Posted: 6/11/04
Student missionaries share
stories of their calling from God
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
RICHARDSON–For some Texas Baptist student missionaries, the call to missions was a voice. For others, it was an impression. For still others yet, it was a realization.
But the response was a unanimous, “Yes, Lord, I'll go.”
Each of the record 445 Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored student missionaries has a different tale of why he or she volunteered to serve. And each is eager to tell it.
| Michael Smith, a University of Texas at Arlington student who will serve in Costa Rica, confesses a sin by writing it in the sand before asking forgiveness and wiping it away in an experiential worship service at a student missionary commissioning service. (Photo by John Hall) |
Ryleigh Bozeman, a University of Houston freshman who will serve in Costa Rica, views this summer as the first step in what she hopes will be a pattern of “giving” her summers to God.
The English major hopes to be a teacher after graduation and plans on using her summer vacations for ministry. Serving in missions is a response to God's goodness, she said.
“I've been blessed with a job, income and time,” Bozeman said. “God gives you everything. It's his. You should use it to glorify him.”
Summer mission work is a natural extension of God's call to vocational ministry for Jordan Tardy, a University of Texas at Austin sophomore who will minister to international students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
This summer ministry will help meet his desire to share the gospel with nonbelievers, he said.
“I have a heart for the lost and want to see people come to Christ,” Tardy said.
Anthony Yim, a graduate student at Houston Baptist University, said this summer may be the last opportunity for him to take an extended mission trip. He will have more responsibility after he graduates as he gains a job and more duties that would prevent longer trips.
Yim will minister to international students through an English as a Second Language program in Los Angeles.
“If we can help a couple people feel like they're loved, … I feel like we've done what we're supposed to do,” he said.
The perspective of serving in circumstances that may be drastically different from the students' Texas experiences has created a mixture excitement and nervousness, several missionaries said.
Jaclyn Bertrand, a Midwestern State University student who will serve in Colorado Springs, said anxiety naturally comes from trying new actions and ministry. Missionaries must have faith that God will support, strengthen and comfort them.
“It's such a new experience,” she said. “You have to step out and trust God is going to provide.”
New experiences bring excitement as well, Tardy said. The notion of ministry electrifies some volunteers who look forward to any opportunity to expand God's kingdom.
“I'm really excited,” he said. “I'm ready to be there. I'm ready to start working and not just hearing about it.”
Joseph Osteen, who recently graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler, said he looks forward to sharing Christ through his actions in Southeast Asia. Although it is illegal to evangelize openly where he will serve, he hopes the people “can sense the love of Christ in our hearts.”
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