Because of my love for the outdoors, I studied Environmental, Soil and Water Science at the University of Arkansas for the last four years, and have recently graduated. During my junior year I met students and staff members involved in a Christian organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. Through them I came to a better understanding of my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. As I grew in my relationship with the Lord, I learned how to share my faith and help new believers grow in their walks with God. It has been exciting to see God use me to reach others with the Gospel. I have realized that people all over the world need to hear about Christ’s love for them.
During this last Christmas break I attended a Campus Crusade for Christ conference where God moved in my life in an incredible way. For the first time, I felt like I finally understood the vast depth of the Gospel, and I was immediately crushed by it. At that moment my heart truly understood the division that our sin creates between man and God. I then saw just how great Jesus’ love is for us, that He would die for us while we were still in sin, and reconcile us to the Father. Throughout the rest of the week at the conference God had the full attention of my heart, and He began a life changing work in me. He took my own heart and desires from me, and replaced them with His own heart desires for the world; that His name would be made known among all nations.
This new heart for missions led me to Ethiopia in March with a small group of students from the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry at our campus. Having never been out of the country before, seeing people of another culture, language, and nationality worshiping the same awesome God in their own language struck me greatly. I also got the opportunity to speak with several Ethiopian college students about the Gospel, and even led one of them to Christ! One student even said in his broken English, “Thank you so much for coming all the way to my country to share this with me.”
It was my experience in Ethiopia that really finalized my desire to begin full time ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ for the next year in a foreign country. After several months of prayer, God has led my heart to serve His kingdom in the region of East Asia to reach college students. Evangelistic Christianity can be risky in that part of the world due to the current political regime. Nevertheless, I am convinced this is where God wants me to be for the next year. I can think of no safer place to be than in the center of His will.
My goal is to leave for East Asia on August 29th, but before I go, I have the challenge of raising my financial support. Like many other missions organizations, Campus Crusade for Christ workers must raise all of their financial support. As I take this large step of faith to serve the Lord in ministry, would you prayerfully consider joining me as a partner in ministry by financially supporting me?
There's a few ways you can help out! I will gladly meet with you if you would like to hear more about my ministry. Or, if God has led you to the decision to join my ministry, an online method of giving is listed below! My greatest need at the moment is monthly partnership; however, I know not everyone is in a position to do so. You also have the opportunity to give a one time gift as well. Please seek God's guidance for your decision in prayer.
Campus Crusade's online giving center can be reached at https://give.cru.org/give. At the online giving center, you can setup monthly giving, or give a one time gift. Enter my number 0661749 in the search box, and you will be directed to my staff page. Because I will be in a Closed Country, no personal information of mine can be associated with Crusade on the internet, so just double check that you entered my staff account number correctly. It should say "International Staff" in large font. There will be a large yellow "GIVE A GIFT" link, which will direct you through the process of setting up an automatic draft or credit card monthly gift, or one time gift.
Thank you for considering my need!
Yours in Christ,
Michael
Thank you for taking the time to read Michael's story. It's such a breath of fresh air to meet young people today who are not consumed with themselves and can actually carry on a conversation.
In Mark 16:15, Jesus said to, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Sometimes, I think God allows us to go by providing others with the means. What a blessing to be born in a country that is not under oppression from a government that does not allow them to worship the one true God. Thankfully, Michael is going to tell others. I pray their hearts will be open to His message. Please pray along with me.
