Newsletter.

She will be visiting the United States this July 2024 and then March 2025 if any congregations are interested in an in-person visit and update.

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ELCA, Global Church, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardGlobal Mission, Young Adults in Global Mission, Mexican Lutheran ChurchComment
Embrace Global Mission: The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program Awaits You
Embrace Global Mission: The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission Program Awaits You

Discover how the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program offers young adults a transformative journey of faith, service, and global understanding. Applications are open for an August 2024 start with priority given to those applying by January 15, 2024. Learn more about this incredible opportunity at ELCA.org/YAGM.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardYoung Adults in Global Mission, Youth and Young AdultComment
ELCA Global Links: October/November 2023
ELCA Global Links: October/November 2023

Amidst the turmoil of the Israel-Hamas conflict, we stand with our global family in prayer and support. Read the latest Global Links newsletter for updates on the crisis, mission stories of hope, and ways to get involved. They also share mission personnel updates, new Advent resources and the ongoing Truth and Healing Movement.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardGlobal Links, Global Mission, Young Adults in Global Mission, Israel and PalestineComment
Update about Young Adults in Global Mission in the Holy Land
Update about Young Adults in Global Mission in the Holy Land

In consultation with partners on the ground, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a very tough but prudent decision to evacuate YAGM personnel, including the 5 Young Adults in Global Mission from the Holy Land and the country coordinators. We are relieved to share that everyone is safe.

The images coming out of the news are heartbreaking and we extend our prayers to the Palestinian and Israeli people who have lost loved ones and are living in fear and uncertainty.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Young Adults in Global Mission, Israel and Palestine, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy LandComment
YAGM expands age range and application process
YAGM expands age range and application process

Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program announces two changes to the application process:

1) Young adults ages 21-35 are welcome to apply for YAGM. This expands the previous age range of 21-29 to align more closely with ELCA Young Adult Ministry.

2) Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, year-round. The timeline for decisions and the period of service for program participants will remain the same as in previous years.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
YAGM final application deadline is 2/1/2023
YAGM final application deadline is 2/1/2023

The final deadline to apply for Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) is Feb. 1, 2023.

Now even more communities are ready to welcome you. The YAGM team recently announced that the Mexico and Central Europe country programs will be reopening in 2023. Volunteers will have the opportunity to serve there and in four other country programs. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Global Mission, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
YAGM priority deadline is 1/15/2023
YAGM priority deadline is 1/15/2023

The priority deadline to apply for Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) is Jan. 15, 2023. The final application deadline is Feb. 1, 2023.

Now even more communities are ready to welcome you. The YAGM team recently announced that the Mexico and Central Europe country programs will be reopening in 2023. Volunteers will have the opportunity to serve there and in four other country programs. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Global Mission, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
YAGM applications are now open
YAGM applications are now open

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year.

If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2023. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardYoung Adults in Global Mission, Youth and Young Adult, Global MissionComment
YAGM update from Mae Helen Jackson
YAGM update from Mae Helen Jackson

After a two-year pause, the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is sending volunteers out into the world again. Mae Helen Jackson, Young Adult Outreach and Placement Manager, gives an update about some of the ways the YAGM team is bringing the program up to date and making it more welcoming for everyone. YAGM is ready for you! Submit your application beginning Nov. 1, 2022 at ELCA.org/YAGM.

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ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardYoung Adults in Global Mission, Youth and Young AdultComment
Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) May 2022 update
Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) May 2022 update

The Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program has been paused since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then the YAGM staff deepened relationships with global partners and asked important questions to shape the future of the program. In a video message, YAGM program director Dan Beirne shares some of what he and the staff learned during that process. We also share a newsletter with more info.

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ELCA, News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardGlobal Mission, Young Adults in Global MissionComment
YAGM Update with Program Director Dan Beirne
YAGM Update with Program Director Dan Beirne

The Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program has been paused since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the YAGM staff have remained hard at work over the past two years, deepening relationships with global partners and asking important questions that will shape the future of the program. In this video message, YAGM program director Dan Beirne shares some of what he and the staff learned during that process. Find out more about YAGM at ELCA.org/YAGM.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardYoung Adults in Global Mission, Youth and Young AdultComment