Southern Africa

Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through Global Mission has positions available alongside the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (which consists of Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland), for ELCA young adults, ages 21-29. Volunteers The program in Southern Africa, known locally as “Ministry Upstream & Downwind” (ELCA-MUD), requires participants who are flexible, patient, pro-active, and able to work both independently and cooperatively, in good physical health, emotionally resilient, and culturally sensitive. Participants must also be willing to engage in issues related to race, globalization, poverty and class, serve in diverse communities (both racially and socio-economically), have a commitment to simple-living, an ability to learn basic communication skills in the language of the region, and genuine openness to change and desire for personal growth and development.College degree or equivalent life experience required.

Context
In 1994, the first nationwide democratic elections were held for all
the people in the Republic of South Africa marking the official end
of the apartheid era and minority white-rule. While a remarkable transition towards political liberation was achieved with the help
of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the major challenge facing the country (and region) is to address historic and current economic and social disparities. Countries which share a border with South Africa have also witnessed a dramatic transformation as a result of liberation movements and progression of democracy.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) was formed in 1975 through the merger of four regional bodies. With a membership of approximately 500,000 the church is organized into seven dioceses with parishes in rural and urban areas involved in a variety of ministries. Throughout Southern Africa numerous ecumenical and community-based organizations are deeply committed to working for justice, reconciliation and sustainable development.

What Opportunities Are Available?
“leadership development” where young adults participate in learning and service placements, working closely with assigned local host supervisors for the purpose of developing into servant leaders who are more globally formed and globally informed. While placement site activities play a crucial role, the primary objective for participants is to enter into a process of self-discovery and development through an engagement with the ministries of ELCSA and/or a number of ecumenical and community-based organizations. The Southern Africa YAGM program offers diverse and challenging learning opportunities to those willing to live and explore God’s calling to political, social and economic justice as well as spiritual formation. It is an invitation to a lifestyle of simplicity in challenging cross-cultural settings shared with people of common commitment. The Southern Africa YAGM program will provide an encounter with a region and people in transition and embody a tension between learning (being) and serving (doing) wherein the YAGM participant offers time and energy and the placement offers insight and direction. Each placement is located in various sites around the region, and is constructed in consultation with ELCSA according to the interests and skills of the YAGM participant and the assets and vision of the receiving organizationPositions are designed along the line of internships where the young adults will participate in learning and service placements, working closely with assigned local host supervisors. Placements will include engagement in the ministries of the ELCSA and/or a number of ecumenical and community-based organizations. This is a program that offers diverse learning opportunities to those willing to live and explore God’s calling to political, social and economic justice as well as spiritual formation. It is an invitation to a lifestyle of simplicity in challenging cross-cultural settings shared with people of common commitment. The South Africa program will provide an encounter with a country and people in transition and embody a tension between learning and serving wherein the YAGM volunteer offers time and energy and the placement offers insight and direction. Each placement is constructed according to the interests and skills of the volunteer and the assets and vision of the receiving organization.

• Children and youth ministries in congregations and/or community organizations
• Refugee services
• After-school programs, including tutoring, arts, music, and recreation/sports
• Advocacy, development work, and training programs
• Research and data capture
• HIV & AIDS and the response of Christian communities
• Public Heath/Heath Care
• Agriculture
• Creative arts, crafts, and music
• Care for those with special needs, vulnerable orphans and children
• Assistance with administration, computers
• Parish Ministry, including small-group participation

Through the above-mentioned placement site opportunities, YAGM participants experience learning in the following (with links to reflections written by current and former participants involved in such areas):

• Contextual Biblical Interpretation
• African Theology
• Economics, Poverty, and Fair Trade
• Public Health
• Gender Equality
• Social Justice
• Traditional African Religion
• Traditional African Medicine/Healing Practices
• Spirituality
• Christian Missionary Movements, Concepts of Mission
• Race Relations
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• African Culture
• Lutheran Church History & Ministries
• African Music, Arts and Crafts
• Environmentalism
• Leadership
• Simple-Living, Consumerism

The YAGM experience in Southern Africa provides in-country orientation, guided periods for processing the experience, and efforts toward building community. Young adults will join together with other YAGM volunteers for reflection, expression, study, prayer and community building led by country coordinators and local hosts. The program is designed to equip the YAGM volunteers with the tools to be effective companions working to promote justice, the understanding to interpret and articulate mission in Southern Africa, and the skills to be capable leaders for the church upon return to the U.S.

What Is Provided?
As a Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM), you will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself, grow in faith, and increase in understanding of your place in God’s world. In addition, you will receive: As a Young Adult in Global Mission, you will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself, grow in faith, and increase in understanding of your place in God’s world. In addition, you will receive:

• 35-40 hours per week of placement site assignments
• Housing (varies depending on the site – home stay, shared housing, apartments, on-campus housing, etc)
• Food (either provided with your housing arrangement or by cash allowance)
• Pocket Money
• Vacation time as determined by country program
• Orientation in the US at the start of service
• Training conferences, retreats, and seminars throughout your period of service
• Opportunities for reflection, study, prayer and community building
• Supervision and support through your placement and an in-country program coordinators
• Airfare to and from your home and South Africa
• Medical Insurance
• Student loan deferment

On the Web

• YAGM in Southern Africa, Program Blog: http://elcamud.blogspot.com
• YAGM in Southern Africa, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ELCAMUD

What Is My Commitment?

• Attend the Discernment Event weekend in mid-April
• One year of service, beginning in mid-August with orientation
• Raise at least $4,000 towards program and support costs (let staff know if you have questions or concerns)

Preferred application deadline is February 1. Final deadline for receiving applications is February 15.