Pacific Union Recorder

Involving young people in evangelism is always something to celebrate. At an Ambassadors of Hope and board meeting weekend held April 16-18 in Temecula, Calif., Quiet Hour Ministries announced a strong increase in youth mission trip participation and shared numerous mission stories.

Despite the recent economic uncertainty, a record 304 college students and 217 Youth Mission Adventure teenagers participated in QHM evangelism and service mission trips in 19 countries during 2009. They were involved in construction projects, health clinics, children’s programs and evangelistic meetings.

Ambassadors of Hope attendees received a firsthand report from YMA leaders Joedy and Judy Melashenko, who just returned from a YMA mission trip to Panama. The Adventist congregation in Isla Las Cañas, Panama, worshipped in an open-air structure. Over the course of eight weeks, some 90 students and staff from Indiana Academy, Highland Academy and Collegedale Academy built a brand-new sturdy brick church, something the impoverished community could never afford. They worked in hot and humid conditions, slept in the open air — and even got by without internet access.

“These were the nicest kids,” Joedy told the attendees, going on to describe the attitude of service the young people had.

Charlene West, QHM director for evangelism, gave a detailed report about the college student evangelism projects. Many of these projects were held in Latin America, although college students also served in five African countries as well as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. These trips bring college students to the front line of worldwide evangelism as they lead their own evangelistic series. West was moved to tears describing some of the letters she had received from college student participants.

West’s mission report also revealed that some 315 people of all ages participated in QHM’s lay evangelism trips last year. And a total of 37 countries were reached by QHM during 2009.

The Ambassadors of Hope weekend, featuring guest speaker José Rojas, was attended by 135 people, an increase of more than a third over 2009. Over the course of the weekend, donations totaling $100,900 were pledged to QHM.

“The generosity of our supporters during the Ambassadors of Hope weekend was truly outstanding,” said Bill Tucker, QHM president and speaker. “We cannot thank them enough, and we praise God for their partnership with us.”

Concluding the weekend was the QHM annual board meeting, which saw some significant changes. This is an election year for the QHM board, and it also marked a reorganization of the body itself, with the number of members reduced from 20 to 14. QHM officers were also elected with president and speaker Bill Tucker, CEO Michael Porter and CFO Randy Bates all asked to continue their service.

In addition, a new advisory council was formed to provide greater constituent representation within QHM leadership and also to supply broader input on strategic issues. Some 18 individuals comprise the advisory council.