Beginnings…
My name is Nate Rehm, I’m 21 years old. I have approximately zero experience with international missions. Until recently, if you asked me what I would be doing after my college graduation, I would have told you graduate school, working, the circus, pretty much anything other than The World Race. I am super pumped to be going on this journey with The Lord and cannot wait to see what He will do in me and through me along the way.
My Roots
I grew up in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb about twenty minutes outside of Columbus. I have been, and always will be, a buckeye (O-H!). My parents are divorced and I’m an only child. Growing up, I played pretty much every sport in the book. I took a particular liking to lacrosse though, and have had my fair share of injuries from it (sorry, mom). I tried playing the trumpet in middle school, but decided I liked football better. One time when I was four, I broke my collar bone doing karate kicks off of the couch. I used to want to be a mover man, garbage man, or physical therapist when I grew up, but never considered putting “missionary” in my repertoire, until now.
I am currently a senior at Ohio State, and am doing my best to soak up every last second of my undergraduate career. In the spring, I will be graduating with a bachelor’s of science in public health specializing in sociology. I have had the incredible blessing of being a Young Life leader throughout my time in college, heading up a team of OSU students who serve Licking Heights High School. To be honest, it’s a small, rural high school in the middle of nowhere, but my how The Lord has worked incredibly through this ministry. I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the power of Jesus pulling my high school friends out of the depths and into the glorious light of walking with Him. Young life has shown me first hand what it means to fully depend on Jesus. He has taught me so much that I am not a changer of hearts, only He is. I am rather an avenue of truth that The Lord has seen fit to make His appeal through. What an amazing gift it has been to see my life be molded and transformed even further by Jesus through this ministry just as much as he has changed the lives of high school guys around me. I could go on and on about how I’ve seen God work through Young Life, so if you would like to hear more, please ask!
My friends are near and dear to my heart, and I have had the blessing of living with many of them throughout college. We lived in a ministry house called “The Ark”. All of my house mates are or were young life leaders, too! For my senior year, though, I moved into an apartment about five minutes from campus with some of my best pals, Robbie, Dave, and Travis.
I am a part of Vista Community Church in Columbus, Ohio. I love this group of people dearly and feel at home as a part of this body of believers. I feel so blessed to be able to say that The Lord has given me an abundant amount of older, more mature believers to love me, pray for me, and push me towards Jesus. I am grateful beyond words for their hands in my life.
Fun Facts
- I love the Cleveland Browns (I’m still hopeful!)
- I’ve broken 11 bones
- I have a dog named Jack. He is the cutest dog in the world. Please don’t argue with me.
- I’ve been getting pretty into country music lately.
- I hate the dentist.
- I work in the radiology department as a student intern at the OSU Wexner Medical Center
- This past summer, I also interned with the Ohio Machine (the professional lacrosse team in Ohio). I think it’s safe to say my next summer will be a little different than the last.
- I’m a total momma’s boy.
- I’ve had an unusual amount of black eyes resulting from odd courses of events. For example, one time, I got a black eye from my roommate Mark hitting me in the face with a kiwi from across the room.
- I’m afraid of bats
- My grandpa doesn’t have a belly button
My Walk with Jesus
After my parents got divorced, I was a confused dude. I couldn’t see how God could let a family fall apart like that. Honestly, I didn’t really care what God had to offer me. I was too focused on my family’s brokenness and how I could preform well enough to somehow bring it back together. Then, when my mom started walking with Jesus, something clicked in my head. She began loving me with such grace and mercy that I couldn’t explain it. Not that she didn’t love me before, don’t get me wrong, but this was different. It was a love that had no strings attached. Then, the same woman who shared the love of Jesus with my mom, had a son my age who began sharing that same love with me. I was flabbergasted. Hearing the story of Jesus and His death for my sin blew me away. I began to realize it wasn’t about my performance, it wasn’t about how hard I could work. I already failed, but at the same time I was already forgiven. I was fully loved, no strings attached. In the eighth grade, I gave my life to Jesus. That was the single best decision I have ever made. It wasn’t until high school that I learned what it meant to actively pursue a relationship with Jesus, but boy, am I thankful for the ones around me that showed me how. I have found full life and divine purpose. My life is worth living and my story is worth telling only because of the one who gave me life in the first place.
Lastly, I am reminded that I am an ordinary guy who has been extraordinarily transformed by the death of Jesus. My hope and prayer for my life is that Jesus makes much of Himself and little of me. After all, I am just a beggar trying my best to point other beggars towards where to find bread. Hint: It’s found at the foot of the cross.
