Gwanghui Jeong is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. Gwanghui was the student pastor at Meawha Methodist Church, part of the Korean Methodist Church. He earned Bachelor of Theology(2021) and Master’s degrees in mission and culture(2023) at Hyupsung University in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Prior to that, he studied education and ministry at the Methodist Center for Education and Culture Research Institute. “While studying Methodist theology,” Gwanghui recalled, “I learned that Wesley’s dedication as an evangelist to spiritual salvation was not only academic Christianity, but also extended to the social field, the actual place of life for everyone. Wesley’s practical theology led him to be interested in a gregarious faith that, along with a doctrinal confession, was responsible for the realm of humanity and the world’s life.” As a theology student, Gwanghui experienced various missionary groups – Youth with a Mission, InterCP International, World Mobile Mission and others – directly or indirectly on campus and in local churches. Some, he noted, focus on the people to be saved, while others are directed toward the ministry that occurs within the church. One of his professors introduced the Global Mission Fellows program. “GMF, established by The United Methodist Church, is said to serve social justice around the world and to be connected to local churches through it, so the heart of social injustice, such as education, social problems, justice, food and the environment, is heated up,” Gwanghui said. “It is good to serve local churches in Korea, but I want to experience mission through the Global Mission Fellows program.” He hopes to discover how God wants him to serve after his GMF term ends.

Sharon Jokwiro is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. Sharon is a member of Westlea Rudaviro Circuit United Methodist Church, Harare African Township, in the West Zimbabwe Annual Conference. She worked with the Youth Projects Team, was the assistant director of the youth choir and chaired the Community Service Committee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology from the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, and a Master of Science in human resource management from Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe. Describing herself as “a technically competent, highly motivated, adaptable learner and an enthusiastice, effective communicator,” Sharon is passionate about community service. She enjoys teamwork and supports equity and accountability in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Eager to partucipate in God’s mission as a partner in ministry, Sharon gained valuable experience as a research assistant with the Clinton Health Access Initiative of Zimbabwe and as a public relations officer for Expert Choice Agrochemicals: Harare. “I have ample knowledge of the public health system in low- and middle-income earning countries,” she said. “This will help me to be of much service in advocating and disserminating information on health issues. “I can also create, strengthen and maintain collaborative relationships, linkages and referral networks across relevant stakeholders and different points,” Sharon added. “This will help in connectionalism and in building interdependent worldwide partnerships, therefore making it possible to proclaim the gospel and to seek, welcome and gather people into the body of Christ.” She is skilled at packaging communication materials for targeted audiences: training manuals, policy influence plans, project presentations, reports and newsletters. Sharon appreciates opportunities to work with people from different cultural backgrounds. “I am willing to help promote justice and equality,” she said. “I can influence other young individuals through sharing knowledge and applying leadership/teamwork skills.” She wants to be part of an innovative, robust and open-minded team “that is hardworking, strong-willed and highly committed to transforming the world through Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Bible.”