Hi! I am Ryand and I am a class of 2025 alumni from UofT, where I graduated from the programs Health & Disease and Cell & Molecular Biology!
This past year I began an internship with Power to Change, a ministry on campus that seeks to help students take their next steps with Jesus, and I will be returning for a 2nd year internship! I enjoy hanging out with my friends, spending time with my family, meeting people, having fun moments and going to the gym!
A favourite memory from this summer was going on a missions trip to Vietnam which I will share more about!
How has following Jesus impacted your goals and plans this summer?
Following Jesus has impacted my goals and plans in many ways! It was a blessing to be able to join the mission trip team that went to Vietnam this past May and also spend my time this summer preparing for my 2nd year internship with Power to Change. Engaging intentionality in ministry this summer through church and P2C has been a joy and a desire of mine as I earnestly seek to be obedient to God and glorify Him this summer.
Why is engaging in missions important to you?
Engaging in missions is important to me because it is something that God has called us to do and is something He desires. What He desires, I too shall also desire. For my life is hidden in Christ and what I seek to do is to glorify Him every moment of my life, and one of those ways is intentionally seeking ways in proclaiming the Gospel! The truth of the Gospel is so beautiful and many people do not know/have a true understanding of the Good News that is found in Jesus' life and ministry. Just as the Gospel has changed my life and how I engage in things, I hope and pray for opportunities for people to also hear of the life-changing message of the Gospel!
Can you share about the spiritual climate, outreach strategy or ministry overview during your time on your missions trip?
I went to Vietnam this past summer for a missions trip. Vietnamese people are some of the most welcoming and loving people I have come to know. The spiritual climate there is composed of different views that blend teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and folk tradition. With only 1% of the population identifying as Christian, it is considered an unreached place and there is a need for the Gospel to be preached. That being said, they are open to hear and learn of what other people believe in.
Our main ministry is reaching out to local university students. Our desire is to engage and contextualize the Gospel with the worldview that is perceived by them and how Jesus is relevant in their lives. Love God, Love our team, Love the locals was the overarching theme that we reflected on during the trip. We would meet with students on campus or coffee shops and engage in activities that would stir deeper friendship and conversation with one another.
Though our goal is to share the Gospel and have the come to know Jesus, we also desire to establish genuine friendships with them. We are not orchestrating anything new, but are simply walking in step with the Spirit and partnering with what God is already doing there through the presence of local Christians and the work of teams that went before us.
Our trip also focused on how to grow together as a team, whether if it was through team lunches, spontaneous hangouts, impromptu prayer sessions. We knew that God had brought us all over Canada to be together and be a team, so we wanted to also be intentional in how we could serve one another as we seek to serve the people God has led us to!
How would you encourage someone looking to get involved or engaged missionally? Any specific resources, tools, or communities to connect with?
Have a heart and desire in being obedient to God. To trust and be confident in Him. I am reminded of the commission of the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8, where Isaiah simply out of love and obedience to the Lord, is ready and willing to be sent out by God. Be rooted in prayer and Scripture. Engage in activities that help shape you to become more like Christ. As you become more like Christ, you desire what He desires and one of the things our Lord desires is for us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
I would also encourage you that engaging missionally doesn't have to look like going on a mission trip, but could also be serving locally where you are, with your church and prayerfully actively seeking to share the Gospel. Talk with friends whether at church or at a Christian community you are a part of on campus that is enthusiastic about being engaged missionally and where to serve. Engaging missionally is also an act of obedience to the Lord! Being on mission is not simply seen only in evangelism but is also seen through our actions (our witness) before people and being attentive to the many ways God is shaping us, others and our surroundings.
I recommend listening to podcasts and read about pastors who are passionate about missions (John Piper, Jonathan Edwards, etc). Going to different conferences that highlight missions. There's definitely more I could say and if you're interested, feel free to just send me a message.
