IMB Journeyman speaks with OBU Students

Morgan Smith, Faith Editor

On November 21, a missionary with the International Mission Board, named Caleb*, came to speak to Professor Stephen Draper’s communication technology class about how his experiences and calling as a missionary.

Like many college students, Caleb said that he was unsure of what he was supposed to do after graduation.

As he neared his graduation date, Caleb turned to God in prayer for advice.

“I’d done some work in my community, so I had a love for people,” Caleb said. “I had a love for the lost, and Dad was like, ‘Hey, why don’t you do the journeyman program?’”

After more prayer and discussion with family, Caleb decided to dedicate himself to the mission field.

He had been on one overseas mission trip during high school, and had found a heart for working with people.

Consequently, much of Caleb’s work in the mission’s field has involved witnessing to refugees.

He said that his work with refugees has challenged him in more ways than one.

“It challenged a lot of my views on what refugees were,” Caleb said. “A lot what you see on the media is that they’re terrible, that they’re these awful people, but really refugees are some of the most giving and loving and accepting people I’ve ever met in my life.”

When Professor Draper invited Caleb to share his story with his class, Caleb said he was excited.

“Honestly any opportunity I can get to encourage people to step outside their bubble and expand their worldview, encourage them to go overseas, I’m going to take that,” Caleb said.

During his visit, he discussed his work with refugees, and his transition from college student to career missionary.

“We talked about how God is sovereign and in control over everything, even really hard things,” Caleb said. “Of course we shared some fun stories, and fun moments.”

Mikaleh Offerman, a student in Professor Draper’s communication technology class, and had met Caleb prior to his visit through service work in the community.

“I had no idea he was coming, so I was even more excited when I walked into class and saw him there,” she said.

She said she enjoyed Caleb’s visit, and learning about his personal experience as a missionary.

“I am really interested in being a missionary after I graduate, so hearing about his adventures was really encouraging,” Offerman said.

Caleb said that he believes anyone can be a witness of the Gospel.

“I guess doing mission work, by definition, it’s sharing the Gospel with people,” he said. “I kind of believe that whether you’re called to be a missionary or not, everybody should be sharing the Gospel with people. It’s that some people are called to do it in America, and some people are called to do it certain places overseas.”

However, he advises anyone who is interested in becoming a career missionary to pray about it first, just as he did.

“That’s the first thing that you need to do,” Caleb said. “Even if you don’t know what you’re supposed to do after college, if you think that it’s missions, whatever you think it is, I say just pray a lot and ask God to really guide you in helping make your decisions.”

*Name has been changed