pg. 24 — lightandlifemagazine.com
urfm You are the church
congregation was Chinese. We’ve both been involved
with internationals in that way and find that a deeply
rewarding ministry.”
The classes are offered at different times to allow
options for participants’ schedules. The groups are led by
school teachers, retired teachers and other members of
Mattis Avenue.
“I have found it’s not hard to find people who are
willing to meet with internationals to practice English
conversation,” said Helen, who added that the classes
have included “one for beginning English, which was
particularly for Congolese immigrants who have turned
up in Champaign-Urbana and who are fluent in French
but mostly know very little English. We’ve had people
from China, Korea, Brazil, Iran and a variety of other
countries. ... I praise the Lord that Holly Yan Burns
Mattis Avenue’s assistant for international ministry has
been on our church staff now for years.”
The Kaufmanns and Mattis Avenue FMC also support
a Christian organization that is based in their community
— where it helps families pay their rent and get food,
clothing and health care — and has a research arm with
a national impact.
“Over 40 years ago, I helped found the Empty Tomb
ministries, and they have 10 local works,” said Milo,
who brought Empty Tomb’s leaders to the St. Louis CUE
conference. “They have produced 29 annual volumes,
which is the very best statistical analysis of church giving
in the United States.”
Helen participated two years ago in Greenville
University’s travel course, “Justice Ministry: The Gospel
and the Politics of Race.” She said, “That pilgrimage really
had an effect on me. Since that time, I’ve read a number
of books about Black-White relationships.”
Milo has written six books of poetry along with other
books of stories and literary scholarship.
“He’s never done. He always says, ‘Now I’m working on
my last book,’ and it’s never the last book,” Helen said.+
+ Milo leads a breakout session at CUE 2009.
/www.lightandlifemagazine.com
/connect#staff
/
/research.html
/beyond-the-books-helen-kaufmann-56-reaps-benefits-of-embodied-learning
/
/
/lightandlifemagazine.com