“Go to the ends of the earth.”
For young adults opportunities abound to serve cross-culturally from one month to one year through the SAMS Missionary Bridger Program. CJ McDowell, a member of The Falls Church Anglican in Virginia, is one such example. Having graduated from Regent University with a degree in psychology, CJ had been wrestling with what the Lord was calling her to do next.
Even though she had spent time living abroad with her family growing up, the stories she had heard about missionaries didn’t seem to apply to her. Then last summer the Lord revealed to her that He is faithful to provide a way to go where He calls, and she felt Him saying, “go to the ends of the earth.” She spoke to church leaders, family, and friends while also taking two courses to learn more about missions.
The Lord connected her with Lucy Chaves, a SAMS Missionary working extensively in Kenya, and she realized a door was being opened. CJ will serve for a month in Kenya before returning to Regent University this Fall to pursue a master’s degree. In Kenya, she will be serving alongside the staff of Kenya Connection as they work to disciple youth and young adults, empowering them to impact their communities through supporting education, job skills, and entrepreneurship. With Lucy serving as her missionary mentor, CJ looks forward to learning how to serve in another culture and to build relationships with young Kenyans, walking alongside them as they grow to faithfully follow Jesus Christ.