So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, for you had become very dear to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:8
God used this verse to call me to the mission field this Spring while I was wrestling with counting the cost of ministry. The verse caused me to look back on the past couple years, my involvement in The Navigator ministry on my campus and even my involvement at a local church. He reminded me of all the leaders who took time out of their day to spend one on one time with me either in the word, or in the application of the word, or just to talk about life. It was in these meetings that I learned about God’s grace (why it’s so amazing), servant-leadership, and what it means to be the church (the beauty of authentic relationships in Christ). These individuals all spurred me on to not keep this knowledge to myself, but to share what I’ve learned with younger students. In time, as they continued to be patient with me, God began to break my heart for people and to give me the burden to share Him with others. I became very passionate about discipleship, investing my life into the lives of others that they might find their purpose in Jesus Christ and experience God satisfying their deepest desires through Him.
I graduated this past May and have been given an opportunity to give back to students what God so graciously gave me while I was in college--hope. I’ve been invited to help launch a ministry at Bowie State University, a Historical Black College/University in Bowie, Maryland. Due to the lack of campus ministries at this school, students have little opportunity to understand how eternal life in Christ connects with them as African American collegians. I am excited to build relationships with them as I intentionally spend time with them, not only sharing the gospel with them but also my own life as many others have with me. I will also help train students to do the same with their peers. Our hope is that we can build a foundation in these students that they can build on for the rest of their lives, leaving a legacy of changed lives behind them.
Because my job is a full-time ministerial position I have the responsibility of raising my support this year. In order to report on campus on time (by August 15), I need to raise 75% of my monthly support. I’ve been asking people to prayerfully consider partnering with me by giving monthly gifts of $50-200 a month.
If you are interested in joining my financial support team, you can click on my picture at the top right corner of the page.
Your Partner in the Gospel,
Laura Welch
