How did I get here?
This is a question I have been pondering for the last month. God had to change my heart and my life drastically to get me to a place where I could say, “Yes” to the World Race.
It started in my second year of college at the University of Northwestern- St. Paul. My mind was made up. I was going to finish college and get my business degree, get a corporate sales job, and get married. I was going to settle down with a big house on a lake and enjoy the pleasures of life being financially successful. Then my whole world view changed.
I met a friend who was completely radical. She told me that she was going on the world race. I asked questions like, “what is that?” and “What do you do exactly?” She explained how her main purpose was to take Jesus to the unreached peoples of the world. At or around the same time, I thought it would be good to go on a missions trip over spring break since I have never been on one. Through the trainings I attended in preparing for this trip, I began to see God’s heart for the world and how he purposed us to “go into all the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:20)” and that “The kingdom of God will be preached to every tribe, tongue, and nation; and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).“
It was through this training I realized for the first time that once everyone in the world hears the Good News, Jesus is going to come back! I began to be inspired. There is a deeper calling than living comfortably, especially knowing that when I die, I know I will be with Jesus!
So that summer I worked at a Bible camp and I met some missionaries who explained to me how the biggest factor in prohibiting people from stepping into the missions field was debt. Student loans hit me in the heart- I already had plenty of loans. I realized from there I needed to make a change. I went back to Northwestern after the summer was over. I got on campus for one week and felt no peace about being there! I loved Northwestern more than anyone, I had so many friends, enjoyed my classes and professors, but I felt the Lord leading in a different direction.
Some of the counselors I met at camp that summer, came from Mayville State University. They explained how God was on the move on their campus. I decided that I would take a huge step of faith and change schools so that I may be another light in the midst of a dark campus. While in the process of transferring, God worked all things out for good once again. He allowed all my credits to transfer, even the ones from high school that did not transfer into Northwestern. As a result, this pushed my graduation date up a whole year! I ended up graduating that May (2015) with my bachelors in Business and reduced my student loans tremendously.
That summer I followed my heart to Bismarck, ND. I started working my first job at Scheels, managing a shoe department. I told myself when I first got there, “As soon as I pay off my student loans I will quit my job and do full time ministry.” I realized that God was calling me to greater purpose and I was forced to wait on Him to make it all work out. I was dating a girl at the time and was very invested in the relationship. However, after 13 months our relationship ended. This was another unexpected event that allowed me to analyze what I really wanted in life and to pursue the purpose God has put on my heart from the beginning. After 3 months of healing my broken heart, I started asking God what adventure He had for me next.
It was then I met a friend, Nathan, who shared a similar interest in missions. He encouraged me to pursue something greater while I had the flexibility and availability to do so. I am beginning to understand how God has created me adventurous and to take steps of faith and commitment for the sake of the Good News.
God put the world race on my heart and specifically the 10/40 window route. As I was praying about which route to apply for God spoke to me, “Andrew, are you going for the adventure? Are you going to see the world? Or “are you going to serve me and make my name known to those who have never heard of Me?” I realized the calling of my heart. I connect so much with Paul when he says, “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else (Romans 15:20).”
Currently, I have just paid off all $32,000 of my student loans and right when I did, I was forced to resign from my job! It was unexpected, but I totally see how the Lord used it now. Three weeks later, God opened up a door as a full time youth leader at a church in Bismarck. And now, I will be involved in ministry here until I launch for the World Race.
God has taken me through a lot. So many highs and so many lows. All I know is that He knows my heart and He is who He says He is. He is faithful, He is powerful, He does have authority, He does work all this out for good, and He always provides. Rejoice with me knowing that I can accept a call to go overseas to witness to the unreached of the earth for 11 months!
And now I need to build a team. Would you be willing to come along side me and partner with me in this ministry? I want your companionship in this journey. I need warriors with me for the sake of the Gospel. Those who want to see the world changed!
