The Road to England Is Paved In Faith 

And a deep love…

As a young girl, a deep love blossomed in my heart for a place I had never been to and a people I didn’t know. I sat on my bed with my little journal, writing about how I would live there one day. The reason for that love and what I was going to do there were lost on child-me. All I knew was that I felt certain.

That longing and love continued through my teenage years. And through my twenties. At various times, I looked into student visas or work visas; however, these never panned out. They didn’t feel quite right either. There was a point in which I thought perhaps it was just a dream, and so I worked on other plans for my life.

But God knew what plans he had for me and this love he’d so carefully placed in my heart.

In Autumn 2017, I was fasting and praying over some things. The last day of my fast was a Sunday. My pastor spoke things that deeply resonated with me. And I felt absolutely certain that I was to go to England. There was also a clear sense of purpose now. My calling was to ministry there. Now was the time. England was the place. Missions was the work. Over the next several months, various people provided confirmation.

Perfect. I now had all the answers. Just kidding. Now I perhaps had even more questions. What city? What job exactly was I going to be doing in ministry? How on earth would I get a visa? I knew the places and people that God had burdened my heart with, but I still wasn’t sure on so many things (and even now, there are details still in progress).

Fast forward through months of prayer and waiting and some disappointments to November 2018. My mom sent me a Facebook post from an agency called Greater Europe Mission (GEM). It’s about a coffee shop ministry they have in England. She encourages me to apply to GEM. I was intrigued. And I’ve learnt to listen to my mother, who is very in-tune to spiritual matters. But I’m also forgetful. A week or two later she asked if I had applied yet. And I hadn’t. But I did.

And so my journey to England with GEM began.

On June 5th, 2019, I was finally appointed to full-time, long-term service in England after a long, comprehensive application process.

Now, I am in the process of gathering a team of 60-80 individuals and churches that will partner with me for monthly support of me and my ministry. God is faithful to bring together those that will say yes to him both in going and in giving.

I am also working with my field supervisor to determine the exact location where I will serve. I will be going to the area just south of Newcastle, which is in the Northeast on the North Sea coast. Once I reach 40% of my funding, I will meet with churches in order to determine which one God is calling me to.

I feel a particular love and burden for the marginalized people (the homeless, addicts, abused, mentally ill) who are being forgotten and failed by the systems that are supposed to care for them. Nonjudgmental hospitality is also incredibly important to me. I will use these loves to build relationships with the people God places around me in my community to share the love of Jesus with them.

Thank you for coming along with me on this incredible journey. God is moving in Europe. He is changing lives and turning people back to him. As my journey progresses, I will continue to keep you updated.

GEM’s Mission

• Reaching Europe by multiplying disciples and growing Christ’s Church.

GEM’s Vision

• God expanding His kingdom through all the peoples of Europe to the world.