My Journey to Missions - Emily Thompson
Over the last 4 years, I spent time learning to know who Jesus is, and as if I was working on a personal relationship. I began to perceive how His voice and His thoughts overcame mine in prayer. And because He was answering me in my quest, I started to understand the decisions I needed to make in order to follow Him and do His will.
This led me to realize that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be; I wasn’t doing what He knew was best for me; I wasn’t close to the people I needed to be in this time of growth. As I grew closer to Jesus, I naturally wanted more for my life. Eventually, I learned of Youth With a Mission, or YWAM. I realized that YWAM was not only something I had longed to do before I even truly found Christ, but also a calling on my life at that moment. It was something I needed to say yes to.
Last year I went on a 6-month mission trip with YWAM where I daily learned deeply about God, got to know people spiritually, and understood myself better because of WHO God is. It was the best experience I’ve ever had.
But I also knew I couldn’t have this faith experience only once. I recognized that I wanted again to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. When the YWAM base in Perth, Western Australia, announced that they were hosting a School of Worship, I felt this answered my question of how to serve in missions again. Music and worship is my faith passion, and I long to learn more about living a lifestyle of worship. Will I continue in missions after this next venture? Prayer and seeking the Lord’s will is the best thing for all of us, and I believe that God has placed a desire in my heart that has far exceeded my logistical thinking.
Editor's Note
Emily Thompson was born, baptized, and began her Christian journey at Hope Lutheran Church. She loves music, took piano instruction and played the saxophone. During Lent she sang in Hope’s choir. In 2024 she participated in YWAM’s Discipleship Training School where she learned to stretch herself “by serving in a cross-cultural setting, spending six months centering [her] life in God.” The program encourages participants to “seek personal breakthroughs.” To learn more about YWAM’s programs, go to ywam.org.
A PRAYER FOR EMILY WHEN SHE RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA: “Almighty God, guide Emily through the uncertainties and unknowns in her next phase of serving the Church that Jesus is creating. Illuminate her path, bless her passion for worship, and help her to trust in Your plan for her life, knowing that You have a purpose for every challenge and opportunity she will face. Amen.”