by Dan Lawrence, Alliance youth pastor
Several years ago, our congregation at First Alliance Church (Silver Spring, Maryland) was encouraged to join a small group or start one. My wife, Lisa, and I thought of four non-Christian couples in our community to invite. They came to our house for dinner and a Bible study, and it went great.
During the next year, all of them came to know Jesus as their Savior. We were so inspired by how God was using us that over the past several years, we initiated two additional groups. We have felt that God has used our gifts in and through these groups. It has seemed like a ministry “sweet spot” for us as a couple.
Growing Passion
In November 2014, we visited the C&MA National Office for a meeting with other district leaders in youth ministry. One night we met an old friend, Amy Roedding, who now works at the National Office as director for international placement.
While catching up, Amy asked us a great question: “What are you passionate about, and how do you see God using you?”
We began to tell Amy about our small groups and how God had also burdened our hearts for the Millennial generation. She began to tell us that The Alliance had been looking and praying for a young couple who had experience in an international community and a heart for young people and were gifted in leading and developing small groups. She told us that she thought we would be a perfect fit for this need in Paris, France.
We had never really considered a ministry role abroad, but we promised to pray about it. Over the next couple months we prayed, fasted, and sought the Lord and decided to apply for the position.
Ready, Set, Go
We knew we didn’t meet all the criteria, so we didn’t expect our application to be accepted. But it was. Over the next several months we wrote papers and took personality assessments, language aptitude tests, physicals, and more.
We had an interview at the end of August 2015 when the International Placement Office decided to submit our names for recommendation before the Board of Directors. We found out shortly after the Board’s meeting in October that they approved us as international workers in Paris. We will be part of an effort to develop missional communities designed toward reaching Millennials.
We are excited about this opportunity. There are so many times when God could have said “no” through this journey, and He hasn’t. We have sensed peace about this entire decision. We did not pursue this but felt that God has pursued us. He has already begun to burden our hearts for the people of France. We feel that God is calling us to Paris.
Serve
Since 1887, Alliance people have sought to reach the lost with the gospel in their local communities and around the world. Today, the urgent need remains for devoted Jesus followers to take His good news to the most spiritually dark places on earth. View current openings.