Dave Houser began his role as the discipleship coach for Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) on Aug. 3. Houser's first major project is launching a pilot program called Advance, which is a short-term, U.S.-based program for discipleship and mission training.
EMM's Advance program is an opportunity for young adults ages 18 to 25 to connect with other young adults in a community setting while learning and growing in discipleship, to have meaningful relationships while deepening their relationship with God, and to engage to make a difference in a local community.
Advance will begin in October with a week of discipleship training in a community cohort setting. Each individual will be connected to a ministry or nonprofit located domestically that fits with his or her personal interests and gifts, and individuals will serve in an intern-type capacity to engage and gain practical, hands-on experience. Each month through May 2021, the cohort will gather for a day of discipleship training and community building.
Internship options include full-time, part-time, and flexible schedule opportunities. Internships could include serving in Baltimore, Lancaster, and New York City. Specific internships will be arranged based on each individual's interests, gifts, and availability.
Houser's role as the discipleship coach is to give overall leadership to EMM's short-term mission and discipleship programs and implement strategies and programs for youth and young adult discipleship and mobilization into missions.
Houser has served with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in various capacities since 1995. Most recently, he and his family served as associated EMM workers in Thailand for nine years, while serving primarily with YWAM. Prior to serving in Thailand, he and his wife, Summer, served in India for 10 years.
Dave is a certified mission coach, a credential he received through Coaching Mission International. He also completed five programs of study with YWAM's University of the Nations, which is an international university with more than 600 locations. His coursework has included discipleship training, ministry development, frontier missions, intercessory prayer, and leadership development.
Dave and Summer have three children: Kate, 12; Serah, 10; and Ethan, 5. They live in Lancaster and attend Willow Street Mennonite Church.
Readers may learn more about Advance and register at http://www.emm.org/advance.
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