At Experience Mission, we are passionate about seeing people make missions a lifestyle, not just a one-week or six-month experience. Our IMMERSION program gives young adults the chance to go, but also the challenge to come back and make a difference in their home context.
We’re proud of our growing network of young adults who are choosing to live boldly. If you're considering joining an IMMERSION team, we challenge you to ask the question, “Who will I become?”
Meet Julia! Julia left a career in marketing to "live the local way" in a small, desert school as part of a 3-month IMMERSION team in Namibia. She had always felt a gentle nudge to serve in Africa, but had no idea what that could look like long-term. She just knew she had to GO.
Although there were times when she felt unqualified, Julia moved forward with confidence through the doors that God was opening. She set big, bold goals for fundraising and was able to raise enough money to cover the cost of her trip within just a few months. Experience Mission even featured one of Julia’s fundraising initiatives (a 5k event in her community) on our IMMERSION Blog!
The preparation process for IMMERSION felt like a journey in itself, not to mention the growth that she experienced during the program. Julia said,
“IMMERSION honestly changed the direction of my life. I may have thought I knew what I needed but God knew what He was doing putting me on a trip to Africa. I was able to find out the truth about myself and my identity in Christ and in turn walk alongside others to give them hope. The program helped me find my passion for people, the body of Christ, and communities all around the world.”
As she has transitioned to life back at home, Julia has continued to make a difference in her own community. Taking the lessons she learned on IMMERSION and applying them to everyday life. It’s this kind of intentional living that makes us excited because it allows the impact of the experience to stretch far beyond the trip.
"Post-IMMERSION I wanted to make sure to come back to America with a Kingdom worldview. A missional mindset. I wanted to glorify God in my work. Currently, I work at my alma mater (West Texas A&M) with international students where I am able to talk about my experiences in Africa through IMMERSION and relate to them on a new level. I understand the challenges they face while missing home and learning a new culture. I love being able to teach and work with international students because they are so eager and I am able to bring a new light into their experience.”
Since returning from IMMERSION, Julia has had hopes of returning to Africa. She went back for a short visit at the end of 2016, but it wasn’t quite enough. She felt God was calling her there more long-term. In the past several months, more doors have opened for Julia to walk through and she will continue serving alongside EM’s staff in South Africa in the coming months!
We asked Julia, "What would you say to others who may feel a call to GO?"
“God truly is a redeemer. He can use you. IMMERSION will allow you to experience his love and see his plan in a new way.”
We couldn’t agree more. :)
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