Meet 2020 RIM Resident, Annie Kate
WME is excited to build on our successful launch of The Residency in Mission (RIM). Annie Kate Leinius will serve as the 2020 Resident in Mission in New Zealand. She joins Eliza Edge (2019-2020 RIM), who began her service in New Zealand in August. Annie Kate is working now to build financial and prayer support for her Residency. In addition, she is working with WME staff to gain important skills and training as she prepares for RIM and further lifelong ministry. We invite you to meet Annie Kate, by hearing more of her own story:
In just a few months, I will be leaving home and traveling alone to New Zealand to serve as the 2020 Resident in Mission (RIM) for World Methodist Evangelism. I will leave behind everything and everyone that is familiar to me, but I have no doubt that this is where I should be heading. My faith in God has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up attending the United Methodist Church, participating in children’s and youth programs, and many summer camps, retreats, events, and mission trips. Several years ago, I felt a calling to the ministry, but I wasn’t exactly sure what type of ministry path I should follow. During the past four years, while attending Emory and Henry College, located in Emory, Virginia, I prayed a lot about what my next step should be. I have considered going to seminary and becoming an ordained pastor or chaplain. I am also interested in helping specific groups of people, like children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. I had never really pursued doing ministry work outside of the United States, until last January, when my pastor sent me an announcement about the RIM program. After completing the application process, I started to realize that the RIM program and the opportunity to serve in New Zealand was very clearly an answer to my prayers. I believe that God led me to this opportunity so that I can share my faith with others. I realize that New Zealand is known for being an amazingly beautiful country. I have seen pictures and documentaries highlighting the diverse natural beauty of the mountains, beaches, and rolling hills. However, I have also learned that there are some very significant concerns within this population. At least 42% of New Zealand’s residents claim to have no religion, and secularism is rising fast. If this trend continues, Christianity might even be at risk of dissolving in New Zealand in the future. For that reason, I think it is extremely important to spread the Word of God and share my faith in this beautiful and far-away country. Through the RIM program, World Methodist Evangelism is providing me an amazing opportunity to try to make a difference in some small way. When I return home to Tennessee next August, I think that I will have learned so much more about the world around me, and I think I will have a better understanding of how I can best answer my calling to serve my Lord and Savior.
RIM is an immersive mission and evangelism experience designed for young adults who are called to serve beyond their home country in partnership with ministries in the Methodist Wesleyan family. RIM is a 9-12 month commitment that includes guided mentorship from mission and evangelism leadership experts. RIM also provides opportunities for host ministries to strengthen the work in their local contexts, while offering Residents an environment in which to grow in their ministry service. Each ministry context has been carefully vetted to provide safe surroundings with well-established support systems.
Learn more about RIM and support Annie Kate by visiting www.ResidencyInMission.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]