Tell us a bit about yourself
Hello everyone! My name is Gwen. I’m a Bostonian living in Toronto and entering my fourth year at U of T studying math and statistics. I first got connected with Missions Hub a few years ago through a Missions Disciplers group, and since then, you may have seen me around at events like Luke 10:2. This is my first summer living in Toronto, and I have really been enjoying the warm weather and late sunsets after the long winter season. In my downtime, I’ve been reading books, jamming on the guitar, biking to parks around the GTA, playing pickup soccer, or just basking in the sunlight on campus.
Why is engaging in missions important to you?
A few years after becoming a Christian, my faith was changed by the realization that every event since Genesis has been purposefully leading up to the final gathering of his children from every tribe, people, and language. I’m always inspired by stories of Christians who have oriented their lives around ministry to unreached people groups in light of this image from Revelation. I hope that as I experience God’s goodness in my life, it could similarly overflow into a joyful desire for others to find the same blessing in Christ—especially those who have no access to the gospel. Engaging in this global mission is an amazing opportunity to witness God’s pursuit of his people way beyond the bubble of my own life.
What has been challenging or frustrating in your missional journey recently? How did you find hope in the midst of it?
A few years ago, I found myself increasing in apathy towards God, and it was disheartening to feel my distance to him growing just as in a season of doubt I had experienced years before that. However, one thing I can attest to looking back on my journey is that as often as I have felt ready to give up on fellowship with God, he has still pursued me in his good timing, bringing about internal change that I couldn’t have orchestrated myself. These experiences have shown me that even my ability to grow in faith is a result of his generous grace. In my apathy, I eventually began to notice the way God was slowly opening my heart, and I was reminded of the way that he had led me through discouragement in the past and retained the same sovereignty to do so again.
How are you seeking to live missionally in this season of your life?
During his ministry, Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37). I want to live missionally in the current season by praying for openness to any way God would want me to participate in his global kingdom. I also hope to engage by mobilizing (i.e., sharing about God’s heart for the nations) my Christian friends—and also myself since I know there’s a lot out there for me to learn!
What are you hopeful for moving forward?
As I’m nearing the end of my undergrad, I spend a lot of time wondering what life will look like on the other side. It’s easy to minimize the time I have left in Toronto while fixated on the unknowns ahead, but I realize that God has greatly blessed me with the classmates, campus fellowship, and church community that I have right now. The past few months have been marked with some of the most excitement I’ve ever felt both to be learning more and to be sharing with others about the worthiness of God. So going into the new school year, I’m hopeful for more opportunities to learn from older Christians, encourage younger Christians, and share with non-Christian friends about how this faith has changed my life.