As Lauren gathered with her family by their Christmas tree this past December, watching her University of Memphis graduation ceremony on YouTube, her first post-graduation step was already planned.
Just weeks later, in mid-January, Lauren began training to serve in Nairobi, Kenya, for two years. This year, she will be sent through the International Mission Board’s (IMB) Journeyman program to assist in discipleship and media alongside existent IMB missionaries and projects.
Confident God has chosen her for this task, Lauren still admits that just a few years ago she believed she could never be a missionary.
“I used to think, ‘I’m not perfect enough’ or whatever,” Lauren said. “It was always on the back burner as something I thought would be cool but never something I’d actually do.”
As a result, Lauren turned her attention to being more involved in discipleship and media ministry–living out the Missionary Task in that way.
Then, this past summer, as people began mentioning the Journeyman program to her, she began praying for God to make His will clear. As door after door flew open, she became increasingly confident that God was leading her to Kenya.
Looking back, she realizes that all along God was preparing her skills and planting the desire for missions in her heart.
“Now, I’m getting to do missions and media all in one,” Lauren said. “God knew my desire more than I did because I never thought I’d be adequate for this, but He’s strong in our weaknesses.”
As for the inherent sacrifices that come with mid-term cross-cultural missions, Lauren embraces the reality of these sacrifices, stating that Christians are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and follow the example God has given.
“If you look at the Gospel, God sacrificed His Son, and Jesus died on the cross,” Lauren said. “This world is not our home, so we should invest more in heavenly things.”
Upon completing her training in Virginia, Lauren will briefly return to Memphis and then be on her way to Kenya soon after.
Click here to watch a video about Lauren’s journey and how God led her to answer the call to missions.
How You Can Engage
Bellevue partners with the International Mission Board to mobilize individuals to engage in the Missionary Task around the world. Opportunities include a two-year Journeyman term for young adults or a two to four-year term to join church planting and discipleship efforts across the globe. You can also serve alongside missionaries as field support in areas of healthcare, IT, or education. Visit bellevue.org/missions to learn more.