Read part 1 of My Unexpected Story of Becoming a Missionary
The Orientation
“We need to know what to do next!” Our pastor kept telling us, “Go to Launch.”
Now what? We had no idea how to make this huge shift in our lives. God blessed us with a knowledgeable and passionate missions pastor, who connected us to Team Expansion. Jack and I kept telling our pastor, “We need to know what to do next!” Our pastor kept telling us, “Go to Launch.”
We’re so thankful we listened.
After experiencing the two-week training, the best way I can describe Launch is a mixture of a job orientation and a job interview, with a lot of spiritual growth sprinkled in. Because my life is heading in a completely new direction, I have thousands of questions that circle my head daily. I cannot say that Launch answered every single one of those questions; I’m not sure it answered as many questions as it inspired new ones. However, Launch provided me with avenues for getting those questions answered.
We arrived at Launch with a strong confidence in our calling mixed with trepidation at the weightiness of our decision, and we left with relationships that would guide us through the next two years of our journey. I arrived feeling unworthy to serve with the title of missionary, and I left still feeling unworthy, yet I have the understanding that no one ever feels worthy to do the work of God; that’s why we have grace. I arrived with fears and doubts undergirding every thought, and I left with a peace that eventually, with time and prayer, Jesus would replace each of those fears with a complete reliance on him.
The Support
During those two weeks, we met so many people. We heard from security personnel, the financial department, the communications team, the MK (missionary kids) director, and even the IT department. We learned what Team Expansion stands for, and we were given the opportunity to determine whether their values matched ours. We learned how to raise prayer partners, and we also learned how to pack to move overseas.
We met other candidates, all on a path towards becoming a missionary. My heart was so full to see a room full of people sold out to Jesus, willing to take a risk and make the name of Jesus known around the world. We shared our story so many times, including in a formal presentation where I finally clarified the what and the who and the why of my calling.
“My heart was so full to see a room full of people sold out to Jesus, willing to take a risk and make the name of Jesus known around the world.”
During those two weeks, I experienced every range of emotion, from the thought that I had made a terrible mistake, that God couldn’t use me, to an absolute elation that God would give me the opportunity to serve Him in such a colossal way. The rollercoaster of emotions ended in an overwhelming feeling of peace, that God was holding me and my family in His hands, and that He would use Team Expansion to support me each step of the way.
The Next Step
I wish I could say that I now have no fears, that I am eagerly anticipating my departure date. At this point, I am still terrified by this change. Every day, I must remind myself that God would not call me to do something that I could not do (with Him). I recount each step forward I’ve taken in this journey of becoming a missionary thus far.
Most days, I feel like Peter walking on water, like I’m trying to step out in faith, but I keep sinking. I hear Jesus telling me to come to Him, yet I find myself sinking and crying out for Him to save me. Each time my fears surface, I hear Jesus ask me, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 31, CSB). Like Peter, I see what God has done in my life over the past year, but I still don’t always step out in faith.
Each time I’ve doubted, God has provided. When I haven’t known what step to take next, God has provided in the form of Team Expansion. Each time I feel that I can’t take the next step, God has put someone in my life to encourage me. My prayer now is one of placing confidence and trust in the Lord: “You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures” (Psalms 16: 11, CSB).
Even when my fear of change paralyzes me, God puts His hand on me and helps me take that next step.
Your Next Step
I have a feeling I’m not the only American-Dream-Living Sunday-Christian whose heart has been tapped by the Holy Spirit. It would have been so easy to brush away this calling of becoming a missionary. Many times, we almost did.
If you’re reading this because you think God might have called you too, I’d say, take one step. Even that might feel like a leap, I know it often has for me, but you won’t regret it. Here are some first steps you might consider:
- Take a day (or a few) for intentional prayer and fasting.
- Talk with your pastor or missions pastor.
- Fill out a Team Expansion Profile and start a conversation.
- Attend Launch Training at Team Expansion.
The support from Team Expansion has been so amazing, many of the home office workers have been on the field for decades and they all have a genuine passion for what they do. If you need wisdom or advice, they certainly have it.
There are three billion people waiting to hear the Gospel, if there’s a chance you could give that gift to even one person, they would be eternally grateful.
