Called to Glorify

I was first called to international missions when I was 11 years old. My church at the time was having their missions week, and I found myself drawn to the IMB missions booth. I was overwhelmed when I heard of the billions of people who have never heard about Jesus, and I knew I wanted desperately to tell them. 

One of the pastors of our church noticed my lingering and approached me saying “So, you’re going with us on a mission trip to New Orleans, right?” It wasn’t overseas, but I jumped at the opportunity. He saw something in me that I didn’t. From there, I went on several mission trips across the states, yet I still longed to go overseas to the unreached. I was determined to be a full-time international missionary when I grew up. 

At 17, I was finally able to go to Spain with my church… and it was the worst trip EVER! I was overwhelmed, sick, and I told God right then: “God, I am NOT called to international missions. I’ll just stick to ministry in the states.” 

And that was it. 

I changed my plans and started a journey to become a clinical counselor here in America. After a while, I forgot completely about missions. I wandered; I ran from God. In His grace He brought me back again, and one day I found myself on School to the Nations campus with my small group… and the whisper of the call to international missions resounded in my heart. 

Two years later, I surrendered to it. 

Now, I am serving full time through School to the Nations as the Ministry Partnering Director, actively working to get the gospel to unreached people around the world. I’ve been given the opportunity to travel to many countries and encounter people of various cultures, languages, and religions. I am amazed at the grace God has shown me, the places He has brought me, and I wonder if He laughed a bit when I told Him at 17 years old that I wasn’t called to international missions, knowing where I’d be now.

As I look back over my life and all the things God did to bring me here, I have learned that God has a call for every person. He designed us for a purpose: to bring glory to Him! And He has given us each gifts, passions, and a calling to fulfill that purpose. It may be teaching, business, research, filmmaking, I.T., being a stay-at-home mom, a pastor, or anything in-between! Whatever He has called you to, He will equip you to do it. And if you’ve run from Him or from His call, don’t worry… He has abundant grace for all of us. 

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.