Country: Kenya Advance #3022852 Serving At: Wesley Trinity Junior Academy Home Country: Madagascar Erica Tahiriniaina Nomenjanahary 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. A lay member of the Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, Antananarivo, part of the Madagascar Mission Field, Erica teaches Sunday school and is vice president of the youth group. She earned a diploma/certificate in education. Erica describes her spiritual growth as a rewarding journey that evolves day by day. “My faith,” she said, “grows through the teachings I regularly receive at church, where the word of God is a source of inspiration and transformation in my life. These teachings help me better understand God’s will and apply God’s principles in my daily life. “Regularly reading the Bible, both alone and in groups, plays a crucial role in my spiritual maturity. Meditating on the Scriptures strengthens me and guides my path. Prayer is also a fundamental pillar in my relationship with God. Through it, I find comfort, guidance and strength to overcome life’s challenges.” Erica finds profound joy in serving God. “I experience a deep sense of peace and fulfillment beyond any earthly satisfaction,” she said. “My desire to serve is particularly motivated by the calling I feel in my heart: to help those in need, wherever they may be in the world.” This conviction drives Erica to engage in mission work. She believes that her commitment is a response to God’s calling. “I am ready to embrace a new chapter of my faith journey by joining a different community to fulfill the work of God,” she said. “I firmly believe that this experience will not only be an act of obedience to God’s call but also an essential preparation for my future in God’s service.” Erica realizes that becoming a Global Mission Fellow means temporarily letting go of her family, her familiar environment and the people she loves. “It is a renunciation of all that has shaped my daily life to open myself to the unknown,” she said. “But in this renunciation lies a powerful declaration of faith and love: I choose to respond to God’s call by placing my trust in God and God’s plan for my life. I know that this path, though it may be filled with challenges, is rich with divine promises.” She added, “It is a way to testify to God’s love that transcends borders, languages and cultures. By devoting myself to a new community, I want to embody this love, which is patient, kind and selfless. Every action taken in this new environment will be a manifestation of the divine love that unites us all, regardless of our differences.” Erica believes in the power of faith that is not limited to what we can see or understand today. “God has plans for my life, plans that I cannot always fully comprehend at the moment,” she said. “But I know that through faith, every step I take in obedience paves the way for achievements far greater than I could ever imagine.” Erica is convinced that Global Mission Fellows also represents a beginning – “the start of a new adventure in faith, a springboard toward a future marked by service and God’s work,” she said. “I have faith that God will guide me, strengthen me and bring forth spiritual fruits from this experience that will benefit not only my life, but also those I am called to serve. It is in this spirit of humility, love and faith that I fully commit myself to this new mission.” In every church gathering, whether worship services, Bible studies, community outreach or prayer meetings, Erica wants her life to be an example of what it means to follow Christ. “This involves loving my neighbor, being patient in trials, showing kindness to those in need and being available to serve where there is a need,” she explained. “By putting these principles into practice, I want to inspire others to walk the same path of faith and develop their own Christian commitment.”

Country: United Kingdom Advance #3022853 Serving At: Wesley Chapel and Leysian Mission Home Country: Belize Tamira Tanice Inger Nunez 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. Tamira is a lay member of Libertad Methodist Church in Corozal, Belize, related to the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas. “I actively participate in services,” she said, “contributing to worship and deepening my faith, while building strong friendships. This church community has greatly enriched my spiritual journey.” She admits that the road is sometimes tough. “I have faced multiple challenges along the way,” Tamira said, “but even the Lord faced difficulties when preaching the gospel. Despite showing countless signs that he was the Messiah, many still doubted him. This reminds me that challenges are an inevitable part of the path God sets for us. Through these challenges, God teaches me valuable lessons, allows me to grow and strengthens my faith. “For me, this journey has been both difficult and beautiful, filled with moments of doubt, but also incredible growth and learning. Each obstacle I have encountered has only deepened my trust in God’s plans for my life. These experiences have molded me into the person I am today, more resilient and confident in my faith. Through leading vacation Bible school, teaching Sunday school, and providing spiritual guidance to children and youth, I have witnessed how God works through us to touch lives and bring hope.” Tamira yearns to be more like God, striving to live in God’s image, sharing the love God has so graciously poured out on her, following God’s path for her and honoring God in every aspect of her life. She believes Global Mission Fellows is part of God’s plan for her life. “By stepping into this calling,” she said, “I am choosing to honor and obey God wholeheartedly.” She continued, “I am eager to deepen my faith and knowledge as a Christian. My journey with God has been transformative, and I believe this opportunity is part of God’s plan, reflecting the growth I've experienced in my faith, mindset and attitude. I hope to share what I’ve learned with others and learn from their experiences. This program offers a unique opportunity to live out my faith while actively contributing to a community’s growth and well-being. “My experiences in church ministry, working with youth and organizing community events,” Tamira said, “have shown me the power of community-driven advocacy and cultural preservation. I am passionate about serving others, and my faith is the foundation that drives me to seek justice, compassion and inclusivity for all. Global Mission Fellows aligns perfectly with my values, as it gives me a chance to integrate my beliefs with hands-on service and social justice work, fostering growth both spiritually and professionally.” Tamira hopes to gain skills in sustainable community development and cultural awareness that will enhance her associate’s and Bachelor of Science degrees in tourism management. “By immersing myself in a new community,” she said, “I will have the opportunity to learn directly from its people, understand their challenges and strengths, and collaborate on solutions that resonate with their needs. These experiences will deepen my understanding of how to work effectively across cultures, respect local traditions and contribute to meaningful change. “I am excited for the chance to commit myself fully to a new community and serve with empathy, purpose and dedication, knowing that this journey will shape my future in ways that will enrich both my professional and personal life. By working closely with communities, I aim to help create initiatives that celebrate their identities while fostering long-term economic and environmental benefits.” Tamira has benefited from her experiences in church ministry and work with children and youth. “I am passionate about engaging with young people and helping create safe spaces where they can express themselves and develop their talents,” she noted. “Empowering them to take pride in their identities and ambitions is central to my mission, as I believe youth are key to driving lasting change.” Through Global Mission Fellows, Tamira aims to integrate her skills, interests and education into service, fostering positive change while growing as a leader and advocate. “This opportunity,” she said, “will allow me to expand my worldview, deepen my faith and make a meaningful difference.”