Hello all! My name is Daniel Bensen, and with  great excitement I have accepted the opportunity to serve as a Young Adults in Global Mission volunteer in Mexico, starting in August. I will be one of more than 20 young adults serving on behalf of the ELCA in 5 different country programs around the world! 

A couple things about me: I am a recent graduate from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, where I double majored in Biology and Health Humanities During my time at PLU I studied abroad twice in Oaxaca, Mexico, where I had the great privilege of immersing myself in the Spanish language and all the wonderful artwork, culinary experiences, and history that their culture offers

I am originally from Denver, CO, so I love all things outdoors and in the mountains. I’m a total and complete nerd, and I love all things related to music, reading, and writing. I have also spent the last two summers on staff at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in Southern Colorado, where I have grown in community with members of the ELCA. 

I want this year to be about growing in faith and expanding my perspective to encompass all that Mexico and its people have to teach me. As someone aspiring to become a physician one day, I believe service and compassion are as critical to what I want to do as the technical sciences. I also believe that it is crucial to experience and hold the world for what it really is; both the beautiful things that other countries and cultures have to offer, as well as the hard realities of suffering and poverty. This is why I have decided to pursue a year of service in this program working in one of the many migrant shelters we partner with, so I can practice service in a meaningful context, and in a way that I can carry through into my next steps.

So with that being said, please support my call to serve as a volunteer for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program!

As part of accepting this call, I am asked to raise at least $8,000. Please help me reach my goal by supporting my fundraising efforts with a donation today. Through your donation, you join me on this journey as I grow in my own faith and walk in partnership with our global companions. I am thrilled to think about the ways in which this year will form and transform me.

Support me for one day, week or month!

A gift of $50 is all it takes to support my year of service! You can support me for one day for $50, one week for $350 or even a whole month for $1,500. The total cost for my year of service is $15,000 over about 10 months. I will be so grateful for your support in any amount. Thank you — your gift truly matters!

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 get in touch with me for information on how to give via check.

About Young Adults in Global Mission

The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program provides young adults, ages 21-35, 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), Mexico, Cambodia and the United Kingdom.

The total cost for one young adult in the program is $24,000. Each young adult is tasked with raising a minimum of $8,000 to help support their year of service. The ELCA commits to raising the additional $16,000 per volunteer through generous congregations and individual donors. If more than $8,000 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.