Prepared Beforehand

Apart from Christ I am nothing, and can do nothing. If it weren’t for Christ then I wouldn’t be headed off to Mexico to serve Him and it is because of His power that I can go in confidence. If it were up to me I would have stayed home and lived the “relaxed life” but God had other plans for me.

Let me start off by telling you how I became interested in missions and got to be a part of GEM. Back in 2020 I became friends with someone who served in China for two years. I talked to him about what it was like to serve there and hear all the stories he had while there. Even though I didn’t realize it until much later, that was when the seed of mission work was planted into my heart.

At the time I was still in school working on getting my degree in accounting and the verse of John 3:30 was laid upon my heart, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” That was a real gut punch because I was mostly focusing on accounting and what I could do for myself with the degree. If I even focus on myself for a second then God cannot be fully glorified in my life if He is not my only priority. After this I began to look into ways that I could use my accounting skills in ministry. 

I talked to my youth pastor about different ways to work in ministry, but I felt most drawn to missions. He had also helped lead another friend of mine to GEM and told me if they had a financial position open he would let me know. A couple of weeks go by and I don’t hear anything and start to think that maybe missions isn’t my calling. Then one night while hanging out, my friend who joined GEM told me they needed an accountant. I was skeptical at first because GEM was still small and relatively new, but I ended up talking with Rachel, their Director of Mission Advancement, anyways.

After the first conversation I was immediately hooked. She told me about a financial position and the need for a math teacher and that I would do both. I was beyond excited that there was a way for me to use my accounting skills in missions; however, I didn’t expect to be used for finances AND teaching. I never saw myself being a good teacher, but I pray that the Lord will take this weakness and make it His strength. I was in constant prayer as I waited for the contract. I knew that if I received a contract that that’s where the Lord is leading me and I will sign, so I signed.

I hope this is an encouragement to whoever reads this, that wherever you go, go in faith and trust in the good works the Lord has laid out for us. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. How marvelous that God has prepared everything beforehand and chose us to be his workmanship!

– Tanner Wilkinson, GEM Finance Clerk