Every year, Global Action team members come and go. One or two years may seem a short time, but often this can be a turning point in their life: a time when God opens their eyes to the spiritual needs of the world and changes their direction in life.
We interviewed a few of these team members to find out what they are doing and how their time with OM made an impact.
Greg is now assistant pastor in the church at St Sébastien where he was Global Action team leader. He is also studying part-time to earn a Master’s degree in Theology and Apologetics.
“Working with OM has impacted my life because this was where I met my wife, but for sure I didn’t join OM for that reason! I also saw the spiritual need in the Western part of France. Growing up in Alsace was so different. Working with OM gives you the chance to have responsibilities and to make mistakes in leadership. This helps when you enter into a ministry.”
Florence works alongside Greg in the church while studying accounting.
“OM was a real school of life for me. I discovered what it means to be an authentic Christian who can draw people to Christ and how to work with Christians who are different from me. I discovered much more about the Bible…”
Johannes still lives in Nantes as a missionary, and works regularly alongside OM staff. After finishing with OM he founded a student Christian association which has integrated into Agape France (Campus Crusade for Christ).
“Life in an OM team was not always rosy, but it helped me to adapt to a simple lifestyle, to make myself available to others, to depend on God for material things… OM helped me see the importance of linking local church involvement with service for the wider body of Christ in the city.”
Jessisca is home in Malaysia working with young people and as a part-time translator with the Summer Institute of Linguistics. She is also doing part-time study at a theological seminary in Hebrew and Homiletics.
“Spending two years in France was living proof that we are never too young or too old to be Ambassadors for Christ or to learn new things for ourselves. It is a life time experience that will help you to see the rest of your journey with God in a new perspective. Two years away from our “comfort zone” may seem a scary experience but at the end, we know that if we are doing it for the Lord, our labour will not be in vain.”
Adele is currently back in France, doing an exchange year in Tours as part of her university studies. She has been a leader in the student Christian movement in her university in Edinburgh.
“It was definitely an amazing experience doing Global Action. I learnt lots about who I really am, in terms of my personality but also my identity in Christ. During my year with OM I realised that as missionaries one of our main priorities is to make contacts and friendships where we can share Jesus. So when it was time to start university I recognised the great opportunity that I had to get alongside so many different people and seek to share Christ.”
article written by Maureen Ma, June 2006