My Call to This Ministry

Not a New Passion

For years I have had a heart for the poor and a passion for justice. When I look back, it must have begun in high school, with my first mission trip to Mexico. As I crossed the border into Tijuana I remember being in shock as I saw poverty for the first time. The following feelings of alternating sadness, rage, and a desire to DO something has not left me since.

In college, as I was surrounded by people of privilege (like myself), I learned of a different kind of poverty: a lack not of material wealth but of spiritual life. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the UW gave me a gentle tug past my comfort zone and soon I was an evangelist in the dorms.

As I tried to imagine my future during those years, I saw myself as a human rights lawyer, defending the poor in some of the most oppressive conditions. But a new place in my heart was opening up for the poor and oppressed who also do not know Jesus.

From the Rich to the Poor

This year I interned with InterVarsity as a campus staff worker, and very early on felt like I really belonged to be ministering to "the least of these", rather than the affluent college student who can choose from among scores of careers and nearly as many religions. What about those who have no opportunity to learn about Jesus if they wanted to? The campus is an important mission field, but for me the call is to a different one.

As I decided to put my law career on hold indefinitely, I began researching missions agencies. I didn't have a specific country that I felt led to at the time, because I knew God would make me fall in love with whoever I was ministering to. But I did want to go where the need was great, and where others are hesitant to go.

Servant Partners

I came across Servant Partners through a few friends who have experience with the organization, and through their web site. The vision and values resonated so well with me that I knew I would go with them. They follow in Jesus' footsteps, living among the urban poor, meeting both physical and spiritual needs. The commitment is a long one, so as to learn the language and culture and become deeply involved in a community. The goals are new vibrant churches, reconciliation among peoples, new believers, new passionate leaders from among the communities.

The Need in Bangkok

I heard next about the Bangkok, Thailand field site. Young girls under ten years of age, because of desperate poverty and injustice on many levels, are sold or kidnapped into forced prostitution. Millions in the city live in luxury; millions of others live in third-world conditions. Less than 2% are Christian, and these almost exclusively in the upper classes.

Santisuk Partners, the Servant Partners outreach in Bangkok, is starting house churches in the slums, where most Christians in that country are afraid to set foot. As I partner with them, I will live in the slum community I am serving, building relationships and sharing the reason for my care for them.

Holistic Ministry

The aim is not to only bring the Gospel and neglect every other need, but to minister holistically. A micro-enterprise development program is up and running, training and equipping men and women to start their own businesses and escape from poverty. One missionary on our team is helping a community to organize and begin a savings group in order to gain legal land ownership instead of squatting. Other ideas are for outreaches to groups such as alcoholics or prostitutes, and training of leaders who can create new cell churches and ministries.

A Privilege, Not Sacrifice

I am excited to be following Jesus to this place and expect to see him do great things in me and through me. I can't imagine something I would rather be doing with my life right now, and I thank God for giving me the courage to follow my passion. While this life I am choosing may seem like a huge risk or sacrifice to some, for me it the greatest privilege I can imagine.

I look forward to sharing more about my experiences and the work of God that I will get to witness. I hope that through my writings and photos you will also have your eyes opened to life in the slums, a condition prevalent world-wide, as well as share with me the joy and struggles of believing God for transformation. Please keep me, and the Thai I will live with and love, in your prayers.