This week, young adults from around the globe are meeting in the Dominican Republic to launch the Church of the Nazarene’s first-ever “Discover Missions” event, a week-long experience to help young adults ages 18-22 explore their calling.
“Missions can mean anything,” says Eurasia Region Missions Mobilization Coordinator Shannon Herndon. Traditionally, the word missions may have felt limited to planting and leading a church. But the Church of the Nazarene believes those in missions can have a passion for social work, communications, education and beyond. “Not everyone is called to pastor,” Shannon says.
On the Eurasia Region, four young adults (pictured above) traveling from England, Italy, Scotland, and Spain have packed their bags and headed to this event to learn more about what God might be calling them to.
“I want to find out more about missions and what it means to be on-mission for a longer term,” says attendee Hannah Clarkson. “I am really excited to be able to go,” she says, “And I also want to meet some more young adults from around the world.”
The event will introduce attendees to current missionaries, providing an opportunity to learn more from those with first-hand experience. It will also include time visiting the surrounding community and local churches, personal devotional time, and learning how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable—a must for any person pursuing a missional lifestyle.
Discover Missions will also help usher in a new season of global mobilization at the Church of the Nazarene. Previously, all applicants hoping to serve somewhere outside of their own region had to apply through Nazarene headquarters in Kansas. Now, applicants will be interviewed and approved at the regional level—a move that empowers leaders at the local level and makes the process more accessible for those hoping to serve.
“The goal is to really open up options for young people,” Shannon says. “It’s a pathway forward.”
Discover Missions will take place every two years, and more information can be found on our website at the following link.
– written by Sarah Norris, volunteer writer
