International Youth Corps Begins

January 2000

Young adults in the United Church of God will soon have the opportunity to serve in projects in Mexico, Chile and other international areas as part of the new United International Youth Corps. The concept of having young adults serve in international areas has been discussed by the administration of the Church and the Council ever since the earliest days of United, said Doug Horchak, member of the Youth Education team of Ministerial Services that helped develop the program. While the projects will start small, the Church hopes to develop more projects and increase participation opportunities in the coming years.

International projects in which Ambassador University students and others were involved in the past did much to impart a vision to our young adults of a world in need of God’s way of life and to set a fine example of service in a world that has too few examples of the give way of life, said Mr. Horchak.

Sum mer camp in Mexico: A few experienced young adult staff members will be needed for a basic camp planned for Mexico this sum mer. A few other international areas that request help might also need experienced camp staff next year.

Teaching in Chile: Mario Seiglie, pastor in Chile, has requested two young adults who are adept in funda mental computer skills and English as a second language to help teach young people and adults in Chile this summer (in the Northern Hemisphere; it will be winter in Chile). The church in Chile has offered to house and feed the teachers while there. A working knowledge of Spanish would be very helpful, but not mandatory.

Helping the disabled in Jordan: While still in the idea stage, Cory and Colene Erickson are investigating the possibility of providing young adults who are prepared to assist this sum mer in a school for the handicapped in Jordan.

Archaeological dig: Possibilities are being researched for young adults to participate in archaeological digs in Jordan or Israel.

Final decisions on project descriptions and applications will be available through U.S. and Canadian pastors early in 2000 and on the United Web site, www.ucg.org. Some deadlines may be as early as February, so once details are made available, interested candidates are encouraged to act soon.

All candidates are expected to be young adults (high school graduates through 30-something) in good health. Priority will be given to those in regular attendance at United Sabbath services, and a pastor’s evaluation will be requested. All candidates will be required to complete pre-project training.

At this point, projects will be primarily self-funded. Youth Corps volunteers will be expected to pay for their own transportation to the international site. It is our goal to have the sponsoring church area or entity take care of the room and board costs for the volunteers, according to the Youth Corps proposal. We will continue to explore alternate funding such as foundation grants, corporate sponsorship, etc. The Church is prepared to pay the expenses of United employees and ministers involved in supervision or education.

A wide variety of other projects are being discussed. These include other summer camps, service to brethren, volunteering in regional Church offices and outside service projects in areas including Africa. Projects will generally be planned for at least two or three weeks during the sum mer months and possibly at se mester breaks of the normal academic year in the United States. Select projects would be planned for longer periods as needed.

The mission state ment of the United International Youth Corps is: Our mission is to help our young adults envision and prepare for the coming kingdom of God. This would be accomplished by helping them to identify with the international nature of the Body of Christ, and with their role in the Work of the Church. UN