By Jeremiah Worten
Correspondent
I grew up as a missionary kid in Asia. I was adopted from a young age into a family that loves the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and has given their lives in service to Him.
As I look back at own my life, I can see how God has been with me from the beginning. I am a walking, breathing testament to faithful men and women proclaiming the goodness of Jesus Christ to me.
The Lord has also given me a desire to serve Him, and I am reminded every day of His love and grace that washes me. I know that no matter what I do, I have nothing to offer on my own, but He gives freely of Himself to me. His free gift cannot only remain in me, but must be shared with whomever I encounter.
If someone were to ask me, “What does it take to serve on the mission field?” I would tell them that it takes dying to self each day and surrendering all you think you know to what God has called you to do. It takes someone who is adaptable, moldable, and willing to learn and try new things that are outside of their comfort zone. Being teachable is essential because in most cases you are doing a complete life change and so much will be unfamiliar.
Finally, I believe it takes patience, which is probably the most impactful characteristic one needs while serving on the mission field.
Ever since coming to the U.S. for college, I have been yearning to go back to the field. The food, the colors, the people, the memories – I miss it all dearly. I come from a proud second-generation missionary family that has served the peoples of Southeast Asia with love and respect for many years, and I believe that I was called at a young age to be a missionary, too.
I am often distracted and comforted by what the world offers, and I sometimes become complacent. But through God’s goodness and provision, my eyes have been opened to what is at stake. Eternity is at play, and we have the privilege to be part of the greatest story ever told: God Almighty calling back a lost and dying people to Himself, making Himself known so that “the earth will be filled with His glory as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab. 2:14)
Jeremiah Worten is a senior at William Carey University where he is majoring in Cross-Cultural Business Management. He served as a BSU summer missionary on the South Pacific Islands Team in Guam.
