Prepared to Depart
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
In the coming weeks, these graduates will be heading overseas as missionaries to participate in the good works God has planned for them. They go in confidence knowing that He has been working in them “for such a time as this.”(Esther 4:14) When asked to share how the Lord had worked to prepare them, these responses were given:
Lindsey Kent: Since she was twelve, Lindsey has planned to be a doctor in Africa. While she is not going into Medicine, God used it as a way of growing her heart for the world. During undergrad, she did a research project on medical access and ministry in Northern Africa, and one university that continually showed up, where doctors on the continent were educated, was the University of Cape Town; one of the campuses my team will be working on!”
Graham Kanagy: Graham grew up in a Christian home and attended a Christian school but didn’t come to know Christ until he was a student at Kansas State University. When the Lord called Graham to go overseas with CO LEAD, he was nervous about support-raising but as he talked with people he had grown up around, he got to know them and realize they had a shared vision for the world. God had gone before Graham and prepared a team to partner with him; his support was raised in 37 days!
Matthew Schwartz: “Moving overseas is scary, in large part due to the mystery that cloaks it. I am grateful that God allowed me to walk through other big transitions that felt daunting. In all those things it felt like I was in over my head (and I probably will feel the same moving to Johannesburg), but the promise of the Lord stands: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you."
Kristen Bremner: Kristen applied to go with CO LEAD in 2020 but faced challenges through the discernment process and landed in a marketplace internship instead. When that commitment ended, she got excited about moving to Atlanta, taking a real estate course, and starting a career. This was a hard and lonely season and Kristen saw herself falling into a materialistic mindset. She remembers thinking, “This is not the life I am called to live!” Committed to giving her life away, Kristen thought of CO SERVE! She contacted the office and picked up where she left off the year before. Kristen has stepped out in faith and is moving to London!
You are God’s handiwork! Can you see how He has designed you for your calling? What joy to see what He plans to do with you next!