On Sunday, March 8, Amy Everett was commissioned as a BFC missionary at Cedar Crest BFC during their Sunday morning worship service. A commissioning service allows the church leadership to publicly acknowledge the missionary’s ministry and to publicly acknowledge their commitment to supporting the missionary in prayer and in any guidance that may be related to her ministry. Although several churches and individuals have committed to support Amy, Cedar Crest BFC is her home church as well as a sending church and they happily agreed to hold the commissioning service. Before a missionary can be commissioned, he or she goes through an application process with the BFC Board of Missions.
Global Missions through ESL – Testimony by Amy Everett
I had the privilege of growing up in a family that taught me the truth about Jesus. I have attended Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church my whole life, but I specifically remember surrendering my life to Jesus when my older sister sat me down and told me the gospel as best as an 8-year-old can. I don’t remember much of my life before following Jesus, I don’t even remember much of what she told me that morning, but I do remember praying with her and giving my life to Jesus. Since then, my relationship with Jesus and my understanding of the gospel has grown. I recognize how unholy I am without Jesus and how incapable I am to make my life right before God.
I believe God created this world and it was good and pure. After we rebelled, He came to us by sending His divine yet fully human Son, Jesus, to redeem and restore us back into right relationship with Him. This was His plan all along. We didn’t deserve it and we can’t earn it. Our Savior defeated death through His perfect sacrifice and resurrection. He promises to return to bring eternal peace. We now have the Holy Spirit to guide, correct and teach us. Every day I am understanding His unconditional love for me more and more. Now when the Father looks at me, because of His grace, He sees the righteousness of Christ.
These understandings and realizations have come over the years through suffering, doubts and wrestling with God, yet He has always and will always pull me out of the pits. I have had many questions, but God has always been there through them and made my faith in Jesus stronger. There are times in life when I still choose to do things on my own and I am left feeling stressed, lonely, and frustrated. In those times, God reminds me of His promises and character to help bring me back to Him. He fills me with peace, comfort and joy. I have seen Him change me over the years and He has helped me to follow my King, Jesus. He is so good and kind. He is always close to me and deserves to be praised.
Ever since I was young, the love for overseas missions has been evident. I have prayed for a long time about going overseas to share Jesus with the nations. Because of this, when I was able to start helping with our church’s English as a Second Language program (ESL), it seemed like an obvious fit. ESL ministries are classes for mainly adults whose first language is not English but they desire to learn English. I have been serving in this ministry for 7 years. I started out having an interest in ESL, but only wanting to help. Little did I know God would grow in me a passion for this ministry and a love for the students and volunteers. God has brought many people from around the world to Cedar Crest BFC seeking help to learn English and build relationships, but also being given the opportunity to learn about Jesus. God has blessed me with the privilege to see this ministry flourish in His hands. We have experienced how overwhelming the need is and how difficult it is to turn people away on the waiting list.
As a result, God has given me a desire to see other churches start on this adventure and see how God can use them to reach the nations in their own neighbor-hood. Not only do these classes assist people to become more assimilated to our society, but it also provides opportunities for God’s people to welcome foreigners as we are commanded to do, show the love of Jesus, and proclaim the Gospel. God showed me that I don’t have to be overseas to share the gospel. I still have a desire to go overseas, but in the meantime, people from around the world are here.
I am now able to work as a part-time supported worker with the BFC Board of Missions to educate churches on what ESL ministries are, share what God is doing with them, and encourage churches to also get involved. But then I also intend to walk alongside these brothers and sisters and help them start their own programs if God is asking them to do so. This is a new adventure and not where I thought God would lead me, but I’m honored to play a small part in it. Please pray with me that He will make His name known among the nations in our communities through His church.
If you are interested in beginning an ESL program, contact Amy Everett at AEverett@bfc.org or find more information on her webpage.