ELCA-MUD Program Foundations (Brian E. Konkol)

Young Adults in Global Mission

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program offers one-year service and learning opportunities around the world. Through a mission experience of accompaniment (“walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality”) alongside local hosts, volunteers learn about themselves, their relationship with God, and their place in God’s world. The primary goals of the Young Adults in Global Mission program are as follows:

• To provide ELCA young adults with a year-long international mission experience that will contribute to their development as servant-leaders for the church.
• To utilize international settings for equipping young adults in the church with cross-cultural skills through service and relationship building.
• To provide engaging and challenging opportunities that will result in young adults who are both globally formed and globally informed.
• To provide young adults with opportunities to grow in their faith and to better understand their place in God’s world.
• To share the gifts and stories of the global church and community with U.S. and ELCA communities.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – Ministry Upstream & Downwind

The Young Adults in Global Mission Program located in South Africa is known as “E.L.C.A. - M.U.D.” The acronym describes the program’s methods and goals.

M – Ministry

First and foremost, M.U.D. is a ministry. It is a faith-based service project designed to share and receive God’s love through the two-way mutual exchange experience of accompaniment. As M.U.D. is sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Global Mission unit, and serves in cooperation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA), the element of faith and ministry is not simply a “slice” of the project “pie”, but it is the “crust”/foundation of the entire experience.

U – Upstream

M.U.D. is upstream in the sense that it is a counter-cultural movement. While many North American young adults are focused upon trying to obtain funds and other material possessions, M.U.D. is an opportunity for young adults to do (and be) something “against the current”. M.U.D. is an opportunity to serve and grow. M.U.D. concentrates on being rather than doing. M.U.D. places young adults in situations that are new and uncomfortable, rather than familiar and easy. M.U.D. is different/upstream from what many young adults in North America are involved in.

In addition, M.U.D. is also counter-cultural in reference to traditional church concepts of global mission. While numerous North American mission organizations have seen themselves solely in the capacity of “giver” and “teacher”, this project, through the method of “accompaniment”, goes “against the current” in the sense that young adults in global mission are not coming to “bring God” to Africa and/or “fix” Africa, but rather, “follow God” alongside local companions and be mutually transformed as fellow participants in God’s mission who have been justified by grace through faith.

D – Downwind

The Old Testament term “ruach” is translated from Hebrew into English as “breath”, “wind”, and/or “spirit”. It is in this sense that, while the M.U.D. project is “upstream” and counter-cultural in nature, we believe M.U.D. is a product of God’s Spirit/breath/wind, thus making it downwind.

God’s breath/wind/spirit provides volunteers and local hosts with life (energy, enthusiasm), it pushes all participants in faithful and fruitful directions (guidance), and provides wisdom (and humility) to learn from mistakes and move forward. All together, participants from the ELCA and ELCSA discern such an experience of accompaniment as a vocational calling in which God is leading/guiding/directing. God has a purpose for each person involved in this program, for they are following, receiving, and utilizing God’s wind, breath, and spirit.

Program Objectives

As mud combines a mixture of water and soil, it is the hope and prayer of the ELCA and ELCSA that each M.U.D. participant would be “globally formed” through in the fertile soil of the experience (Biblical References: Matthew 13:1-15, Mark 4:1-12, Luke 8:4-10).

4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" 9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that "looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.'

As Jesus used mud to remove blindness (John 9), the ELCA and ELCSA is hoping and praying that each participant would be able to see and experience things that they had not seen and/or experienced before. M.U.D. should change perspectives, thus leading someone to be “globally informed”.

1 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, 7 saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

Program Methodology

The ELCA-MUD program seeks to realize the aforementioned goals through a methodology based upon the “popular education” approach to transformational learning; through the lens of accompaniment; found in Luke’s Gospel “Road to Emmaus” account. Specifically, the process is based upon Paulo Friere’s “Circle of Praxis” - Ver (To See) - Pensar (To Think) - Actuar (To Act) - Evaluar (To Evaluate) - Celebrar (To Celebrate). A central focus of the ELCA-MUD program is to allow participants to engage the Circle of Praxis as they participate in the process of accompaniment alongside local hosts throughout the course of their term in South Africa.

To See

Upon initial arrival to South Africa, ELCA-MUD participants immediately begin the process of accompaniment as they experience a new reality (“to see”) alongside local hosts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. The first visits to local communities provide opportunities to hear firsthand accounts from those who live and serve in the face of tremendous challenges that threaten livelihoods, cultural traditions, land rights, living environment, and even human life itself. In addition to experiential learning, volunteers are led by Country Coordinators and local hosts through orientation sessions which focus on culture, theology, history, spirituality, and other relevant topics which provide insight into experiences which may be faced.

For the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, they had “seen" all that had happened in Jerusalem - the crucifixion, repression of those who had followed Jesus, threats, etc. In the context of present day South Africa, participants will “see” in a different light: the remnants of apartheid history, poverty, HIV/AIDS, gender rights, and other challenging situations. With this in mind, just as the disciples were able to “see” what was taking place around them, ELCA-MUD participants will also engage in a process of actively and intentionally “seeing” the reality which surrounds them.

To Think

Not only must one “see” and observe a particular situation, but the Circle of Praxis process continues with an analysis (“to think”) of reality drawing upon various social sciences and theological resources to reflect critically on the root causes of global poverty and injustice. In this particular phase of the ELCA-MUD program, through discussion with local hosts and Country Coordinators, participants enter into themes related to global economics, “free trade”, the role of international financial institutions, Christian missionary history, colonialism, etc. Through in-service retreats and opportunities to accompany local Lutheran congregations, participants hear from a variety of individuals who activity and thoughtfully analyze what is required for positive social change.

For the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, the “thinking” process began as the “stranger” met them on the road and began to open the Scriptures. The stranger specifically names Moses (the Great Liberator of God's people) and the prophets (whom were often persecuted for their bravery). Then the stranger places Jesus (Himself) in line with Moses and the prophets, as if to say "I, too, the Son of God, am a liberator and prophet - how could you expect a different fate to befall me?” As the disciples were given a new perspective in Luke 24, through Biblical, theological, and social reflection alongside local hosts and Country Coordinators, ELCA-MUD participants are provided with a “faith lens” which allows for faithful and fruitful analysis of the world in which they live. Throughout this process, participants – alongside local hosts – explore alternatives that prioritize community wellbeing and respect for others rather than the maximization of personal profits at the expense of others.

To Act

Throughout the ELCA-MUD volunteer term, participants integrate the experiences, analysis, reflections, and guidance of local hosts and Country Coordinators to receive motivation to act more boldly as God’s people in the world through advocacy for global justice, solidarity with grassroots and faith-based organizations, and accompaniment alongside marginalized communities within their own context. While there exist numerous opportunities to “serve” and offer “skills exchange” during the term in South Africa, a core-value of the ELCA-MUD program is to balance “being” and “doing”, as well as “learning” and “teaching”, so that the majority of faithful and fruitful action takes place upon return to their home “mission field” – the United States.

For the disciples, the “action” step involved an invitation for the stranger (Jesus) to stay and eat alongside them. While this sort of behavior was in-line with hospitality culture of the day, it was also a profound risk given the harsh realities of what had just taken place in Jerusalem. Regardless of the potential dangers, the disciples were moved and took action. For ELCA-MUD volunteers, the “to act” piece involves service alongside South African hosts, but also identification of potential actions which they could take in their own communities in the United States that might help alleviate the suffering of their “neighbors”, whether they are literally next door or halfway across the world.

To Evaluate

The Circle of Praxis step of “evaluation” is critically important, as time to reflect upon past actions and experiences of accompaniment allows Country Coordinators, ELCA-MUD participants, ELCA Global Mission staff, and ELCSA hosts to identify strengths and weaknesses of the overall program. As a result of joint dialogue and evaluation, various viewpoints are shared and received, thus providing a more effective future for the ELCA-MUD program and overall relationship between Lutheran Church bodies.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus entered into the process of “evaluation” after Jesus broke bread alongside them and vanished from their sight. They pondered, "…were not our hearts burning within us as he spoke with us on the road?" It was not until they “took a step back” and “evaluated” the experience that they recognized what had taken place within and around them. As a result, the disciples rushed back to Jerusalem to rejoin the community they had left just days before. While little had changed in Jerusalem, they had changed in a tremendous manner, for they were so transformed by their encounter with the crucified and risen Christ that the danger did not seem as important as the continuation of the movement they had abandoned out of fear.

In a similar fashion, a priority of the ELCA-MUD program is that, through the process of accompaniment alongside South African hosts, participants may experience “hearts burning” so that they – disciples of this day and age – will also be transformed, and upon return to the United States their actions will inspire and ignite others.

To Celebrate

The aspect of “celebration” may seem as a strange aspect of the Circle of Praxis, especially as participants experience harsh realities on a daily basis. However, even in the midst of hardship and struggle thousands of miles from their home environment, ELCA-MUD participants “celebrate” the presence of God alongside local hosts. The experience of South African worship, as well as the spiritual fellowship received through congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, allow for various opportunities to celebrate the countless ways in which God provides faith and action through God’s diverse people.

While Jesus’ death brought great sadness and despair for the original disciples, within a matter of days “good news” broke of the resurrection, and after first-hand experiences of the Risen Lord, the disciples gathered often with fellow believers to celebrate the awesome reality of Christ’s presence alongside them. While ELCA-MUD participants will also experience hardship during the course of their term in South Africa, the celebration of Christ’s presence continues in this day and age. The awareness and appreciation of this reality provides participants with comfort and inspiration to carry-on faithfully and fruitfully alongside their fellow believers, both during their time in South Africa, as well as return to the United States.

Summary

Within a Biblical framework, the ELCA-MUD methodology follows the disciples on the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 who encountered the crucified and risen Christ and were so transformed that they returned to Jerusalem with “burning hearts” to promote God’s abundant life, regardless of the cost. The ELCA-MUD program is designed as an encounter with the living God who is present among the people of South Africa, resilient citizens who fought the system of Apartheid and continue to struggle against various injustices which threaten to take away the “abundant life” which God promises.

ELCA-MUD participants are challenged and empowered to learn from South African hosts and experience the world from a radically different perspective. Volunteers return to the United States not only with “burning hearts”, but also with critical tools and inspiration necessary to share the “good news” of their encounter along with their commitment to act in solidarity with the world’s “crucified people”, that is, the poor who are engaged in struggle because they realize that their very survival is at stake. In response to the experience of accompaniment alongside local South African hosts, upon re-entry to the United States volunteers continue to develop as servant-leaders, nurture cross-cultural understanding, develop in global formation and information, continue to develop in faith and understanding of God’s calling, and continue to share stories of God’s work in and through the world by striving for justice, equality, and empowerment.