Our International Sending Stories showcase the radical ways God calls and equips people for impact, whether it’s across the globe or across the street.
I’m Kezia, serving in Brisbane to reach international students here. I’m born and raised in Australia, but my parents are from Indonesia. I’m 25 years old, grew up in church but only really began following Jesus when I was about to turn 18 and start uni. I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science + Science (Extended major in Psychology) in UQ where I got involved with the Brisbane International Student Ministry from my very first day.
I love to dance, challenge others in relational evangelism and tell everyone about Notion.
Throughout my uni degree I wrestled with the call to overseas missions, in particular to unreached countries. However a trip to Myanmar in 2019 opened my eyes to the challenges I would face serving in an unreached nation (I would look like most people in most of those countries, but then I can’t speak the language and then they’re just disappointed 😅).
I realised that God had already thoroughly equipped me to be able to reach unreached nations here in Australia through student ministry, reaching the unreached didn’t mean I had to go overseas.
Now I serve as deputy team leader for the Brisbane International Student Ministry, it’s been 2.5yrs and for now I think this is still where God is calling me.
I’ve been fortunate enough to see multiple students make the decision to follow Jesus and help grow them in their faith and desire to share the gospel with those around them.
I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing new team members come in and watch them grow in their skills and confidence and passion for the Great Commission.
One of the big struggles is the busyness of students. Many work part-time on top of their studies and feel immense responsibility and pressure to do well in their studies since their families are paying so much. They often struggle to commit to things, unless very passionate about it or have formed strong communities with others.
Reaching the nations just by being on campus has been such a great privilege and nothing beats the joy of seeing students grasp the gospel for the first time and continue to grow in their awe and wonder of God as they see other students do the same. The job however definitely requires a lot of self-discipline and motivation, you’re essentially a freelancer for the gospel so there really isn’t much stability or rhythm to your work, so it’s definitely not for everyone. But even on those tough days and weeks, He is always worthy!
As I approached the end of my university studies, ‘life’ got more real. The never ending education bubble (6 years at uni) finally popped and I was left wondering what I should do with my life.
What I had studied at uni was never quite the path I envisioned taking, but I followed the path I was on, doing some vacation work and looking at the different options of possible careers that my degree enabled. It was at the start of my final year where I felt the urge to actively pray and ask God “where do you want me to go?”. It was in a time of prayer, where the idea of applying for a graduate position at a bank came to mind. I recall the bank’s logo come to my mind as I was praying, and there was a sense of peace as I was asking God about where he wanted me to go. Banking was never actually something I had considered, as it had always been accounting firms or property valuation firms that were my focus at the time.
I know the Lord has been at work, but the extent hasn’t always been so clear to me. I’ve been privileged to be apart of workplace prayer and also some discipleship opportunities which have involved reading the bible with some of my colleagues. These opportunities don’t occur as regularly as I would like, but I try to make myself available when there is an open door.
Apart from the everyday moments to represent Jesus in the workplace, I’m learning to be a better steward of what God gives to me. Whether it’s time, money or friendships, being able to put Christ at the centre of this is something that I’m constantly learning to do.
In my 20s, I went on several short term missions (both in Australia and overseas), and was also involved in local ministries. Through this I had the sense that God was calling me to long-term, fulltime involvement in missions. I had a growing awareness that there is nothing more important than investing my life in helping people come to know and worship Jesus.
After teaching in Australia for several years, I served for 2 years in various parts of the world, and then returned to Australia, where l did some study at Bible College and joined Power to Change as a missionary, working with university students.
I was aware that a large percentage of the world’s population is still “unreached” by the gospel, and that there is a huge need for workers to go to these people groups with the good news. In 2020, at an online webinar, I was struck by the statistic that only 1 in 20,000 Christians will work among the least reached. For many, there are reasons that make it difficult for them to serve in unreached parts of the world (health challenges, family responsibilities, etc.), but as I listened to that statistic, I sensed that God was answering the prayer that I had been praying (“When is it time to go?”) by prompting me that NOW was the time for me – a time in my life when the way is open to go and serve.
I started preparing in Australia, with language learning, and gaining another teaching certificate, which would enable me to teach English in my new role overseas.
A few years later, I was able to move to a beautiful country in Central Asia, to join a team where we are reaching out primarily to young adults.
Of course, there have been both encouraging and challenging times. I’ve been encouraged to see several people come to faith in Jesus these past few years, and to see them become part of Christian community, growing in their faith, and testifying to others about the God who has changed their lives. One new believer recently said, “I’m so thankful I have finally come home to my Heavenly Father.” It’s also been a joy to experience some beautiful relationships with people here – with some local friends, it seems crazy to think that there was ever a time when we did not know each other!
It’s been difficult to see that in some cases, family pressure and opposition is significant for new believers, and a few have also not continued on (although we pray that God will draw them back in His timing).
Initially, adjusting to a new culture, winter weather, ways of relating, and language can be a challenge, but this definitely gets easier over time.
For anyone prayerfully considering coming to serve God in this part of the world, I would encourage you that God is already at work here, and you have the privilege of just joining in in what He is doing! As you come, even with your various “limitations”, God will connect you with specific people who HE has prepared specifically for you to meet and love.
Be prepared for a process of adjustment as you learn language and how to connect well with people in a new culture. You will have “good” days and “not so good” days, and that’s ok. Keep a long-range perspective. Make sure that, amidst the busyness, you protect your daily time with Jesus. Your ministry should be the overflow of Your relationship with Him. May God give You wisdom as You seek and follow Him!
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