One of the monthly features on the Eurasia Community Blog is about our Financial Partnership Development program, led by Jenn Fortner. In FPD, our associates receive small group training and coaching as they invite individuals and churches to partner with them financially in the work God has called to in Eurasia. Today’s story is from Nicole, an associate who Is currently in the process of raising funds to come to Eurasia.
Last July I walked into a church I had never attended and timidly peered around a room full of strangers. A young man walked up to me and introduced himself.
“My name is Nicole,” I said.
He smiled. “Do you know what your name means?” I shook my head. “It means victory of the people.”
I have carried that with me the last seven months as I have walked through one of the most challenging seasons of my life.
Raising funds to come to Eurasia has pressed me outside of my comfort zone in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and has illuminated God’s invitation to “walk by faith and not by sight.”
In January I began to sense an urgency to make church contacts, but I also felt like my resources were limited as a twenty-one-year-old who was raised outside of the AG. One night I stopped at a friend’s house so we could carpool to an event, and was invited inside to join their family for supper.
As we sat down to eat, their dad turned to me and asked, “So, Nicole, what does life look like for you right now?” I briefly told them about my last twelve months, to which he replied, “Oh yeah, I know all about Live Dead. I’m a pastor at an Assemblies of God church, and we have a speaker coming in a few weeks to share about global missions; why don’t you give a 5-minute window!”
Just like that, God spontaneously began networking me into the local AG community.
Admittedly I still have days where I feel like throwing in the towel; not every pastor is so easy to persuade. But then I remember the name God chose for me: victorious.
He has literally declared a promise over my life that through Him I am empowered to overcome every obstacle, be that fear, finances, or contacting churches.
Not everyone has an earthly name with a meaning or origin, but as God’s adopted sons and daughters we have new identities and access to His promises. He calls us chosen, loved, and co-heirs in Christ’s glory. And He promises good things like peace, joy, and deliverance.
I have learned in this season of itineration to lean on these blessed assurances and to walk confidently knowing that if Christ victoriously conquered death, He is certainly capable of helping me conquer my budget!
To help workers like Nicole get to Eurasia so they can share the good news of Jesus, we encourage you to give liberally to missions within your local church. You can also give securely to the Eurasia Community right here. Thanks so much for being a part of this community. We couldn’t do this without you.