Sending Church: Abundant Life Baptist Church Troy, MO

Field: Creative Access Nation

Elaina had served on multiple mission trips in a variety of countries: the Ukraine, Canada, Panama, and Zambia. So when she arrived in a small country in Asia for yet another mission trip, she asked herself the questions she had asked in the previous locations. “Is this the ministry that the Lord would have me to work with? Can I partner with the missionaries that are already here? Can I be useful in this ministry?” The answers were, “Yes, yes, and yes.” She felt the Lord could us her in that area, in that country, in that ministry.

Elaina considered herself to be a pretty average person with nothing unique about her life. But her father, also her pastor, had a great influence on her life. She listened to his teaching all her life, and she saw his example of a heart sold out for the Lord. As she grew in her faith, she also grew to have a heart that desired to serve the Lord.

She was exposed to missions from the time she was young. Her family hosted many missionaries in their home, and she attended many mission conferences. She loved hearing of the different cultures and the variety of ways for giving the gospel. That fascination developed into a desire to serve in cross-cultural ministry. She began preparing for ministry as a nurse and traveling to other countries to visit mission fields. When she visited that small country in Asia, Elaina felt an immediate connection with the missionaries there. One of the families was supported by her home church, so she had started building a relationship with them even before the trip. She saw how her nursing experience could benefit the hospital ministry. She was able to begin establishing friendships with the local people even though she was in the country for only two weeks. She is eager to return to the field to get involved with the church, the hospital, village ministries, the school, and Bible studies with the women.

When asked how one can develop a heart for missions, this “pretty average” young lady responded that you need to have a sincere heart for the Lord, actively serve in your local church, clearly see the desperate need of the lost around you, and see how God can use the interests and talents God has given you. A heart for missions must be cultivated because there are a lot of distractions, and a lot of them look very interesting and enticing right now, particularly in the United States. “We have it very comfortable here, but ultimately the only thing that really matters is what’s done for Christ and a life that’s lived for Him.” Maybe she’s not that average after all.