BSU summer missionary maintains friendship with new Panamanian believer

By Lindsey Williams
Writing specialist

Hannah Zeigler is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and one of many Baptist Student Union (BSU) summer missionaries who committed their summers to Christ.

After a fruitful mission trip with GenSend to Toronto, Canada, in 2024, Zeigler desired to devote another summer to missions, but she understood the trip would mean precious time lost with her 16-year-old sister. Even so, she felt “a great call to share the Gospel” and believed summer missions was too unique an opportunity for students like herself to miss.

Stuck with this difficult choice, Zeigler attended the 2024 BSU Fall Conference with her heart wide open. As she listened to a row of panelists — other students who had dedicated their summers to missions — one panelist in particular stood out to Zeigler. She had struggled with the same quandary: missing an entire summer with family to follow the Lord’s direction.

“I can’t remember her exact words,” Zeigler shared, “but I remember her response being along the lines of, ‘If Jesus could give His life on the cross, I can spend some time away from my family for the sake of the Gospel.’ I immediately knew the Lord was speaking to me and that I would be surrendering my next summer.”

Panama

With “a huge heart” for collegiate ministry, Zeigler was excited to connect with Panamanian university students. On campus, the local missionaries lead an outreach inviting students to their weekly English Club, where they buy lunch for students and meet with them. The lunch not only provides a way to get to know the students personally and aid their English skills, but each meeting also closes with a Bible study.

Zeigler recounted a typical English Club: After an hour of getting to know the students, the team acted out Bible stories as Zeigler or other summer missionaries read the story aloud and asked the students challenging questions.

“During one of the first weeks,” Zeigler recalled, “I sat across from a student named Johann. We were having a basic conversation when he randomly asked me if I was a Christian. I don’t believe he was even aware that the English Club ended in a Bible study, so I thought it was very interesting that he asked me that.” When Zeigler confirmed her faith, she asked the same of Johann, to which he responded that he was not a Christian. But his curiosity led to numerous questions about her life and how she grew up.

By the end of the Bible study, Johann had decided to give his life to Christ.

Zeigler watched firsthand as the local missionaries connected Johann with their partner campus ministry. Each week, Johann came back to the English Club eager for discipleship and fellowship with other believers. He even publicly proclaimed his faith in Jesus online. Because Zeigler openly communicated her faith to him as a new friend, he continued to share with her what he learned from reading his Bible. In only one summer, Zeigler saw Johann move from no faith to an overflowing relationship with the Lord.

“The coolest thing is that even though the summer is over, we still talk today,” said Zeigler. “It was incredible to have a front row seat to watching the Lord move in someone’s life. Ultimately, it really is the Lord Who stirs someone’s heart when the time is right. I learned that I love helping someone progress a skill while using that time to share the Gospel with them. I also learned the importance of friendship post-sharing.”

Back home

Johann continues to send Zeigler pictures of church events he attends and what he has learned. Admittedly, as all believers can confess, Johann shared for this article that there are days he does not get it right, days when he neglects prayer, and days he wakes up ungrateful. “I feel guilty (for those days),” said Johann, “however, I know that even so, God loves me because He has given me a lot of peace in my life.”

Zeigler requested prayer for Johann to find a strong spiritual community that will encourage him on his walk with the Lord.

“Since returning from Panama,” Zeigler affirmed, “this past summer has encouraged me to leave the salvation of others in His hands and to be encouraged that He is working in every interaction. Johann’s story specifically has challenged new believers, who may be nervous to share the Gospel, that it can be simple. I have realized how powerful God’s Word is and that it can stand on its own.”

Zeigler worried that returning to “regular” life would take her away from the focus of the Great Commission. But the worry faded once she became involved with a young adult women’s Bible study full of new and eager believers like Johann.

“It has been beautiful to watch God’s Word transform their lives,” said Zeigler. “This summer spent in Panama was one of the best summers of my life, and I am forever thankful the Lord allowed me to experience it.”