Hello, my name is Danielle! I recently graduate from UofT where I served in campus ministry with Power to Change. My life as a student has always been a bit all over the place, but in this past year I found that God provided such a valuable opportunity to slow down to pause and to notice where he was working in my last year of university. Growing valuable trust in God through seasons of suffering and amidst the unknown of what lies beyond graduation has been a part of my learning and healing over the summer. Ultimately, some of the moments that have brought me joy over this summer has been reuniting with my mission trip staff team, and sharing meals at home observing the restoration of my family.
How are you seeking to live missionally in this season of your life?
In this season of post-grad life, I easily have hours available between my job searching, time with the Lord, and time spent with loved ones. Intentionality with living missionally to cultivate my relationships with other people has been vital as I continue engage in relational evangelism and discipleship. With my time, I have been able to steward the facilitation of the P2C women's sexual integrity accountability group, while also outreaching to my non-Christian friends to share about how Jesus is the only one who can meet their needs. I have found that sharing my testimony of encountering God in the midst of suffering and uncomfortability has spoken significantly to those around me, and I believe that God is allowing me to steward my story to encourage others to see where God is present and patient in the midst of uncertainty.
How have you been encouraged or challenged in your journey to participate in God’s mission?
Following graduation, I have been uniquely challenged by uncertainty within my next career steps, often wondering where God will provide for me in this new season. Feelings of inadequacy often bubble up as I reflect on my prior ambitions to become a teacher, however, I have received much confirmation that my calling lies beyond a classroom.
Even after 6 failed interviews, and what is now likely to be over 70 job applications, God has still been tremendously faithful in how he has guided me to narrow down potential pathways in non-for profit and ministry work. As I journey with many people facing similar hardship and questions, I have been able to vulnerably proclaim my trust in Jesus and how that leaves me with hope. From these conversations, I have been able to have intentional dialogue to share the gospel with a number of my peers - who are now in positions to more seriously consider God in their helplessness.
How would you encourage someone looking to get involved or engaged missionally?
Before engaging in mission, I think that it is important to understand that today's spiritual climate is often marked by instability and hopelessness as more and more people recognize world's need of restoration, it is important then that the gospel becomes our foundation and right perspective as we witness to God's transformative power and unceasing love. That means having a sense of urgency to recognize our sin, live in conviction that Jesus as the Lord of our lives, and love our neighbours being bold to share the good news with gentleness and truth.
Living missionally, does not always look like being sent to a particular unreached place, but it can practically also look like being faithful where you are. Sharing the gospel does not always look like sharing a presentation or booklet, but can look like a quick coffee chat, a text sharing scripture and a word of encouragement, or even stewarding the presence of Jesus to someone in need. I truly recommend connecting to a fellowship and Christ centered church community that has the biblical foundations to form disciples as they will be able to support your missional living on daily basis!
If you take a peek at my prayer wall which I stuck up for the entire year - a repeat prayer was related to 5 Bible that I wanted to give out at my residence where I worked as a Residence Don. By the end of term all 5 Bibles found people, one very specially gifted to one of my own students who accepted Jesus after I shared the gospel with him. Today, he is one of the only people in his family who is a follower of Jesus, and he desires to continue to share the good news with them over his summer. God is soo good, and our prayers for revival on campus are continuing to be answered!!!
