At Mandan United Methodist Church, joyful service isn’t confined to one program or one place. It is a way of life—woven into relationships with local children and schools, and stretching outward into a growing spirit of global mission from Mandan, North Dakota.

Lisa Rhodes, Director of Family Ministries, Mandan UMC (photo from Mandan UMC)

For more than 25 years, that spirit has been lived out every week through Wonderful Wednesday, an after-school ministry that has become a cornerstone of connection in the community. Led by Director of Family Ministries Lisa Rhodes, who has served the congregation for over two decades, the program welcomes children from kindergarten through fifth grade—many of whom are not otherwise connected to the church.

Each Wednesday afternoon, a network of dedicated volunteers picks up children from five elementary schools across Mandan. Some drive; others walk to nearby schools and escort students back to the church. What awaits them is simple but powerful: snacks, games, crafts, learning, and a place where they are known and loved.

“We just have a great time learning about Jesus,” Rhodes shared. “Some of the children have never heard the Jesus stories before. So to tell those stories for the first time and see the wonder of that is the hugest blessing.”

Wonderful Wednesday creates a space where faith is introduced in accessible, relational ways. Friendships often serve as the bridge—kids inviting other kids, or families discovering the program through Vacation Bible School or youth events. One recent example began with a teenager attending a Friday gathering. Soon, his younger sibling wanted to be part of something too.

“His little brother was jealous, so his mother contacted me and said, ‘Do you have anything for his age?’ So he's been coming and has just been delightful,” shared Rhodes.

The program creates a sense of welcome and family for more than just the little kids. Some of the teens who attend the evening youth group arrive right after school, and Rhodes and other helpers have created a space for them to feel included.

“The teens join us for a snack, and then they have supervised time where they can get help with homework or practice their instruments or whatever they need,” explained Rhodes. “A couple of them will wander in to help with our crafts, which are usually messy.” The evening continues with a shared meal open to families, followed by youth group for middle and high school students.

Youth from Mandan UMC help with VBS on mission trip (photo from Mandan UMC)

That support often extends beyond the church walls. Mandan UMC has built a meaningful partnership with a nearby elementary school, providing snacks for students in need as well as contributing to the school’s food pantry, including even helping fund a refrigerator so milk can be provided. The church also looks for opportunities to show appreciation to teachers and staff by providing things like coffee and baked goods for parent-teacher conferences.

This kind of presence reflects a deep understanding of what many children and families face in the way of relational or economic challenges. In response, the church offers not only spiritual care but also practical support.

“We get to step in and say, ‘Hey, we can help with some of this,' – rent and electricity and those kinds of things – and be able to provide that for them as well as feeding them spiritually,” said Rhodes.

Volunteers find their own faith strengthened in the process. As one participant, Deb O., shared, “It has been my privilege to volunteer at our Wonderful Wednesday after-school outreach program. We have energetic kiddos, but it is so rewarding to see them grasp faith lessons—building blocks to help them grow. This reinforces my faith, too.”

Yet the story of Mandan UMC doesn’t stop at the local level. That same spirit of joyful service has begun to ripple outward in new and unexpected ways.

It started with a couple of youth who felt called to take a leap beyond their comfort zones by participating in an international mission trip. With guidance from church leaders and connections through their former pastor, Bruce Adams, they began planning a journey to Costa Rica to partner with a ministry called Hearts and Hands for Jesus.

What began as a spark among youth quickly grew into a congregation-wide movement. Parents, adults, and eventually Rhodes herself—who admitted the trip was far outside her comfort zone—joined the effort. After more than a year of planning, a team of five youth and five adults set out together.

Mission team from Mandan UMC (photo from Mandan UMC)

Their work in Costa Rica was shaped by the needs of the community and the gifts of the team. They led Vacation Bible School, helped with a soccer camp, conducted a first aid workshop with medical professionals in the group, and assisted with refurbishing doors. They also brought seven suitcases filled with school supplies, assembling nearly 200 school bags for local children.

Through it all, they witnessed faith in a new context.

“I believe that God was with us on this mission trip by guiding and working through us to help better both the church and the church community,” said Austin, one of the youth participants.

Abby, another youth, reflected on the deeper transformation: “When we were in Costa Rica, God showed me what it truly meant to let the Holy Spirit pour out of you; I learned what it means to care for, love, and support God’s people in a completely life-changing way. God has provided me with the passion and opportunity to continue this work.”

The experience left a lasting impression—not just on those who traveled, but on the entire congregation. Upon returning, the team shared their stories, igniting excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. The church raised $27,000 in a short time to support the mission trip, and new opportunities for engagement continue to emerge—including providing illustrated children’s Bibles for the partner community.

“It is beginning a wave of mission-mindedness in both our adults and our youth group kids,” said Rhodes. “We're asking, ‘How do we weave this mission-mindedness into the everyday life of our church family?’”

The experience is also likely to be the start of a life of mission for all who participated.

“They're ready to go back and eat rice and beans three times a day and work in the heat because they saw how knowing Jesus impacts people in their lives, and so that was amazing,” added Rhodes. “They're ready to go anywhere!

From after-school programs in Mandan to mission work in Costa Rica, Mandan UMC is discovering that serving joyfully doesn’t just look like one thing or one place. It simply begins with a willingness to respond: to a young person’s curiosity, a community’s need, or a nudge from the Spirit.

Their story is a reminder to every congregation: meaningful ministry doesn’t require perfect conditions—just open hearts, faithful presence, and the courage to say yes.

As Rhodes summed it up, “Let's see what happens when we go to other places – how Jesus is already working and how we can be the hands and feet wherever we get sent.”

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Interested in helping your church be in mission beyond the walls of your church? You’re invited to take part in Leader Training provided by United Methodist Volunteers In Mission. This training is offered via Zoom over four weeks, two hours each week:

Mondays, April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 2026
6-8 pm Central, 5-8 pm Mountain

This is a valuable resource for anyone preparing to serve around the corner or around the world. Topics include all aspects of preparing for the mission before, during, and after the journey – mission theology, finding a project, budgeting, recruiting, safety, cultural
awareness, and more. Participating in the training does not obligate you to lead a team, but it will help you understand the fundamentals of team leadership and will enrich any future Mission experiences.  

Register for the UMVIM Leader Training here