Have you wanted to get out from what’s known or comfortable - to experience new situations, perceptions, and ways of living?
Dig into Culture
Over the course of 9 months, Vanguards will dive into new cultures, observing and participating in the Great Commission at work in the world, while relating these experiences to personal mission. Our service within these contexts is seen as learning. We have intentionally chosen partners that allow us submit, learn, and join with relationally based, ongoing, locally lead ministries.
Over the course of these experiences, there will be pre, during, and post activities to help participants develop a context, be present within the culture, and unpack the experiences.
Pre-immersion work won’t revolve around do’s and don’ts or a list of logistics. Instead, group time will be focused on readings, simulations, reflective essays, observation, presentations and round table discussions that explore cultural issues of the context. This preparation is all in an effort to provide ingredients to form your response.
While present in the culture, we will focus on faith development: building an understanding for how God is honored in other cultures. Vanguards will be challenged to find peace within an unfamiliar context, experience Christian tradition that is theologically and culturally different from theirs, and encounter peace within the ambiguity of not being the dominant culture.
You’re not done once you return – there’s still the process of re-examining and debriefing your experience. To continue processing, Vanguards will explore unanswered questions, deal with the challenges of reentry, and reexamine beliefs, the church, and the meaning of “loving others” in light of the experience.
Four Distinct Cultural Experiences
Joining the HoneyRock community is a cultural experience in itself! The first couple weeks of the program will consist of a wilderness trip and an in-depth look at HoneyRock’s history and culture.
While HoneyRock is an incredible community, the greater Northwoods area offers many opportunities to learn and get plugged in as well. We encourage Vanguards to join in the local church and community ministry opportunities. November will provide a week-long opportunity to spend an intensive week digging into the economic, historical, and cultural demographics of the surrounding area.
Over the course of 14 days, Vanguards will engage in vocational exploration alongside national professionals. From 9am – 4pm every day, Vanguards join the same local leader, shadowing and partnering in the ongoing work. While living in country, Vanguards will participate in national traditions – learning by doing.
Often, it’s most challenging to stay within your country borders and realize incredible cultural differences. In Chicago, we will live and begin to learn inner city dynamics alongside residents.
