I went on my first short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic with I was 15; I was propelled into that trip because of a passion for service, a desire to serve God, and because my three best friends were going. Little did I know the trajectory on which that trip would set my life.

After that initial trip, I yearned to more deeply explore how God was calling me. I went on several more mission trips, eventually leading me to the American Baptist Xtreme Team. That trip was a pivotal moment for me in committing my life to God’s call and pursuing God’s justice in the world. On that trip, I was challenged by what I saw and encouraged by my peers and mentors; I saw God’s work in the world, and wanted to be a part of it. My experience on Xtreme Team helped me to find my own voice, and to use it to empower others. 

What happened next? It was because of my time with Xtreme Team that I continued to pursue opportunities for service and discernment and to seek God’s will for my life. The next step was seminary, a time of intense growth and learning that prepared me for the vocation to which God was (and is still) calling me. 

Recently, I was back at the same physical location where I encountered God on the Xtreme Team, and so much has changed. Older? Yes. Wiser? Hopefully. Transformed? Absolutely. No longer was I a young adult questioning how I could follow Jesus in the world; now, I was the leader, strong and confident in how God has called me and empowering others in their journeys. 

Now, I have the privilege and joy of working with International Ministries, guiding and discipling young adults and volunteers as they ask those same questions and pursue God’s call for them through missions. And it all started with a short-term mission trip.