Hello! My name is Shelby Riedman. I enjoy nature, finding new ways to be creative, and spreading kindness whenever possible. I have always been excited to help spread God’s love through acts of service and by meeting new people. When I was younger, I was granted opportunities to experience service in different ways which is what drew me to the YAGM program. I have found joy, a true desire to learn about new cultures, and expand my perspective throughout other mission type trips. I like that the YAGM program uses the model of accompaniment to walk beside and learn from your host community while sharing with them your time in the way that community needs. You get to explore what it truly means to all be children of God and global citizens. I look forward to what this next year has in store and welcome the opportunity to continue to grow spiritually and mentally through this program while also expanding my cultural knowledge. Throughout this discernment process, I have been blessed with support and encouragement from family, friends, and my home congregation.

I am very excited to have been accepted to the 2022-23 ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. Along with 30 plus other volunteers, we will be partnered with four different country programs. We will have the opportunity to learn and grow in our communities with God throughout the year. I have already been placed in the United Kingdom (which I am very excited to experience!) and will be partnering with Time for God in the UK this fall. This year, we have been asked to raise at least $5,000 out of the $15,000 that is needed to support our year, the ELCA has committed to offsetting the difference.  My hope is to raise $7,000 to help with my own year and support the future of the YAGM program. With your donation and support, you become part of my YAGM experience on accompaniment. Throughout the year I will be sending out updates via email and on a blog, so I can share my journey with others. If you would like to follow along my blog can be found at: https://shelbyriedman.wixsite.com/stwig

Thank you for helping me reach my financial goal and thank you for ongoing support and prayers as I move through this journey with God.

This page is set up to receive donations from individuals only. If you’re giving on behalf of a congregation or other organization, please visit ELCA.org/YAGMgive or  give via check.  Supporters can make a check payable to “ELCA Global Mission” with “YAGM GCS2098” in the memo line. They can either give through their synod office or mail the check to: ELCA Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009.

About Young Adults in Global Mission

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program provides young adults, ages 21-29, the opportunity to grow in their faith and work in partnership with our global companions. Young adults in the program serve in churches, schools, and social service ministries. Currently the program is engaged in work in Argentina and Uruguay, Australia, Central Europe (Hungry and Serbia), Jerusalem and the West Bank, Madagascar, Mexico, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, and the United Kingdom.

The total cost for one young adult in the program is $15,000. Each young adult is tasked with raising a minimum of $5,000 to help support their year of service. The ELCA commits to raising the additional $10,000 per volunteer through generous congregations and individual donors. If more than $5,000 in gifts is received, the additional funds will help support other young adult volunteers and the future of the Young Adults in Global Mission program.