This article was published in the fall 2026 issue of The Vincentian, the quarterly newsletter of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province.
Erin Urhahn sees a hunger for service among young people
VMY SEMO Program Coordinator Erin Urhahn is at 21 an integral part of the organization’s staff and has served in the role for three years. With a bachelor’s degree in hand and a master’s in teaching in the works, the future middle school English teacher has a role in ministerial activities with the group, including retreats and events.
She says Operation Overhaul is her favorite. She coordinates the adult members and volunteers and is the primary contact with the homeowners.
“In the office, we call Operation Overhaul a little miracle,” she said. “We come to see the jobs, and we always leave with the perfect amount of work. The kids just come, and there are always enough volunteers to go with the kids who signed up. Things fall into place that shouldn’t.”
Erin sees mission work and evangelization as intrinsically connected.
“Everyone here wants to be a missionary,” she said. “Once you find Jesus and you have a relationship with him, you realize nothing else matters. You have to love people and sit with them and be with them, and that is what we are doing.”
Photo caption: VMY SEMO Program Coordinator Erin Urhahn speaks during the second night of Operation Overhaul in Springfield, Missouri.