Student Missionary Testimonies
Talk about how you felt led to serve this summer. When did you make your decision? Was this something you were anxious to do and jumped at the chance, or were you a little reluctant to follow through with what you knew God was calling you to do?
Rachel - Summer, Elkhorn Baptist Association, Kentucky
“I started feeling led to serve this summer towards the end of last summer. When it was time to start school again in the fall I felt like I had accomplished nothing. Sure, I had made a little money working, but I felt like I could have made an impact somewhere else. Once school began God kept placing people who had served as summer missionaries in my life. They would talk to me about what they had done that summer and how they saw God move in their lives. This spurred me on to begin to look into options for this summer and places to serve. When I finally found a place I felt called to apply to I jumped at the chance.”
Emily - Summer, First Baptist Church, Burley, Idaho
“I have previously worked with the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists and enjoyed my stay in Canada very much. So I set out to find a short-term trip to Canada. I found one, but it was filled by the time my application was reviewed. I was contacted by a church in Idaho. Idaho! I have never been, and it was amazing because I was expecting it to be from Canada. I remember having summer missionaries in my home when I was little, and I thought it was so cool. This time around I am the one going, and I can't be more excited!”
Katy - Summer, Super Summer, Kansas
“I have attended Super Summer since I was a seventh grader. The thought of being a summer missionary always crossed my mind, but I never knew if it was really what the Lord wanted me to do. As I began my first year of college God really began to work in my heart. I felt that He has been calling me to a higher standard than I have ever set for myself: to strive to be more like Him in all that I do. When the thought of being a summer missionary arose, I prayed about it, and decided that I would apply, and the Lord would lead accordingly.”
Chloe - Sojourner, San Antonio Baptist Association, Texas
“Starting in January, I had been very unsure about this summer. I had my plans, and God had His. When making plans for this summer I didn’t think to consult God about them, I just assumed He would go along with whatever I decided, but was I wrong! Honestly, I didn’t know that I would be applying to the Sojourner program until about four days before I mailed out my form! It pretty much fell into my lap, and before I knew it I had embarked on an emotionally crazy journey! This was not my plan for the summer. It was God's, but now I am so excited about how God will work through me this summer I can't wait!”
Tabitha - Sojourner, Screven Baptist Association, South Carolina
“At first I was reluctant when I heard how long it was. This is my last summer at home, and I didn't want to spend it away from home, but I felt like, ‘Can I not give God only three months of my life? Is that too much to ask of me?’ I am certain now that this is what God wants me to do. I cannot think of any better way to spend my summer than by obeying God and telling people about Him.”
Lauren - Summer, DaySpring Villa, Oklahoma
“I have always been interested in missions, and for a long time I have thought about maybe doing summer missions at some point in my life. I had always put it off throughout my first years of college because I needed to do summer school, and I also worked in the summer to save money and help pay for school. This past year I felt God tugging on my heart and prompting me to apply for summer missions. I really wanted to, but at the same time I knew that if I did summer missions I wouldn't be able to work and therefore, I would be limited on funds for the fall semester. I continued to pray about doing missions, and I turned in my application. I also applied to a Christian camp in Texas and asked that God would clearly show me which to do for the summer. I first got accepted to missions, and it was clear that this is where God wanted me for the summer. At first I was a little reluctant, but God worked on my heart, and I became more excited about what experiences I could have while doing summer missions.”
Jaimee - Sojourner, Children’s Ministry Team, Maryland
“From the time I heard about the Sojourners program, I knew God had placed a stirring in my heart to participate, but I did not actually commit to being involved until almost a year later. First of all, it took some convincing to assure my parents I could be away from home for six weeks. The application process then took longer then expected. Throughout the journey though I had no doubt God had His hand in each step and was preparing me for an amazing summer.”
Carrie Ann - Summer, Florence Baptist Association, South Carolina
“I felt called into the ministry my freshman year of college while attending a worship service with my choir. I know that God has called me to serve Him with my life and in some aspect of ministry, but finding that perfect fit has been a struggle for the past two years. I sensed the Lord's nudging me to “Go” this summer by His small voice. I was very reluctant to follow through due to my parents concerns for me to make money. That seems to be the main priority for my parents and is being drilled into my head as top priority for me. Yet I know that God doesn’t want me to focus so much on that. He's got other plans, and I'm so excited about what His plan entails and where He is leading me in ministry.”
Melissa - Summer, Bethany Baptist Church, Wilmington, Delaware
“Since God called me into full-time missions, I have felt led to as many mission experiences as I could find. I served as a summer missionary last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am never happier than when I am serving God and spreading His love to people who do not know Him. I decided to do summer missions again. I was very excited and eager for this opportunity and jumped at the chance.”
Joshua - Summer, Columbia Basin Baptist Association, Northwest
“I was called to go in many different awesome ways. First, at our Baptist Student Union the leader was talking about his trip to Washington and that they need people this summer, and when I heard this, my heart jumped. I knew then God wanted me to go. Then I was praying about it for God to give me an answer, and He showed me Habakkuk 2:2-3. That says, ‘Wait, and I will tell you.’ Then He showed me Mark 1:38 which says, ‘Come, let us go to another place to preach for that is why I have come.’ I was reading that, and it spoke so powerfully to me, and I knew for a fact that this was what God wanted. Then all the doors were opened, and I walked through.”
Terra - Sojourner, Sierra Butte Baptist Association, California
“I have had a passion for serving God in the mission field since early high school. When I heard about the opportunity to serve this summer, I filled out my application as soon as I could. My references took so long to return, however, that my application was accepted later than I had anticipated. I realized though that I would be filling a position that there was a need for rather than hand picking one. I am certain that God has placed me where He can best use me.”
Cindy - Summer, Mile High Baptist Association, Colorado
“I started looking into summer missions in February before finally deciding near the end of March. Although I have loved doing mission work in the past, committing this summer to missions was a huge step of faith for me. It went against all my previous plans for what my summer would be like after graduating from college. As I laid it before the Lord, however, I realized that I would not be satisfied unless I did what He was asking me to do. So, I applied for the position and watched as the Lord provided for my needs and confirmed this direction of service.”
Brenda - Summer, Rachel Sims Baptist Mission, Louisiana
“I had planned on being at field training this summer preparing for my future career as an officer in the Air Force. I found though that the future was one I had planned out, one I had chosen. My passion was with people, was with sharing and loving them. I found that though I was good at something, and it came easily to me, it did not mean I needed to be doing it. I needed to follow my passion, the passion God had placed on my heart. Soon after I withdrew from the ROTC program and the future I had been looking forward to I was presented with a free summer that I could give to my Lord or hoard for myself. Being in God's will and following hard after Him is amazing and always breathtaking. Serving in New Orleans is more than I had planned or pictured. When you allow God to make your decisions, to direct your path, you can't go wrong.”
Christi - Summer, College Heights Baptist Church, Soldotna, Alaska
“I have been praying about doing summer missions for over a year now. I believe the Lord has possibly called me to full-time career missions, and I believe this is a good way to "get my feet wet". I was not reluctant to serve, but I did a lot of praying over where exactly I was being led to serve. It was a process of elimination, and when the right opportunity came along I just knew it was the one.”
Jessica - Summer, First Baptist Church, Port Orchard, Washington
“Summer missions was always something our Baptist Student Union emphasized. At the time I didn't realize the importance of it. I had assumed I would take summer classes both summers and graduate on time. As the deadline application approached, I started thinking about it more and more and really felt God tugging at my heart. As I started to pray and think about it more, I remember getting a random call from our BSU Director asking me to think about summer missions because I was someone they thought would be great for it. I thought this was God telling me I had to do it. I kept setting out these fleeces before God, and He kept answering them and calling me. After that things just fell into place, but not until some time after the application was sent in did I realize this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing.”
Heidi - Summer, Charleston Outreach, South Carolina
“I spent a week in Charleston with 20 other people from my Baptist Student Union for spring break this year. Throughout the week something in me kept wondering whether or not I should return to Charleston to serve for the summer (the Holy Spirit perhaps.) I prayed about this and laid it aside. Some other summer plans to visit Costa Rica through the study abroad program fell through, and so I prayed some more about returning to Charleston. After much prayer I made the decision to come. I was a bit reluctant because I did not have much money for the summer, and I thought the ideal summer would be for me to get a job and disciple some people at home. The Lord showed me His plans, and I obeyed even though I did not, and still do not, completely understand the plan.”
Sam - Sojourner, Screven Baptist Association, South Carolina
“I made the decision to go this summer when I read about Sojourners last summer at Centrifuge. We received the information in a little booklet that described the many opportunities there are to be involved with missions. As soon as I read about Sojourners I immediately felt led to go. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my summer mission projects, I wanted to do more with my summer besides just spending one week at World Changers or doing some other week-long project. The next day I asked my youth minister and Bible study leader some questions about it, and when I got home I looked up information on the internet. The more I learned about Sojourners and the more I prayed about it, the more I felt that this was what God wanted me to do with my summer. When I asked my parents, they were a little apprehensive about me being gone all summer. I finally told them that I really felt that God was calling me to do this. When they said yes, I immediately sat down and started working on my application. Before long it was finished, and my reference forms had been sent in, and I was more excited than I had ever been about anything in my entire life.”
Ashley - Sojourner, Low Country Ministries, South Carolina
“After my 7th grade year I went on a World Changers trip. During one of our services two people got up on stage and told us about how they were Sojourners for that summer, and they shared some of their ministries. I fell in love with the idea and never gave it up. This year was the first year I could apply, and I’ve been praying about it for nearly four years, so it was a no-brainer decision, and I applied immediately.”
Amy - Summer, Gulf Area Resort Ministries, Alabama
“I felt led to do missions this summer, and at first, I was planning on working at a camp I had worked at previously. I was online in the process of getting the application, and I ended up on the NAMB website and felt led to apply for summer missions. It took me over a month to finally finish the application because I let Satan get in the way. I quickly realized that I had nothing to fear and knew for sure that God wanted me to do summer missions. When I hit submit I had an overwhelming peace come over me and began to get excited about what God was going to do through me this summer!”
Jessica - Summer, New Hope New York
“I had received a pamphlet from the International Mission Board and had originally thought about serving overseas this summer. I talked with my pastor at home about it and told him I wasn't sure I could afford most of the places overseas, and he told me to look into serving with NAMB. He said that God would have to put a gladness in my heart about serving in the states or in a particular state, and then I would know it was from God. So I did and found New Hope New York, and God really put that joy in my heart about it. I have to admit that I was excited yet a little reluctant because I didn't know what to expect and really wanted to be used to the fullest and was just hoping I would get placed somewhere where that could happen."
How did God confirm to you along the way that this was what He wanted you to do? Were there people who encouraged you, books you read, sermons you heard, or verses that stuck out to you?
Rebecca - Sojourner, Columbia Basin Baptist Association, Northwest
“In the beginning it was hard for me to get all the stuff I needed done and just get things in order. I was getting really frustrated, so I stopped and prayed. I said, ‘God, I need your help. I know You want me to go, and I know that I can’t do this without You. This is Your plan, Lord, so please take these burdens and simplify things so I can get what I need accomplished without killing myself over stress.’ Of course He came through and made things a whole lot easier. He made things flow right into order.”
Erin - Summer, Camp Joy Baptist Assembly, Kentucky
“My family and friends all encouraged me to take this time to follow through with what I have always felt a desire to do. My roommate did a summer missions trip with NAMB during her college career and really encouraged me to do it too. I have been reading Lady in Waiting and felt encouraged to do ministry like this while I am still single. Many sermons at my church in the past year have also encouraged me to step out and share my faith more and practice practically being a witness to those around me.”
Rachael - Sojourner, Mission Arlington, Texas
“There was this saying that has stuck with me: 2/3 of God is GO. That was the main thing that has kept encouraging me that this was the right thing to do. God has also just given me a peace in my heart. It's really gotten to me that I have to leave my best friends, especially since my family is moving while I'm in Texas. Each time my heart gets sad, God wraps His arms around me to tell me that it's going to be alright.”
Emily - Summer, First Baptist Church, Burley, Idaho
“Well, I think first and foremost the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20.) It literally tells us to go. I know that God has amazing plans, and I feel this call on my life to serve Him in this way. I don't know if it'll be long-term or if it's just something I am supposed to experience in college, but I can't think of a better time to serve than now.”
Hilary - Summer, Caring Ministries, Arizona
“I prayed at each step in the process of looking at places to serve, applying to be a summer missionary and talking to friends and family. Although it was all somewhat new to me I felt like it was really what God was leading me to do. My family was very supportive and so were all of my friends. I continued to feel that I have been given so much in my life and been blessed so abundantly that I wanted very much to give that back to others and be a simple servant.”
Amanda - Summer, Columbia Basin Baptist Association, Northwest
“Well, God put on my heart when I was in Washington last summer such a burden for the youth there, and throughout the year, I thought about how awesome it would be to go back to work with small youth groups. I didn't have any idea that something like that would actually come about. I don't think I even said anything to anyone about it up there. It was just a desire on my heart. Then when I found out that they were wanting to put together a youth intern team for this summer for the first time, and they told me about it, I was completely in awe! I know it was definitely orchestrated by God because He put those desires on my heart, and then without me doing anything He opened up the door for this incredible opportunity!”
Daphne - Sojourner, Columbia Basin Baptist Association, Montana
“Isaiah 6:1-8 is the passage that has really reassured me in that Isaiah was a man of unclean lips who lived among a people of unclean lips, and yet God used his availability in magnificent ways. My purpose in life is to know God's glory and to make it known to others. I am encouraged to know that my experiences this summer can be used to transform me more into Christ's likeness, and therefore, I can reflect God's glory more accurately (2 Corinthians 3:18.)”
Steven - Summer, Triangle Baptist Association, Montana
“Everything that I seemed to look at told me that this is what God is wanting to do in my life this summer. Even in the times that I have been discouraged, there’s always been something that has lifted me up. There have been some scriptures, and my pastor, Mike, has always prayed for me. As I was preparing over the last few days God has been showing me encouragement through Joshua and the first few chapters. One verse that is my theme for this summer is Joshua 1: 9. ‘Be strong and very courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ Upon reading that verse I was just completely confirmed that He wants to do some amazing things.”
Melanie - Sojourner, Words to Works Ministries, Florida
“God confirmed that I was doing His will in many ways. First of all, my parents, who weren't crazy at the idea of a summer mission trip, didn't have a single objection - none. My youth minister and many people in my youth group, adults and students alike, really encouraged me. Before I began praying about Sojourners, I thought of going on only foreign mission trips, but after being approved by NAMB, I began to come across books and articles about sharing the gospel in America. I denied my ideas and wants for a mission trip, and God showed me that He had something better in mind.”
Lance - Summer, Nome Community Baptist Church, Nome, Alaska
“God confirmed this along the way by closing doors to other opportunities. These opportunities weren't bad, but it was not where God wanted me to go at this particular time. My entire life I have always desired to teach in other cultures. What better place than with Native Alaskans who do not know who God is. The scripture that stuck out to me in my devotion times was Psalm 34:8. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him.’ I really had to trust in God to narrow down my decisions on where to go. Something I learned out of this decision process is that God's will is what is best for my life, and the drives and passions He gives me I should use to glorify His name. I pray I do that in Alaska.”
Brandi - Sojourner, Words to Works Ministries, Florida
“God helped confirm this through making me feel very excited and through the verse Isaiah 6:8. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here I am. Send me!'" This really sealed the deal for me. My family and friends encouraged me telling me that they also believe God can use me through this experience. The Bible was the book that encouraged me. Reading about the different kinds of people called in the Bible made me realize that you don't have to be the best person, you don't even have to be able to speak right, but when God calls you He will help you to get His message across.”
Cortney - Summer, Cornerstone Community Church, Ames, Iowa
“The past few months God has really been teaching me about relying and trusting on His will. When the opportunity to serve was given to me, I was very excited. However, I knew that it would only happen if it was in God's will. So I have been praying for His will and for my acceptance of it. A few weeks ago I had to take a comprehensive exam for school. If I would not have passed, I would have had to forego the opportunity to serve in Iowa. Passing the test was the confirmation that this opportunity was a part of God's will.”
Amanda - Summer, McKenzie Road Baptist Church, Olympia, Washington
“The first verse that made me realize that this is what God wanted me to do was 2 Tim. 1:7-9. After reading that I knew that God wanted me to be a missionary. Last summer God placed a passion in my heart for the Northwest, and I felt that that is where He wanted me to go again this year. There was a time this past fall that I thought that maybe I was doing this because I wanted to do it and not because God wanted me to. So I went and talked to my campus minister, and we prayed, and I just put it all in God's hands. The next day I got my acceptance letter, and then two weeks later I got my placement letter. There is no doubt in my mind that this is exactly what God wants me to do and where He wants me to go.”
Anne - Summer, Oakland Baptist Association, Michigan
“I knew immediately that this was what God wanted for me this summer. I had been praying for weeks and knew that God would provide for me the summer He wanted me to have, if only I would submit to Him. I knew God would take care of all my needs and was not surprised when I found an organization in two hours time that was willing to let me work for God and take care of my financial needs as well. I knew God was behind the plan and chose to go with it. Since then God has continually provided different opportunities for me to grow in particular areas of my life so that I can more effectively work for Him.”
Sam - Sojourner, Screven Baptist Association, South Carolina
“Something that was a big confirmation for me was a sermon my pastor gave one day about missions. It almost seemed that he was speaking directly to me. The key verse for the sermon was Acts 1:8, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ I have seen and read this verse many times before, but for some reason it really stuck out at me throughout the entire service. Then, at the end of the service when we were getting ready to leave, I dropped my Bible. When I picked it up, my eyes went right to the words, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ The whole of that verse, Isaiah 30:21, says, ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’’ After this experience I definitely felt that this was what I was supposed to be doing this summer."
Misty - Summer, Golden Isle Resort Ministries, Georgia
“When I was 17 I began to wonder if being a missionary was for me. I didn't understand what a missionary truly did, but I knew they served God and that seemed awesome to me. It didn't seem meant to be at the time because the doors weren't opening. Within the past two years I was able to experience a lot of great and wonderful things, and with each step God grew to be more and more important to me. I wasn't raised in church, and I was saved when I was 14. Ever since then God has made His way into every fiber of my life. He is foremost in all of my decisions, thoughts and actions. My current pastor has really inspired me a great deal to be a missionary and so has his wife. They are very supportive and being in their company is very uplifting. They are always saying great things about mission work and that encouragement is so awesome.”
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