Building Hope: A 75th Anniversary Celebration of Service

You are responsible to book and pay for your hotel room. There is no room block or group rate. Hotel rates offered are based on market value, are subject to change, and do not include taxes/fees.

These hotels provide free shuttle service between the airport and hotel. MDS will offer shuttle service to Ridgepoint Church from these hotels.

DOUBLETREE HOTEL AT WICHITA AIRPORT

2098 S Airport Rd / 316-945-5272
$122 retail rate per night before taxes
12 min drive to Ridgepoint Church
Breakfast available at hotel for $20 per person

HAMPTON INN HOTEL AT WICHITA AIRPORT

7230 W Harry St / 316-942-2000
$132 retail rate per night before taxes
11 min drive to Ridgepoint Church
Free hot breakfast

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL AT WICHITA AIRPORT

1236 S Dugan Rd / 316-522-0008
$116-$130 retail rate per night before taxes
10 min drive to Ridgepoint Church
Free breakfast included

COMFORT SUITES AT WICHITA AIRPORT

7515 W Taft St / 316-733-1700
$95-$115 retail rate per night before taxes
10 min drive to Ridgepoint Church
Free breakfast included

HAWTHORN EXTENDED STAY BY WYNDHAM WICHITA AIRPORT

5500 Kellogg Dr / 833-577-3079
$90-110 retail rate per night before taxes
11 min drive to Ridgepoint Church
Free breakfast included

NOTE: You may also choose to book a room at another hotel of your choice.

CAPACITY BUILDING: GROWING THE MDS NETWORK
FRIDAY – 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 2:45PM

The breadth and depth of the MDS network is well known to many of us. But is there more? This interactive workshop explores familiar and not-so-familiar practices and opportunities for growing volunteer capacity.

INSTILLING SERVICE AND COMPASSION IN YOUTH
FRIDAY – 10:00AM

A panel of leaders for children and youth will share from their experience ways to teach about service, compassion, and loving your neighbor in the context of disaster response and mitigation.

EVENT PLANNING
FRIDAY – 1:00PM

This is an interactive workshop where participants will learn best practices to coordinate engaging MDS events that guests will be excited to attend!

PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
FRIDAY – 2:45PM

A panel conversation with business leaders whose companies are involved with MDS in various ways. Hear how and why they decided to partner with MDS. Learn ways to build connections with local businesses.

HOUSE BUILD
FRIDAY – 10:00AM–4:30PM (2-hour time slots)
SATURDAY – 10:15AM–5:00PM (2-hour time slots)

MDS will begin a house build indoors at the 4-H Hall (7001 W 21st St N) near Ridgepoint Church. Once completed, the house will be transported to a homeowner in need. Registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited.

STORM REUNIONS
SATURDAY – 10:15AM

Join us for a heartfelt reunion with fellow MDS volunteers. Reconnect and share memories over light refreshments.

MENDED, A NEW MDS CHILDREN’S STORYBOOK
SATURDAY – 10:15AM

Meet the author and illustrator of a delightful new MDS storybook about Tyler and his stuffed bear Leroy. Hear a first reading, get your copy and enjoy children’s activities.

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY – 1:00PM

Discover how to use cornhole as a fun way to introduce people to MDS! Afterward, enjoy participating in a cornhole tournament. The format will be based on the number of participants. Registration is required—sign up as a single player or as a team of two.

MDS STORYTELLING OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY – 1:00PM

Hear from a variety of talented storytellers about the many memories made over MDS’s 75-year history.

SEWING CIRCLE
SATURDAY – 1:00PM

Sewing groups and individuals across Canada and the U.S. are invited to join the MDS International Sewing Bee.Come in person or from your hometown via Zoom to learn how you can spread the word about MDS with your sewing group. Then spend the afternoon sewing wall hangings or creating prayer shawls for MDS clients. We can’t wait to see what you create!

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY – 5:00PM

Enjoy a game of volleyball and learn about MDS! We especially encourage youth groups to participate—though all ages are invited to play. The tournament format will be determined by the number of participants. Registration is required—sign up as a single player or as a team.

Kansas is a region where Mennonites settled in four central counties starting around 1874. Our tours offer an immersive experience in the area’s history, agriculture, terrain, and culture.

• Each tour features a local Mennonite historian who will share insights into the area’s history and Mennonites.

• We’ll travel in Standard Motorcoaches with on-board restrooms.

• Box lunches will be provided and eaten on the bus while en route. Please bring your own water bottle.

• Tour payments are due upon check-in at the Ridgepoint Church welcome table.

• Each tour accommodates up to 50 people on a first-come basis. If a tour exceeds capacity or does not reach at least 30 participants, you will be notified.

Questions? Contact Glen Ediger at 316-288-1066 or Karen Ediger at 316-288-0054.

HISTORIC HOMES / SPACE MUSEUM TOUR
THURSDAY – 9AM–4PM

The day includes a visit to Newton to explore the 1886 Victorian home of Bernhard and Wilhelmina Warkentin, a significant Mennonite miller/entrepreneur who spurred Kansas to become the Breadbasket of America. A box lunch from The Breadbasket will be served as the group travels through Hesston, Dutch Avenue, and Buhler to Hutchinson. An all access pass to the Cosmosphere, a space museum of artifacts and replicas, also gives the option to explore the Kansas sky in the planetarium, and watch science documentaries in their digital dome theatre.

COST: $60 per person. Lunch included.
TRAVEL DISTANCE: 130 miles
Departs Ridgepoint Church at 9am, returns by 4pm
Visit cosmo.org for more information.

MENNONITE HERITAGE AND AG MUSEUM / MDS CABINET SHOP TOUR
FRIDAY – 12PM–4:30PM

The afternoon begins with a box lunch during the drive to Goessel, where you’ll visit the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum. Explore the recreated Immigrant House with its living space, view exhibits of family artifacts, a display on Doc Schmidt (a medical missionary to Paraguay), and learn about the Turkey Red Wheat Palace, which showcases equipment used to develop Kansas’ wheat industry. The tour continues with a visit to the nearby MDS Cabinet Shop and Warehouse for an informative tour.

COST: $30 per person. Lunch included.
TRAVEL DISTANCE: 100 miles
Departs Ridgepoint Church at 12pm, returns by 4:30 pm
Visit goesselmuseum.com for more information.

KAUFFMAN MUSEUM / MDS CABINET SHOP TOUR
FRIDAY – 12PM–4:30PM
SATURDAY – 12PM–4:30PM

The tour begins with a box lunch on the drive to North Newton and the Kauffman Museum, located on the Bethel College campus. The museum offers a deep dive into the evolving story of Central Plains Mennonites, with exhibits such as Of Land and People, Mennonite Immigrant Furniture, Mirror of the Martyrs, prairie reconstruction, and a farmstead. Next, the tour will visit the MDS Cabinet Shop and Warehouse in Goessel for an informative tour.

COST: $30 per person. Lunch included.
TRAVEL DISTANCE: 100 miles
Departs Ridgepoint Church at 12pm, returns by 4:30pm
Visit kauffmanmuseum.org for more information.

MDS CABINET SHOP / CHURCH ROAD TOUR
SATURDAY – 12PM–4:30PM

The afternoon begins with a box lunch during the drive to Goessel, where you’ll visit the MDS Cabinet Shop and Warehouse for a detailed tour and information about their projects. Following this, enjoy a scenic country drive through Moundridge, with stops at West Zion Church, First Church Christian, Hopefeld (to read the monument), and Eden. The tour continues through Hesston, including views of Whitestone, the MDS office and warehouse, Hesston Mennonite Church, and Hesston College, before passing by a rural Pennsylvania Church cemetery.

COST: $25 per person. Lunch included.
TRAVEL DISTANCE: 120 miles
Departs Ridgepoint Church at 12pm, returns by 4:30pm