Country: Zambia Advance #3022858 Serving At: Pilgrim Wesleyan Church Home Country: Ghana Sandra “Sandy” Maame Ama Nkrumah 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 Resurrection United Methodist Church Adentan, Accra, Ghana, Sandy is part of the youth fellowship. She has served in the campus ministry since secondary school. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations. “With a certificate in media and communication studies and specialization in public relations,” Sandy said, “I have strong communication and problem-solving skills.” Spiritual growth, she noted, “involves learning more about and leaning into God. At the start of our journeys, some of us may be familiar with God’s word, while others may be completely new to the concept of salvation.” She likened her Christian journey to a roller-coaster ride. “The Bible,” Sandy explained, “tells of us as babies and making sure to grow pass sucking milk to chewing bones. I have grown spiritually with my walk with God over the past few years. I have seen transformation in my understanding of God’s word and faith in action. I have come to a point where I cannot go a day without prayer or Scripture to back my prayers.” From involvement in campus evangelism, visiting villages to spread God’s word and educate youth, and participating in church revivals, Sandy has strived to spread the gospel. Her life wasn’t always like that, she said. After a group visited her high school, she began reading the Bible and built a prayer altar. “I desired the fruits of the Spirit,” she recalled. “I now understand what it means to forgive, love and stay in Christ,” she said. “I felt called to mission work when I started my advocacy journey in 2020. I had that conviction of living my faith and making a positive impact.” She realized that while all are not called to ordained ministry, everyone is called to share the message of Christ. “I see [Global Mission Fellows] as a great step toward spiritual growth and personal development,” Sandy continued. “I am excited about the impact it will have on me and those I will serve. I feel led to join in this mission work to benefit others with my advocacy skills and experience. “Serving as a Global Mission Fellow is an incredible opportunity to live out my faith in pursuit of justice, immersing myself in a new community and culture. I'm drawn to this program because it combines my passion for social justice, community development and spiritual growth.” Sandy believes that faith should compel Christians to act justly and to love mercy. “I have been inspired by the examples of courageous leaders who have fought for justice and equality,” she said. “Through this fellowship, I hope to join their ranks, using my skills and experiences to make a meaningful difference.” Sandy’s eventual goal is to work in international development, focusing on poverty, inequality and social injustice. “The fellowship,” she said, “will provide me with hands-on experience, exposure to different cultural contexts, and training in essential skills like project management, community engagement and advocacy. “Moreover, I believe that this program will help me grow spiritually, deepening my understanding of what it means to live out my faith in pursuit of justice. I am eager to explore how my faith intersects with issues of justice, equality and human rights. I hope to deepen my understanding of community-development principles. I hope to work closely with community members, listening to their concerns and aspirations, and supporting their efforts to create positive change through the local churches. “I find joy in community development and organizing communities. The mere fact that I get to listen to people and be in their midst to tackle issues is what fuels my advocacy journey and service to my church.”

Country: Angola Advance #3022859 Serving At: West Angola Annual Conference Home Country: Zimbabwe Vongai “Vee” Vengesai 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 Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe, a Protestant congregation in Gweru, Zimbabwe, Vongai joined the youth outreach and leadership group. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social work and a Master of Science in public health. Since childhood, Vongai has had a passion for serving others. “Growing up in a community like Gweru, where social injustice is prevalent, was motivation enough for me to want to fight social injustice,” she said. “This led me to participate in the Youth Alive Club, which aims to raise awareness about social justice issues among young people. My involvement included initiatives such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” From there, Vongai decided to pursue a degree in social work, which would equip her with the knowledge and the power to fight social injustice. “It wasn't until my college years that I began to experience a profound shift in spiritual awareness,” she said. “During my internship, I encountered diverse communities and heard their struggles and resilience. This experience ignited a deeper understanding of my own faith and the importance of empathy and action. This direct engagement with individuals facing hardships deepened my compassion and sense of purpose.” After hearing about Global Mission Fellows, Vongai felt encouraged to check it out. “The testimonies from GMF alumni,” she said, “made me understand that being a missionary was not only about religious outreach but also about advocating for social justice, alleviating suffering and promoting human dignity. Their testimonies also made me understand that my spiritual growth and faith are not just personal, but also a call to action.” Vongai believes that her skills in social work and public health can empower individuals and communities to improve their lives. “I believe I am meant to contribute positively to the world,” she said. “Serving alongside others with similar values creates a supportive environment where one could grow spiritually and emotionally. My experience working with diverse groups, including victims of abuse and violence, has provided me with valuable insights into the challenges they face.” She is confident that Global Mission Fellows will help her to develop greater resilience, empathy, and understanding of diverse perspectives. “This dual growth, both personal and communal, fuels the ongoing journey of spiritual growth,” Vee said. “This path will offer both challenges and rewards, guiding me toward a life dedicated to uplifting others and embodying my spiritual beliefs.” As a Global Mission Fellow, Vongai feels prepared to embrace the core values of engagement, connection and growth. “These values will not only enhance my community-engagement skills but also will allow me to connect on a deeper level with those I serve,” she said. “Additionally, I will have the opportunity to connect and grow spiritually, cementing my faith, for spiritual growth reinforces my commitment to living selflessly and fulfilling what I consider to be God’s work.” She continued, “My prior voluntary work as a counselor helped me build empathy, active listening skills and client trust. I intend to put these abilities to use by actively assisting marginalized groups in the struggle against social injustice. Additionally, I want to use these abilities to develop, engage and establish connections with the community.”