I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that he came to earth to live a perfect life. He died a cruel death on the cross, was buried, and he rose again. He conquered death and paid for our sins so that we can spend eternity with him. As a disciple of Christ, it is not only my joy, but my obligation to share this good news of Jesus with the world. An evangelist, by definition, is someone who shares good news. I have the greatest news of all! 

Before graduating from Freed Hardeman University, I had a clear plan of what I wanted to do with my life. I was one semester away from graduating with my bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I intended to move home and get a teaching job in small town Kentucky, settle down, and have the life I’d always dreamed of living. At the same time, my dear friend Lydia Todd had the dream of traveling overseas to do mission work. She invited me to join her in her efforts to share the gospel as a missionary. Her boldness and passion were convincing, but I had far too many doubts. My initial thoughts were that this would never be possible. We were not old enough, smart enough, wealthy enough, (insert any other barrier I could come up with) to do something so extreme. I thought we would get little to no support, nor did I truly think we would be capable of making a real impact on the kingdom as two young single female missionaries.

However, after reaching out to the Church in London, we discovered what a need there truly was for this work to be done. After talking with the Estes church of Christ about overseeing our team of two, we were encouraged to learn that this seemed to be in line with God’s plan. As we put more effort into planning this ministry, the more individuals and congregations decided to support us. By August 2023, we were ready to move to London, England and spread the gospel.

We had several predetermined objectives. One was to teach the Make Disciples Training Program (MDTP) to the Christian women in London. The purpose of this course is to motivate and equip Christians to study the Bible with others and make disciples in their everyday lives. We also wanted to make contacts and start Bible studies with non-Christians in the community who were young females like us. We decided we could meet them by hosting secular events in London like paint parties and movie nights to form relationships. Through friendship evangelism, we hoped to convert souls to Christ. We also intended to host a weekly discussion group in our home where girls could discuss big questions like our purpose in life and whether or not there is a God. We wanted a safe space for people to search for answers and discover truth. 

We moved on the first day of September, expecting to hit the ground running. We were met with a small group of faithful Christians who supported and lifted us up. We were able to begin teaching MDTP to a group of women and seeing the fruit from that was absolutely priceless. However, all other endeavors to evangelize to the community seemed futile. No one was coming to our events and even if they did, they were only interested in the fun aspect of the gathering, never interested in learning more about the gospel. I felt so discouraged and really questioned why I had even come.

Trusting God, after four months of effort, we realized that what we were doing was not working. In John 4:35, Jesus says that the fields are white for harvest. We believed the souls were there, so we must not be looking in the right places. No doubt we scattered seed, and I pray that God will do much in the hearts of the soil where seeds were planted, but we decided to try something new and copy a model we had heard being used all around the world. We started teaching an English class using the Bible as the material. Dozens of people read scripture for the first time, came to church, and many Bible studies were had through this ministry. Another unexpected way that God was able to show us souls ready to hear the truth was through the internet. We posted on apps used in the city to share about social gatherings and events,  and we simply asked who wanted to learn more about the Bible or God or faith or truth. Within the first week we got 10 responses. We started having Bible studies daily with those who reached out to us with questions wanting to know more about God‘s word. He took away every reason I could’ve used to say that this was me doing the work and converting souls. I am simply a vessel used by God as he changes the hearts of people toward him.

Watching someone discover the love of Christ for the first time changed me deeply and reminded me what beautiful news I have to share. There were women, deeply hurt by men in their past, who never would’ve been able to receive such teaching from a man. They genuinely needed to be taught by a woman where they could feel comfortable with and open up. There were young people who felt like they could relate to me because of our similar life stage and were more open to considering the Bible‘s authority because of our relationship. There were so many ways that God used me specifically where I was and who I was to reach the people he intended to reach.

2 Corinthians 2:1-5 assures me that it is okay to be afraid when sharing the message. Do it scared. Paul did it scared he said, and he said that it all the more pointed people to Christ instead of himself. Acts 8:1-4 tells me that men and women experiencing extreme tribulation can still preach the word. Individuals will come to know Christ as a result. The testimony given by the woman at the well in John chapter 4 is the reason many Samaritans believed. God has given women a beautiful ability to share and understand, uniquely valuable in connecting a starving world with its life giving Savior.

We only stayed in London for a year. I have moved back to the US and am now working at a children’s home in western Kentucky. I got addicted to discipleship and I’m now able to influence the lives of children for God every day. My mindset has shifted and I’m so much more open to ways that I can serve in the Kingdom where I am. Yes, at my new congregation I am teaching children’s classes at VBS and offering to bring food for the meals. I am also working with a small group of Christians who have begun meeting periodically before Sunday morning worship to discuss how we can evangelize to the people who are coming into our building. We are discussing and sharing the load of having Bible studies with non-Christians whom we meet. We are intentionally searching for ways to evangelize in our community and to use the outreach efforts that already exist here in a more impactful way. I’ve been organizing and inviting young adults that I meet to social events for people in my age group to get more connected with the Christians our age in the church. I’m using my apartment to host events for this age group. I’m able to pour into the teens in the youth group and am teaching a teen girls’ class in the fall. I’m having one on one Bible studies and trying to convert souls to Christ, connecting them with more Christians who love them and can help them grow as disciples.

None of this is because of me. God has shown me that very clearly. He gives each of us opportunities to serve; all we have to do is say yes! You could be a missionary overseas or you could strengthen and grow the Kingdom in your hometown. You do what you can. You get creative. You change when things aren’t working. You obey Him. You try. That’s what pleases God and makes us more like him. Isn’t that what we all want? 

 

About the author: Kayley Wadlington is  a 24 year old Freed Hardeman graduate living in Paducah, Kentucky. She loves antiquing, hanging out with kids, and traveling! Currently she works for New Pathways for Children where they minister to the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children who live there. She worships with the Lone Oak church of Christ each week and love growing and serving with the body of Christ here.