HELM Leadership Fellows Go West!

2019 Retreat to be held in Oakland / San Francisco Bay area and will focus on Homelessness

In the almost two decades of the HELM Leadership Fellows Program, the annual fall retreat has been held in many different places throughout the US. For the first time, the retreat will be held in California. From October 31 – November 3, 2019, the HELM leadership fellows will be in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area for three days and one of the primary topics to be explored will be chronic homelessness.

The participants will visit the Oakland Peace Center and will participate in a plenary workshop facilitated by noted Disciples author and activist, Rev. Sandhya Jha. Week of Compassion Executive Director, Vy Nguyen, will also address the group and share his perspective on the way the ministry works with partners throughout the world to alleviate suffering and promote compassion. As Regional Minister in the host region of Northern California-Nevada, Rev. LaTaunya Bynum had this to say: “We are pleased to welcome HELM scholars to the Bay area where they will be able to see the beauty and the opportunities for service in our region.” Students from Disciples Seminary Foundation will also play a role in helping with the retreat and engaging the HELM scholars.

The Leadership Fellows Program is the signature leadership development program of HELM and seeks to cultivate and strengthen participants’ potential for leadership in the church and society. During each of their four years of participation in the program, the students focus on a different theme:

Year One: Community – Students learn about Christian community and the centrality of Christ who invites Christians to serve and be in solidarity with the least of these.

Year Two: Transformation – This year focuses on what it means for Christians to engage in work that promotes peace, justice, and social transformation.

Year Three: Global Awareness – Students gain an understanding of the increasing interconnectedness of the world and how the church engages in mission with partners throughout the world.

Year Four: Mentoring – Students engage in facilitated discernment around what it means to be an emerging adult, seeking to integrate one’s faith into all facets of life.

If you are interested in supporting the work of HELM and the Leadership Fellows program, in particular, we invite you to visit our donations page to see how you can make a contribution.