[content_block id=18282 slug=connect-november-2017]
New member Amelia* shares about her interest in mission.
I grew up in a Christian family in Drumnadrochit and Inverness and became a Christian when I was eleven. I’m one of nine children and was homeschooled along with my siblings. My interest in mission in Africa with a focus on Islamic peoples started when I was sixteen.
Exploring mission
I attended the Free North Church in Inverness and when I moved to Aberdeen to study nursing I joined Bon Accord Free Church. During this time I went on a short term outreach with Operation Mobilisation to Muslims in London and was involved with the Christian Union (CU) at my University. I found that the CU was an exciting group to be part of, as it challenged my ideas of evangelism and gave me an enthusiasm for outreach.
Excited and privileged
David MacPherson, the minister at Amelia’s* church, Bon Accord Free Church, Aberdeen, shares his thoughts on mission:
I remember being asked by the staff at AIM’s Nottingham office, “What do the leadership at Bon Accord think of Amelia’s desire to serve in Africa?” The words that I felt – and still feel – capture our thinking were ‘excited and privileged’. It has been and continues to be exciting to accompany Amelia on her journey of discovering and being faithful to God’s call to missionary service. And it is also a privilege to play a small part – through our connection and support of Amelia – in God’s big plans for the wonderful continent of Africa. But I guess with the excitement and privilege comes responsibility and we look forward, in partnership with AIM, to discerning and providing care and support for Amelia in whatever future God has for her.
Experiencing mission
I worked as a nurse in Aberdeen for a few years and during this time I visited Kampala, Uganda for a month, volunteering with Dwelling Places, a charity which rescues street children. During this month I became interested in joining AIM and continued thinking about long term service in Africa. In preparation for this I have just finished a nursing course on tropical diseases in London. I have also been accepted to Oak Hill Bible College in London to study cross-cultural theology for a year. At the moment I don’t know where I will be serving, but I am excited to join AIM as a member and trust that God will continue to lead me in this.
* name changed as ministry options are considered