My name is Hannah Marsh, and I am SO excited for this amazing opportunity!
I am 22 years old and graduated in May of 2017 with my undergraduate degree at Anderson University. I majored in Political Science with minors in Non-Profit Leadership and Peace & Conflict Transformation. I am currently working at Anderson University as an Undergrad Admissions Counselor and am pursuing my Masters of Business Administration (graduating in May 2019). I absolutely love my job where I get to work with students and families and show them the opportunities and benefits of being at a Christian university living in Christian community.
I am originally from Plainfield, IN where I attended K-12! I have two amazing parents, Bryan and Michele Marsh who always support and encourage me (even when I tell them I am going to the Middle East on a wim haha). They are excellent role models and love me unconditionally. I am blessed to have a wonderful sister as well, McKenzie who is finishing her senior year at Anderson University with a degree in English and Writing (super proud of her); she is killing it!
My life has been transformed by the opportunities I have had to minister and serve all around the world. From going on my first mission trip ever as an elementary school student to Gulfport, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina to my first international missions trip to Cambodia when I was 16, my world has constantly been changing. The Lord has provided so many amazing opportunities to serve around the world and encounter His people. Every experience has shaped me and has lead me right to where I am today!
I love to dance A LOT, and I love trying new things. I love food and how it brings people together! I love helping build community and bring new people together. According to StrengthFinders, my top 5 strengths are 1. Includer, 2. Context, 3. Woo, 4. Achiever, and 5. Positivity. I love meeting new people and bringing them into the community and helping them feel welcome. I am an ENJF on the Myers Briggs test. I am a true extrovert; I get filled by being around others! I believe my spiritual gifts are Leadership and Hospitality.
I was raised in the church and have been blessed with amazing teachers, mentors, and role models my whole life. I have been brought up in the faith starting at Plainfield Christian Church through amazing mentors like Becky Peters and Lisa Chandler and my Youth Pastor, Brian Leslie. They helped shape me and my story. I now have the privilege of being apart of a new church plant in Anderson at Harvest Bible Chapel, and the Lord is stretching me and leading me in this new phase of life.
This year has been the most challenging of my life so far; there have been so many HUGE changes that I never expected. Through it all, the Lord has been so faithful and has protected me every step of the way. It has not been easy at all, but it has drawn me closer to Him than ever before, and I am so thankful for that. I believe wholeheartedly that the Lord has paved the way for me to be able to go on the World Race. It has been one sign and one miracle after another (feel free to ask me sometime; I would love to share the whole story with you). I have such a passion for the unreached around the world and for refugees; God has made it clear that He wants me on the Expedition route. It wasn’t even a question. 🙂
I struggle with a lot of things. This past 7 months has made me question everything about my life. I had completely had my life planned out to the T, and then complete tragedy set in. The Lord PROTECTED me and GUIDED me through everything that happened this spring and summer. Because of everything that has happened though, I am still struggling and in the slow process of healing. This is one reason why I believe God is calling me to the Race. He wants me to have time to renew and heal in Him and get away from my past. In this year to come, I pray that the Lord uses me however He wills! And that through the year, I am able to officially turn the page on the last four years of my life and move forward.
I am so excited about the World Race! I first heard about it when I was a sophomore at AU and have wanted to go ever since. Because of the place the Lord has me in, He has made in clear that He has completely opened the door to go! I have so many hopes for the World Race; I hope to be the hands and feet of Jesus everywhere we go. I hope to get to work with refugees and the underground church! I hope to build amazing, spiritual friendships with my teammates and squad that I will be ministering with. I hope to come home from the World Race with complete understanding of where the Lord is calling me whether that is overseas permanently or in another context around the States.
Please pray for me to prepare well! I am spiritually, physically, and financially preparing for the World Race! If you know me, you know I am not a frequent miler at the gym haha; pray that I continue to stay motivated to get in shape for this journey (as we will be backpacking in remote areas). And please pray for me to raise my financial support as well! I am very excited to begin fundraising and build my support team. God is so faithful.
Blessings,
Hannah
