When I was growing up, I read missionary biographies often.
I read about Hudson Taylor, shocking the other missionaries in his eastern costumes. I discovered Gladys Aylward and dreamed about unbinding crippled feet and sleeping in mountain villages. I admired Amy Carmichael and her fierce devotion to Christ and India. When I read the stories of how God led them and provided for them, it seemed extraordinary and almost impossible. Although they would have immediately argued my conclusion, I somehow assumed that these miraculous callings were for the extra-holy, super-Christians.
One day, I woke up, and I was a missionary.
That’s another story, and one I love to tell, but the very short version is that I never dreamed of moving to another country, but when Jesus said to stay, I did.
Since that day, nearly two years ago, I see miracles almost every day. It isn’t that the Spirit works in different ways in different countries; it’s the simple fact that in the UK, I see how desperately I need Him. Living in a new place has given me the space to recognize what was always true: My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Most days, it’s not just my needs but the overflow of a calling bigger than I might ever have dreamed.
To illustrate this, I wanted to share a story of one event, one outreach and a few of the pieces I have seen. I could tell these stories for many days, but choosing one outreach gives a focus.
On August 27, we will host Creation Fest Scotland
We have booked Creation Fest Scotland in George Square, in the heart of the city center in Glasgow. Even if no one comes for our event, it’s one of the busiest places in the country. We expect thousands to pass through, over 100 volunteers, 20+ churches to be involved and (we pray), many will come to faith or be encouraged to step forth in sharing Jesus.
Back story: Six years ago, our previous Creation Fest director had the crazy idea that a festival in Cornwall should hold an event in Glasgow. He prayed and dreamed and visited the city. The doors didn’t open…but he kept praying.
In 2014, he passed away. We forgot about Scotland.
In the summer of 2015, Creation Fest booked five Scottish bands. To say this another way, in the summer of 2015, five bands who love Jesus and play excellent music came at mostly their own expense to our Fest. One group drove 17 hours each way. At the end of the event, one bandleader said: “You must come to Scotland”. I was too busy to listen. He said it again, over phone, email, text. We agreed to come up for an interest meeting in October.
Twenty people representing 18 organizations attended. They said, “Please come.” We started praying, raising funds, spreading the word that maybe, possibly, we might come to Scotland. January was our deadline for a decision.
In that first week of January, a piece of unexpected news was released:
Scotland, home of thousands of missionaries and centuries of rich heritage was officially on the unevangelized countries list.
I sat at a table with Brian Brodersen, Scott Cunningham and Tim Cheshire from Glasgow. We didn’t have the funding yet (50% was raised). We didn’t have the time (I will always find a reason to be too busy). But as we prayed, the clear words were this:
“My call on your lives and ministries will always be a step of faith. Take this step.”
I could write many stories of the small but significant miracles that have shaped the vision and preparation for this event. It hasn’t happened yet, but this week, God gave us an extra venue, a flurry of new people invested in the vision and increasing clarity on why He said: Scotland.
I would love to invite you to pray for us.
I have seen the work of God in the preparation for this.
I pray that together, we would expect the miraculous from Him often. I’m not Hudson Taylor or Gladys Aylward or Amy Carmichael, but Jesus lets me live in another country and tell people about Him, and He is daily bringing about the miraculous.
Pray for Edme Brink, the lead coordinator. Pray for dynamic Gospel invitations. Pray for unity among broken churches. Pray for salvation for broken souls. Pray for wisdom, vision, clarity, finances, resources. Pray that on August 28, and in 2026 and in eternity we would look back and say that Christ, our miracle-working Savior, was made beautiful in Scotland on this day and forever.
