Brethren young adults prepare for mission service.

Three young adults‑‑Matthew Haren, of Brook Park (Ohio) Community Church of the Brethren; Paul Liepelt, recently ordained by Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, New Paris, Ohio; and Beth Gunzel, of York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard, Ill.‑‑have been preparing for mission service with the Global Mission Partnerships office of the General Board, through an ecumenical cross‑cultural orientation in Chicago, July 11‑23. The training focused on topics such as missiology, globalization, intercultural dynamics, security, and self‑care.

Haren, a Manchester College graduate, left July 28 for a teaching assignment in history and government at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria. Liepelt, a May graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary, is heading to Nigeria in a few weeks to teach at Kulp Bible College. Gunzel, a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with a masters degree in international community development, will leave in September for the Dominican Republic where she will take up the role of consultant for the community development work begun by Jeff and Peggy Boshart as they conclude their service later this year.

"These capable young adults are exciting additions to the mission team," said Merv Keeney, executive director for Global Mission Partnerships. "It is a delight to see some of our finest young adults responding to God's call to mission service."

Source: Newsline 7/30/2004