Mission Discovery HIstory
Bishop R. Sheldon Duecker as a member of the UMVIM-NCJ Board, shared with the group an encounter he had in Africa with a group of youths in mission service. He proposed to the board that it adopt a program that would stimulate and challenge youths with a quality experience of sharing, spirituality and work in a community in a third world setting. Thus Mission Discovery was implemented.
Retired Bishop Hodapp stated that our young people are a fertile mission field. Unless there is “missionary expansion” among the youth, the United Methodist Church could die in one generation.
Many local youth groups spend a week doing mission service in many U.S. locations. Any work project, anywhere can be life changing. Mission Discovery goes one step beyond to provide the opportunity for youths to participate in a different cultural setting where work study opportunities arise for them to see the connectional arm of their denomination and to work together with youths from the host country.
William Rollians Scholarship
William (Bill) Rollins was the first and only Volunteer In Mission Staff person for the United Methodist Church. For over 12 years, Bill assisted a vast number of persons from all over the Methodist Connection as they developed their VIM program. This Scholarship was established under Bill’s name for youth/young adults who are accepted as participants on a Mission Discovery team. The applicant must:
-
•Be between 16-26
-
•Be of ethnic background
-
•Be willing to be an ambassador of the Mission Discovery program by telling their story when they return.