Ministry Quest looks beyond grant

MB Biblical Seminary’s $1.6 million Lilly Endowment grant will come to an end this summer. Over the past four years the funds have enabled the formation of Hearing the Call, a set of mutually supporting programs that equips congregations to “call out” youth and encourage them to consider vocational ministry.

Ministry Quest is the largest component of Hearing the Call. Because of its success, Ministry Quest will continue through at least 2009.

Since 2003, 113 high school students and 106 mentors from 45 Mennonite Brethren churches in North America have participated in the Ministry Quest program. Two non-MB churches have also taken part. Each year-long experience includes leadership retreats, church-based mentoring relationships, opportunities for ministry observation, and a short-term ministry assignment. In cooperation with MB colleges in Canada and the U.S., 59 college students have also participated.

The benefits for students are immense, says Ministry Quest director Rick Bartlett. They have an enriching cross-cultural experience and emerge from the program with a lifelong desire to be in mentoring relationships.

Bartlett says the student’s home church also benefits. “Calling out young leaders for vocational ministry is something churches want to do.”

More information is available at Ministry Quest.

—MBBS release