About YAGM

The ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program has a webpage, and I can sum up some of my favorite things about this program here as well;

1.) YAGM is a community. This year, 65 of us will be departing to serve in 9 different countries around the world. Through our Discernment-Interview-Placement weekend and a week-long orientation in Chicago immediately before our departure, I have been surrounded by people in the exact same position as me, as well as alumni from both my and other programs there to answer questions and provide support. 

2.) The YAGM program and process places immense intentionality in what it means for someone to enter into another culture and society, and how to do this in a healthy way The term used to describe this is "accompaniment", we're walking alongside our host communities. There's no goal or discussion about converting or "saving" anyone. We're in our placements to learn from and be in community with the people living with and around us. 

• I think this quote from the ELCA pamphlet handed to me in the wild ride that was our Chicago orientation sums it up best:

  • "Mission rooted in relationship means mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, sustainability, and empowerment. It means growth--for everyone involved. Together, in response to God's liberating grace, we listen, learn, and deepen our understanding of and love for one another. As we recognize, affirm, and receive one another's gifts, we become invested in God's mission. These investments are at the center of Global Mission". ​

3.) We as YAGM are well-equipped to go out into a foreign country away from family for a year. YAGM's system of having a country coordinator on sight to check in with and provide a listening ear to any and all issues, concerns, or just fun stories, therapy sessions covered by insurance, job placements decided based on interests, experience, and multiple interviews, and basis in community and relationship makes for a prepared support group to lean on throughout the year.