What Mission Adelante does

Mission Adelante is a non-profit evangelical ministry and church organization founded in 2005 and headquartered at 22 S. 18th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. It serves immigrant and refugee populations — primarily Latino, Bhutanese, Nepali, and Burmese (Chin, Karen, Kareni) communities — through a portfolio of free, relationship-based programs including children's ministry (Kids Adelante, ages 5-12), a year-long Leaders-In-Training program, Adelante Youth Club, Adelante Arts Community, adult ESL classes, USCIS citizenship test preparation, refugee kids and youth clubs, and a Spanish-speaking church community with house-church networks. Programs operate on a 12-week trimester cadence with heavy reliance on volunteer mentors, conversation partners, and ministry apprentices.

The organization's underlying technology is minimal: it relies on CCB Church church management software, online volunteer signup forms, and standard content/blog/social channels rather than any proprietary platform. Its business model is donation- and contribution-driven — voluntary tithes and donations fund operations, an annual Infinity Campaign supports leadership development (with a stated $75,000 goal), and Adelante Thrift, a wholly-owned social-enterprise thrift store now operating both as a physical neighborhood storefront and an online e-commerce platform, generates supplemental earned income that flows back into the ministry. All programs are free to participants.

Mission Adelante is led by Founder/Pastor/Executive Director Jarrett Meek (co-founder with Kristen Meek) and a lean leadership team that includes Associate Director Patrique Harris (promoted June 2026), Operations Director Shannon Hernandez, Children's Ministry Director Carla Flores, ESL Director Gissell Vasquez, Adult Ministry Director Elaine Reimers, and Partner Engagement Director Carla Garcia. Headcount is reported at 501–1,000, which almost certainly reflects the large volunteer and apprentice base rather than paid FTE. The organization has cultivated strategic alliances with the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), the Evangelical Immigration Table, the ERLC, and the National Christian Foundation, and aligns with the broader evangelical Christian community development movement.

Name

Mission Adelante

Legal name

Mission Adelante

Website

https://missionadelante.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Mission Adelante is a non-profit evangelical ministry founded in 2005 in Kansas City, Kansas, serving Latino and refugee (Bhutanese, Nepali, Burmese) communities through free ESL, citizenship prep, children's, youth, and arts programs funded by donations and proceeds from its social-enterprise thrift store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Community and Immigrant Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Immigrant and refugee ministry
• ESL and citizenship education
• Youth leadership development
• Multicultural church community
• Community thrift social enterprise

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tithes: Voluntary financial contributions from church members, supporters, and the broader community to fund ministry operations and programs
2. Adelante Thrift Store Proceeds: Sustainable community development project - thrift store generates proceeds that support the ministry of Mission Adelante. Now available both in-store and online.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mission Adelante operates a portfolio of free, in-person Christian ministry programs for immigrants and refugees in Kansas City, KS, including children's outreach (Kids Adelante), youth leadership development (Leaders-In-Training, Adelante Youth Club, Leadership Training Project, Summer Youth Internship), adult education (Latino ESL Classes, Citizenship Classes), refugee-focused programs (Refugee Kids Club, Refugee Youth Club), and a Spanish-speaking church community with house churches. The Adelante Thrift social enterprise (in-store and online) generates proceeds that subsidize the ministry.

Product overview

Mission Adelante is a Christian ministry organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs serving immigrants and refugees in Kansas City, Kansas. The core offerings include Kids Adelante (children's ministry ages 5-12), Leaders-In-Training (year-long youth leadership program), Adelante Arts Community (creative arts), Adelante Youth Club (teen ministry), Leadership Training Project, and Summer Youth Internship (youth development programs). Adult services include Latino ESL Classes and Citizenship Classes for English language learning and US citizenship preparation. Adelante Thrift is a social enterprise thrift store that generates revenue for the ministry and is now available online. The organization also operates a Spanish-speaking Church Community and various refugee-focused programs including Refugee Kids Club and Refugee Youth Club. The programs work together to fulfill the mission of making disciples and developing leaders from multicultural backgrounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adelante Thrift: Neighborhood thrift store that provides shopping experience, creates jobs, and generates proceeds supporting the ministry of Mission Adelante. Now available online.
• Adelante Youth Club
• Kids Adelante
• Leaders In Training (LIT)
• Adelante Arts Community

Products and services

• Kids Adelante Children's ministry program for kids ages 5-12 that introduces them to Jesus in a relational environment through games, songs, and age-appropriate small group lessons; meets Thursday evenings. Designed for children of immigrant and refugee families in the Kansas City, KS neighborhood.
• Adelante Youth Club Dynamic youth fellowship program for teens providing a safe space, homework help, and Jesus-centered activities through mentoring and life-on-life disciple-making; meets Wednesday evenings. Designed for teens from multicultural backgrounds in the Kansas City, KS community.
• Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Year-long after-school enrichment and discipling program selecting up to 21 standout kids annually, focused on academics, spiritual and character development, leadership, and creative exploration. Designed for high-potential youth from the immigrant and refugee community.
• Leadership Training Project (LTP) Mentoring and leadership development program for eager youth that runs throughout the school year, including life-skills workshops, enrichment field trips, mentoring, and practical service. Designed for high-school-age youth in the community.
• Summer Youth Internship Intensive two-month ministry internship where selected youth participate in group devotionals, workshops, exposure trips, retreats, and help lead programming for kids and youth. Designed for developing young leaders in the community.
• Adelante Arts Community Creative program providing opportunities for kids to develop skills in music, dance, and other arts through group sessions with songs and devotionals followed by interest-based classes. Designed for children in the Kansas City, KS immigrant community.
• Latino ESL Classes Adult English program for Spanish speakers offered at multiple levels with an emphasis on verbal practice through volunteer conversation partners; runs on Thursday nights over 12-week trimesters. Designed for adult Latino immigrants seeking English proficiency.
• Citizenship Class Classes preparing eligible individuals for the USCIS citizenship interview and exam, offered at Beginner/Intermediate and Advanced levels with emphasis on English proficiency and test preparation. Designed for adult immigrants eligible for naturalization.
• Church Community (Latino Church and House Churches) Spanish-speaking church community meeting on Sunday evenings for worship services and during the week for community groups, including a network of house churches for intimate fellowship and discipleship. Designed for Spanish-speaking immigrants and the broader multicultural community.
• Refugee Kids Club Outreach program for refugee children providing mentorship, Bible study, and support services for refugee youth and their families. Designed for refugee children (Bhutanese, Nepali, Chin, Karen, and other refugee communities) in Kansas City, KS.
• Refugee Youth Club Youth program serving refugee teens with Bible study, mentorship, and community building activities. Designed for refugee teens from Bhutanese, Nepali, Burmese, and similar communities.
• Adelante Thrift Neighborhood thrift store available both in-store and online, selling clothing, housewares, and everyday finds. Provides a shopping experience, creates local jobs, and generates proceeds that support the ministry of Mission Adelante.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple program participants have become staff members and community leaders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered significant, core and supporting.

• Christ Community ChurchsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerChrist Community Church provided a $2,000 donation for Arts Camp 2025 and church members volunteered to lead classes and build relationships with kids. Demonstrates church-to-church partnership supporting shared ministry goals.
• Toolbox: Small Business Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall Business Resource Center partnered with Mission Adelante as part of the neighborhood tour and ministry overview, supporting entrepreneurship and economic development within the immigrant community.
• Evangelical Immigration TablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission Adelante endorses the Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform set forth by the Evangelical Immigration Table, a coalition of evangelical leaders advocating for immigration reform.
• ERLC (Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2018, Mission Adelante adopted the ERLC's position on Dreamers, supporting legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.
• Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission Adelante regularly participates in CCDA National Conferences and is aligned with CCDA principles of Christian community development. Staff and immigrant leaders attend conferences for networking and training.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City: Regional social services agency in Kansas City offering refugee case management, ESL, citizenship preparation, and youth programs. Local competitor and complementary referral partner for shared beneficiary pool.
• Della Lamb Center: Kansas City-based nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, ESL, citizenship, and youth services to immigrants in the same metro. Direct local-market peer operating with similar program mix.

Others

• National Christian Foundation: Christian grantmaking entity already aligned with Mission Adelante (Passion Awards). Functions as a funding conduit rather than direct service peer, but a critical ecosystem enabler for the ministry's capital pipeline.
• Christian Community Development Association (CCDA): Membership association of Christian community development practitioners Mission Adelante actively engages with via annual conferences. Peer-adjacent trade body rather than a competing service provider.

Direct peers

• World Relief: National evangelical Christian organization providing refugee resettlement, ESL, and citizenship services through local offices. Most direct U.S. peer to Mission Adelante given shared faith-based DNA and refugee/immigrant service mix.
• Church World Service: Faith-based resettlement agency with nationwide affiliate network running ESL, citizenship, and refugee youth programs. Closely comparable to Mission Adelante's ESL + citizenship + youth ministry stack.
• HIAS: Jewish faith-based refugee resettlement agency providing case management, ESL, citizenship, and integration services across U.S. sites. Directly comparable faith-rooted refugee/immigrant service model.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee: Global humanitarian organization running U.S. refugee resettlement programs including ESL, employment, and youth services in many cities. Broad incumbent serving the same beneficiary population as Mission Adelante.
• Catholic Charities USA: Large national network of diocesan agencies delivering refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, ESL, and social services. Overlaps Mission Adelante's service portfolio but at much larger scale and broader scope.

Emerging players

• Refuge Coffee Co. Social enterprise employing refugees through retail and online sales, generating proceeds for community development. Highly comparable to Mission Adelante's Adelante Thrift model of earned-income funding refugee programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/missionadelante
• Xx.com/missionadelante
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mission-adelante-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mission Adelante