If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Ireland or Scotland! I enjoy to their music, breathtaking sceneries, and deep history, both sacred and secular
Can you share any embarrassing experiences that you’ve had overseas?
During a trip to Ghana, my team and I indulged eating a lot of mangoes. Unfortunately, due to the amount of fibre, I felt my stomach churning in the middle of the night, and I only had seconds to get to the washroom. However, the washroom was outside the compound, and it was too dark to unlock the door. Thankfully not everyone woke up!
How long have you been a Christian and how has this impacted the way you view and interact with the world?
I have been a Christian for almost ten years now. There are two strands which my faith shaped the way I see the world. The first is my pastoral heart towards believers. Prior to my conversion, the spiritual wrestling I had shaped my desires to help believers to develop maturity in their faith. I love discipling younger men and help them to follow Christ.
The second is the desire for evangelism. During the time of my conversion, my church leader at my church shared the gospel each time we met. The Lord opened my eyes to see that I was a condemned sinner and there was nothing I could do to save myself. Knowing Christ’s finished work on the cross assured me of my salvation and allow me to taste the glory of forgiven sins. Moreover, the same leader invited me to do mall evangelism where I saw that the gospel is not only for me but for others.
When were you first introduced/interested in Missions? How did this experience impact you?
My mom went on a few short-term trips to Africa when I was a teenager and I joined her on two trips. Prior to the second trip, I initially told my mom I wasn’t interested. However, through a missions’ simulcast my church hosted, the Lord convicted me of my sins of relying on my feelings as the grounds of obedience. This taught me the nature of obedience and has shaped a lot of other decision I made in the future.
What passages of Scripture have challenged or inspired you personally in your missions engagement?
During a missions conference I attended in 2016, one of the speakers (Afshin Ziafat) was instrumental in my call to missions when he quoted John 12:24– 26. I was convicted of the cost and rewards of Jesus’ call. Unless I die to myself, nothing will grow. While I am fully aware that the results of all my endeavors for the Lord may not come during my lifetime, I know Jesus is worthy of all my life in knowing and serving him. God has promised that we will see saints from every tribe and nations worshipping the Lamb who was slain!
What does it mean for you to live missionally right now? How do you practically practice this?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 has shaped how I live missionally, whether he calls me locally or overseas. First, God ultimately calls me to be conformed to the image of his Son because this is why he has saved and purchased me. Second, there are gifts that he has entrusted to me just as Paul tells Timothy to practice, not neglect the gifts. Lastly, I am to trust him that he knows my desire and longing, and he will provide what I need in order to do his will. This may include my aspiration to go overseas or to serve a specific people group.
What would you say to someone who has not engaged with missions?
Romans 12:1–2 is a passage I would use to guide them. Our engagement in God’s work begins with knowing him who saved us because it shapes our priorities. Has the glory of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ convicted me to wholly follow and obey him? Unless one is convicted of this truth, there can be no true direction to engage in God’s work. Once this is understood, I would advise them to examine their own context and discern how they may serve the Lord, whether it be in their own church, work, or school. I know for myself, that if I do not know how to serve here, how can I be prepared to serve overseas.