HE SAID GO

By Andre a Keele Processing and Communications Coordinator Office of Volunteer Ministries – North American Division

HE SAID GO

Who is the most courageous person that you know?

What motivated them? Maybe Alex Honnold climbing El Capitan with no ropes. Maybe protestors putting their lives on the line for long-overdue justice and equality. Maybe a relative or friend on the frontlines of fighting coronavirus as a healthcare worker.

“THE BEST PLACE

TO START IS ON

YOUR KNEES. YOU

AND GOD, ALONE

WITH THE WORD.

YOU AND GOD WITH

OTHERS. ASK HIM

WHAT HIS MISSION

IS FOR YOU.”

Perhaps the more you have to lose, the more courage is required. If that is true, then Jesus is probably the top contender for the world’s most courageous person. We can’t fully comprehend everything He risked on His earth-saving mission, but let’s start with the basics:

• His Home in Heaven — a perfect, safe place to live. • The presence and connection with His Father. • Angel friends He’d known for ages. • Guaranteed eternal life. • Being loved, respected and known for who He really was in the universe.

Why would Jesus risk all that to enter our very dangerous, uncomfortable, unsanitary, chaotic world? Because He loved us. And His Father loved us. (John 3:16) It was a daring mission, and would have been totally impossible for anyone except God Himself. But despite the massive risks, Jesus courageously stepped up to the challenge to advance the Kingdom of Love, and to ensure a future of hope and abundant life for anyone who wanted to be a part of that Kingdom. But it involves a cross—that’s the place where we accept Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and give control of our lives back to Him. And when that happens…you become the most courageous person others may know. It’s not really you, of course, it’s Jesus in you, leading you to a mission of love, inviting people back into His kingdom--one cup of water, one day in a classroom, one Bible study, or social media post, or grant proposal, or intentional conversation--at a time.

Where do I st art ?

The best place to start is on your knees. You and God, alone with the Word. You and God with others. Ask Him what His mission is for you. Ask Him to guide you as you look for opportunities to serve.

Start at home. Practice an attitude of service and humility with your family, friends, and co-workers. Check on your neighbors. Find out what the needs are in your community and how you can be involved. Join your church or school in community service projects. These are excellent places for courageous missions. However, many of you have done this, but you’re ready for a little more.

You’ll read in this issue the stories of those whose lives have been changed as they let God lead them to serve as a student missionary. They would be the first to admit that it’s a sacrifice. It’s not easy to leave home and risk safety and even a secure future. But they will also tell you that what God gives in return is so much more. You may also notice that many student missionaries return home with eyes and hearts even more open to the needs in their communities, ready and motivated to make a difference.

How can I become a st udent miss ion ary ? What’s the cost ?

If you are a student at an Adventist university, contact your The opportunities in the U.S. and Guam-Micronesia Campus Ministries and they can go on this journey with Mission take care of accommodations, insurance (travel/ you to help you explore your options and prepare to serve. accident and illness coverage), a living allowance to cover If you are a student at a public university or have graduated, food and personal expenses, and sometimes travel to or maybe not in school right now, you’re still in good hands! and from the location. The main cost is usually the travel There is a ministry in the North American Division that exexpenses, if it is required. We encourage fundraising ists to serve you—the Office of Volunteer Ministries. You can to cover this expense if you are not able to pay for it on find the steps for the application process and how to contact your own. Also, the Sammy Gurule Memorial Missions the staff for more information at hesaidgo.org.* fund can provide up to $1,500 reimbursement for travel Where can I go? What about COVID-19? American heritage. (You can find out how to apply on our

There is a great list of world-wide volunteer opportuniwebsite or call us.) ties posted through Adventist Volunteer Service. (To find them, go to How lon g are these hesaidgo.org, Long-Term Missions, opport unities ? and choose Opportunities.) You Most of these mission opporcan check them out any time, but Off ice of tunities are for about a school right now, there are no guarantees Vol unteer Ministr ies year—9-12 months. What?! Why about the timing for many parts of on Social Med ia: would someone take all that time the world because of the pandemic. FACEBOOK: off to serve? Glad you asked. Hope

Even with the major health confacebook.com/VolunteerMinistriesNAD fully what you read in this issue cerns and travel limitations, we are INSTAGRAM: @nadvolunteers can help answer that question, but excited to give some extra love and mission-attention to Guam-Micronesia Mission, as well as the United YOUTUBE: Volunteer Ministries North American Division of SDA one of the best reasons is that God works best through relationships. That’s why Jesus spent 33 years on States and Canada—all here in the territory of our home Division of BLOG: hesaidgoblog.org our planet instead of a few days or weeks. When you allow God to the Seventh-day Adventist church use you and your time to develop (North American Division). intentional relationships in the

Guam-Micronesia Mission role in which you’re serving, you’re includes Northern Mariana Islands, more likely to make a long-term impact. It also gives Federates States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and Guam. You can impact the next generation of these Pacific island leaders as an elementary or high school teacher, office assistant, maintenance worker, or even videographer. Most of these you time to experience and learn a little more about the culture and community, grow your relationship with God outside of your comfort zone, and develop new skills and confidence in leadership. positions require two years of college, and there is a spe I pray that as you experience the transforming love of cial orientation given once you arrive to help prepare you. Jesus and are open to His call, you will become more couThese opportunities are posted on Adventist Volunteer rageous than you ever thought you could be—wherever Service, but the quickest way to check them out is to visit He may lead you to serve. www.gmmsda.org. expenses for approved volunteers of Latino or Native

The United States currently has around 60 positions “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, bapfor volunteer missionaries, from a youth internship in the tizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and Rocky Mountains to urban missions in Spokane to teachof the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything ing assistants in Hawaii, and several task force assistant that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you dean positions. always, to the end of the age.” – Matt. 28:19-20 (NRSV)