My name is Sarah, and my husband I currently live in East Asia where we are working to share the gospel with unreached people groups and equip Asian missionaries.

But how did we get here? I was raised as a preacher’s kid and had the privilege of knowing Christ from an early age. Similarly, my husband grew up in the church learning to follow Christ. But neither of us planned to go into full time ministry. I went to college to become a pharmacist, while my husband Drew studied statistics.

So again, how did we end up as missionaries in East Asia? The simple answer is that God knew us, had a plan for us and used His church to call us and send us out. Psalm 139:14 says that we were remarkably and wondrously made. God made me to be a quiet, cautious person who was interested in science. But he also called me to share his Good News. After working in secular careers for a few years, my husband and I felt a burden for the lost people in East Asia.

This could not have happened outside of the body of Christ. While we were in college, we were part of a local church that loved and supported missionaries, and taught regularly on the importance of going and sending. We both went on short term mission trips that opened our eyes to see places where people had still not heard of Jesus. After we married, we took jobs in a different city and joined a new church that was also passionate about reaching the nations for Jesus.

One Sunday, while hearing preaching on the Great Commission we felt like we needed to respond to God’s call with obedience and faith. It took two years for us to prepare. We needed practical training in the form of seminary courses, but we also needed discipleship along the way. Our small group at the church walked with us through the application process, the interviews, the health clearance process. They constantly prayed for and encouraged us. We joined outreach ministries with the church seeking to
serve and minister to international college students and refugees in our area. We had the opportunity to participate in cross-cultural evangelism and discipleship within a short drive from our church. These experiences challenged us, grew us and confirmed in us the plan God had for us. We were called to go, but through every step in the process we needed the body of Christ.

Almost 13 years ago we landed on field in East Asia. There have been both victories and challenges along the way. But we have always been blessed by the love and support from churches back home. Some have sent cards or care packages to encourage us. Some have made long trips to visit us and join us in the mission. We are so thankful for the people who keep in touch with us, pray for us, and welcome us when we come back for home assignments. These connections are such a blessing to us; we would not want to continue without them. We truly feel like we are an extension of the U.S. church that has been sent out to serve the Lord. In a real way, we are here because of you.