Answering the Call
Stephanie's journey to becoming a long-term missionary.
“The Father has taken me on a sweet journey of trust and faith in Him,” Stephanie Compton states as she reflects on the five year journey to her faithfully serving in full time missions.
While Stephanie is only beginning her journey as a fully time missionary through a trusted mission organization, her time with them had started all the way back in 2017. A close friend of Stephanie’s mentioned the organization and the faithful work they were carrying out at in multiple countries across the globe. Knowing Stephanie’s heart for serving globally, the friend urged her to consider partnering with the work they were doing. Feeling as though the timing wasn’t right, Stephanie tucked away the recommendation.
Two years later, the Lord opened the door and Stephanie was granted the opportunity to serve with the organization through a six-week program. The experience gave Stephanie insight into what it looked like to serve as a missionary. When the six weeks came to an end, she felt the Lord calling her back to the states to finish out her degree in Elementary Education.
In 2020, Stephanie was armed with a formal education and a desire to teach when she was granted another opportunity to work with the organization. This time it would be a two-year stint in Europe teaching English in schools. Stephanie was thrilled and felt so clearly that God had led her to this exact time and place in order to use her gifts to further His kingdom.
When the position was suddenly closed, Stephanie was devastated. The clear call God had placed on her heart for missions seemed as though it was for nothing. After a time of reconciling her disappointments with God, Stephanie found joy in serving God in a different capacity.
One day, while working as a barista at a coffee shop here in the Springs, Stephanie once again felt the call from God to once again consider doing Kingdom work full time overseas. The next day, a friend who worked for the organization reached out to Stephanie, asking if she’d consider applying for a nine-month missionary program in Thailand. At first, Stephanie was apprehensive. She’d gotten her hopes before only for them to crash down around her. But she felt the Lord’s prompting and decided to apply.
Stephanie was able to talk with the person who oversaw the program she’d applied for. During their conversation of what serving with them would look like, the supervisor paused and asked Stephanie a question she was expecting: “Why are you only considering short-term missions? It seems like you have the hear for so much more.”
Stephanie mulled over the question all the following day. When a friend at her Community Group who’d also served with the organization posed the exact same question: “Why not go long-term?” Stephanie was quick to come up with excuses. But the question stuck with her.
A few days later, Stephanie received a call telling her that she was accepted into the nine-week program. But that wasn’t all, the program supervisor informed her that leadership would love to have her come on long-term if she was willing. It was then that it was cemented that God was calling Stephanie to serving longer than nine months.
Stephanie gave a verbal commitment to long-term missions over the phone that day, in response there was lots of cheering and even a cowbell rang as celebration from staff. Stephanie felt all that excitement and more – God was calling her to be long-term missionary work!
After being given a few options of places she could serve, Stephanie landed on Laos where she’ll serve local students and even host a few in her home.
Stephanie's five-year journey from a recommendation to becoming a long-term missionary in Laos exemplifies faith and trust in God's plan. Despite setbacks, the divine call persisted. Her unwavering commitment led to a joyous decision to serve long-term, where she'll impact lives and fulfill her calling in Laos.
Let's unite in prayer for Stephanie, asking for her impactful presence in Laos, meaningful connections, and God's unwavering provision throughout her journey.
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