wfn.org | ABCUSA: Xtreme Teams to Visit Republic of Georgia, Dominican

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

Republic

by Lucas Shivers, International Ministries Intern

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 6/24/05)--With Xtreme
Teams, cross-cultural mission service becomes an adventure for American
Baptist young adults.

This summer marks the eighth anniversary of Xtreme Teams. Since 1998
teams have engaged more than 100 young adults, ages 19-29, in seeking
where and how God may use them in global mission.

Sponsored by International Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA,
two Xtreme Teams and their leaders will immerse themselves in a
month-long program focused on mission outreach in the Republic of
Georgia and the Dominican Republic.

Participants on the Dominican Republic team include Marie Anne
Humenczuk, Gunnison, Colo.; Nicole Seniff, Carmel, Ind.; Niquita
Ramirez, Columbus, Ohio; Daniel Umstead, Spring City, Pa.; Zachary
Sawhill, Everett, Wash.; and Amber Beanblossom, Charleston, W.V.
Leaders are International Ministries missionary Madeline Flores-López,
serving in the Dominican Republic; Ian Salsman, Phoenix, Ariz.; Bill
Mason, Royersford, Pa.; and Moises Sifren, Dominican Republic.

Team members heading for the Republic of Georgia include Ryan Horne,
Cortez, Colo.; Danica Hernandez, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Suleima Rosario,
Jersey City, N.J.; Elliott Johnson, Westfield, N.J.; Derek Matthews, New
Hartford, N.Y.; Peder Wiegner, Ephrata, Pa.; Angela Sprock,
Philadelphia, Pa.; and Abigail Medina Betancourt, Bayamon, P.R. Leaders
include IM Global Consultant Dan Buttry; Joshua Judd, Terre Haute, Ind.;
Molly Grisham, Nashville, Tenn.; and Merab Gaprindashvili, Republic of
Georgia.

"Young adults on the Xtreme Teams learn to Xercise their faith, Xtend
their hands in friendship and service, Xpand their world view, Xamine
their values and Xplore God's Word and world," said Mike Buckles, IM's
Coordinator of Volunteers in Global Mission. Buckles said the Xtreme
Teams provide opportunities for team members and their hosts to witness
God at work.

During their travels team members deepen their relationship with God
while seeking where He wants to use them in the world. Team members are
"Xpected to Xpress" what they have seen and heard when they return to
their home churches and region. "It was an incredible month; learning,
seeing, touching, smelling, hearing and tasting what Bulgaria had to
offer us and the rest of the world," said Craig White, a member of last
year's Xtreme team in Bulgaria.

Both teams will participate in orientation at Judson College, Elgin,
Ill., from July 6-10, before departing for their mission destinations.
Teams travel from July 10 to Aug. 3. After debriefing sessions they will
present their Xperiences at IM's World Mission Conference at Green Lake,
Wis., Aug. 6-11.

Team members post daily online journals, photos and slideshows to
highlight their Xperiences throughout the trip. To follow the adventures
of this year's teams online visit www.xtremeteamonline.org.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN60

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org