Running From Malaria - Issue #217 (January 21, 2015)

This is an excerpt from a PDF download. To download the full text of this document click: Running From Malaria

When it became clear that a “traditional” weeklong mission trip would not work with the schedules of the youth at Trinity United Methodist Church in Waverly, Iowa, the pastor reframed the question. No longer did she ask, “What mission project will we do together this summer?” Instead she asked, "What are each of you willing to do to be engaged in mission in a meaningful way?"

After pondering this question, three teenage boys from the congregation decided to run across the state of Iowa, covering over 330 miles in twenty-one days. Why did they run? To raise awareness of and support for efforts to end malaria. After the three teens suggested that they join the malaria run in conjunction with youth from Redeemer Lutheran Church (ELCA), the folks of both congregations made sure the youth had the support team in place to make their run possible.

During their cross-state run, they visited ELCA and UMC congregations along the way to raise awareness and support for both Imagine No Malaria and ELCA churchwide anti-malaria efforts. The ecumenical team helped out with VBS programs, launched Imagine No Malaria initiatives, and raised over $17,000 to combat malaria, including $6,500 for Imagine No Malaria. You can learn more about the blossoming of this project at www.facebook.com/RunningfromMalaria.

The project didn’t end there. Another summer two other youth offered to dye their hair wild colors to raise money for a charity. One of them sported bright pink hair throughout annual conference to keep raising awareness there. He raised over $1000 for Imagine No Malaria. Reframing ministry questions and giving ownership for mission to young people have proven to be effective strategies for engaging whole congregations in addressing global health issues and in intentionally living as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Questions for Reflection

• If you asked youth (or adults, or children) in your congregation what they would commit to do to engage actively in mission, and then offered to walk alongside them to make their ideas a reality, what might they say and do?
  
• How might you and congregations of other denominations work together to support youth (or adults, or children) in engaging mission where you are?
  
• How can you build support processes, so all involved will learn and grow from what doesn’t work, as well as celebrate what does?
  
  
  

Taylor Burton-Edwards is Director, Worship Resources, at Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, TN. You can contact him at [email protected].

Romans 12 Newsletter. Issue #217. © 2015 Discipleship Ministries. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy this newsletter for use in United Methodist congregations. This newsletter is provided as a service of Discipleship Ministries and is funded through World Service apportionment giving by local United Methodist congregations.