Off to France: EFCA Pioneer Lays Foundation
The stir of soul
—by Samantha Allgood
“Of all the passions that God has given you, we often see missions as a place for only one type of person,” said 22-year-old Evette Waters, recent college graduate and Emerging Black Leaders intern in West Orange, N.J. “We feel like there are only certain gifts and certain talents, and there are only certain personalities that can be good at mission work, but that’s not true.”
Last June, Waters began the ReachGlobal missionary training track, a process that is ongoing as support-raising continues. Fostering a growing interest for France, it was during the spring break mission trip of Water’s sophomore year at Philadelphia Biblical University that her calling was confirmed. “That’s when I felt a confirmation from the Lord, that He would use my interest in France—that I could go into the avenue of missions. It would bring full-circle my interest in the country,” she said.
The very first
As a female African-American, Waters will be the first African-American to go through the training process and be placed as a global missionary, an EFCA pioneer. She is looking to complete her support-raising by May 2012, at which time she will leave for Toulouse, France, if her visa and funds are ensured.
“There’s so much diversity there,” Waters explained, excited to share the gospel and build community in a rich urban setting of cultural mélange. “It takes a lot of courage to be a supporter of urban ministry … there are challenges to urban settings,” she said. “People are a lot more transient, and the ministering looks quite different … but at the same time, there is so much potential for reaching the people.”
Making disciples
Waters will minister under the leadership of two ReachGlobal missionaries, along with a diverse group of evangelists, including those from Germany and Hong Kong. The team will work primarily with a multicultural church plant, creating relationships and making disciples through different avenues. Waters will also work to build relationships with those in her French classes, as she faces the challenge of learning the necessary language.
“Follow the Lord, and He always makes things clear,” Waters said, finding the strength to surrender each trial by abiding in the Lord and finding her peace in Him. “It’s a new thing for me … it’s a challenge just in itself to know how to pursue it,” she said.
With great excitement and expectancy Waters continues her preparation, sharing in the call with many whom have yet to embrace it. “If God is calling you, He will show you and give you a direction,” Waters encouraged. “He will give you people surrounding you that can support you and help you find that vision.”
For His glory
May you prayerfully consider the ministry to which God has called, offering your earthly body for the advancement of His kingdom glory. Whether financially or physically, may you embrace the call of leadership, humbling your being before the Lord and asking for the knowledge of His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Waters, in her preparation for going to France, is the Emerging Black Leaders (EBL) Intern for 2011. Read more about EBL.
