CHICAGO--The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is mobilizing a group of young adults for a summer of mission work. According to an ELCA news release, 40 members of the church, ages 19-30, will offer their time and talents in congregations, church schools and social ministry settings around the world this summer as part of "Young Adults in Global Mission."

The one-year international service opportunity was established in 1999 with 10 participants. This year young adults will volunteer in Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Kenya, Thailand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Service in each area is designed to build leadership skills, spiritual growth, global awareness and understanding.

"Especially at this time in the life of our church and in the world, we need these kinds of leaders," said the Rev. Stephen J. Nelson, director for international personnel, ELCA Division for Global Mission. "It's about relationships. It's about giving and receiving. Through the giving of our gifts and the receiving of the gifts of those among whom we serve, our church is strengthened," he said.

The church interviewed 50 candidates for the program from across the country. They selected 42 to be trained in August and begin serving this fall.

Julie Quello, an alumnus of the program, shared her experience of working at a nursing home and a homeless shelter in Argentina. "My faith changed because I saw God everywhere," she said.

"I've been waiting to do this for a long time," said Alexis Twito, who will begin service this summer. "It was only in college that I learned about the work of global mission in the ELCA. When I heard about this program, I felt it was right. This is a time to see the world while working in areas such as AIDS ministry, women's concerns and education."

"Nurturing leaders in the church is an important part" of the Young Adults in Global Mission program, said the Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, director for leadership development, ELCA Division for Global Mission.

"Serving God around the world is a gospel mandate, and working with our companion churches in their needs is always important. What we are also accomplishing here is lifting up leaders who will have a global view of life and thus will be a resource for the ongoing ministry of our church," Ishida said.

The ELCA Division for Global Mission employs an "accompaniment" model for ministry overseas. In accompaniment, churches in the United States and around the world "walk together in service in God's mission."

Young people in the program serve as volunteers and work in a supervised setting. Travel, housing, medical insurance and allowance are provided, and volunteers are required to raise $3,000 for program support.