The ministries of Disciples Home Missions touch lives and transform congregations every day across the United States and Canada. A possible response to this bold statement might be, "Disciples Home Missions? We receive a newsletter every so often, but that's about it." Really?

• As the Rev. Maggie Sebastian went through the process to answer a call to serve as pastor of First Christian Church, Wheeling, W.Va., DHM was beside her all the way. Through DHM's Office of Search and Call, staff helped guide her, offering her advice, answering her questions, and even offering pastoral care as she navigated the process.
  
  "Search and Call made my process a positive, affirming experience. I feel that I truly found my call and home in Wheeling," said Sebastian.
  
  
• Katherine Raley made her connection with DHM through the Office of Disciples Volunteering. As a young adult, looking for an "opportunity to meet, learn about, and love people who I wouldn't normally see in my home state of South Carolina," Raley applied and was offered an internship, which she completed at Yakama Christian Mission, White Swan, Wash. And did she ever meet people, an experience that she'll carry with her through her church life. DHM staff helped make that possible.
  
  
• First Christian Church, Radford, Va., had not conducted a Laity Sunday service for several years. But this year was different. When elder Lucinda M. McDaniel told her pastor, the Rev. Dr. Gina T. Rhea, that they would hold a Laity service this year, Dr. Rhea suggested that McDaniel go to the DHM Web site and look at what resources were available. And did she find resources!
  
  "The materials I found were an excellent resource for the professional and layperson alike. The materials will be very helpful as we plan and organize our service. DHM provides a wealth of information to assist local congregations as they seek to serve and glorify God," said McDaniel. "First Christian Church, Radford, is grateful to DHM and all that is done for local congregations."
  
  
• Since becoming part of DHM's offerings for congregations, Children Worship & Wonder has grown in 10 years from a handful of trainings annually to several each month around the country. "What I love about Children Worshp & Wonder (CWW) is how it respects the relationship children already have with God," said Susan Bowser, member of Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis and CWW trainer. "Children Worship & Wonder truly inspires, teaches, and deepens one's faith!"
  
  
• For many congregations, including Jeffersontown Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., transformation happens through resettling refugees. DHM staff connects refugees to congregations every day as congregation members band together, collecting items that the family will need, and preparing housing to ease the transition of new arrivals.
  "The joys we have experienced have always far outweighed the time and money we've invested in refugee resettlement … we have truly been blessed," said Lorraine Steele, lay leader.
  
  
• Through Woman-To-Woman Worldwide, DHM's office of Disciples Women has coordinated travel experiences for women in the church. Without exception, these experiences have been life-changing, including for Lyn Williams, First Christian Church, Lubbock, Texas, as she reflected on her experience in Bosnia.
  
  "As I have thought and read and prayed and talked and shared and thought some more I cannot help but feel such a deep and grateful blessing this journey has been. … We as Americans are so sheltered and pampered that seeing a small part of the rest of the whole and what is really happening is critical to my development as a child of God. My faith has been greatly deepened."
  
  
• The General Youth Council (GYC), facilitated by DHM staff, is regarded as a proving ground for aspiring Disciples leaders. Charisse Knorr, member of First Christian, Maryville, Mo., and GYC moderator, said, "Since I have been on the General Youth Council, I have had the chance to work with hundreds of other youth from around the country. I can't wait for [International Christian Youth Fellowship] this summer to meet other kids and grow even further in my faith."
  
  
• In a rural area southeast of Roanoke, Va., members of Gretna Christian Church took the Bethany Village Live! curriculum and modified it to conduct a "backyard Bible club" for the six children in their congregation.
  
  "The experience was very enjoyable for them. Especially enjoyed was the Five Finger exercise using the Word, water and communion," said the Rev. Dwight Mays. "We would probably do it again!"
  
  Incidentally, Bethany Village Live! is one of the most popular resources downloaded from the DHM Web site.

Whoever you are in your congregation, from laity to leadership to senior pastor, and whatever your age, from a small child to an older adult who has attended a particular congregation since childhood, DHM has been and is there for congregations, equipping disciples for Christ and connecting people to the life changing love of God. Now that's transformation!

Angela Herrmann is director of Web site development at Disciples Home Missions, and is an Indiana native and member of Central Christian Church, Indianapolis.