AN OPPORTUNITY

It was General Assembly 2010. I went there, I returned. God gave me an opportunity, I seized it. I brought back an experience which marked my life.

Since early childhood I have dreamed about traveling and achieving big things. When I was 8, I had a plan to attend university to become a scientist. I wanted to get married at 18 and to have three boys. To create a ?plan' for organizing your personal life is a practice which challenges us all as humans. However, as always, God does things differently and he prepares something much better than our best.

I grew up in a Christian family; my father pastors a church with The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Quebec. This year I had the opportunity to accompany him to Turkey, to experience missions firsthand.

At first, I didn't have a clue what General Assembly was all about. Even after some explanations, I did not feel much more knowledgeable. However, loving adventure and discovering new things, this was the occasion I had dreamed about to experience another culture.

The project quickly stuck with me and, as I felt God's challenge through this venture, I raised my money. Being a student, collecting the amount necessary was seemingly impossible. However, it never crossed my mind that I would not go. Many people helped me, both from my church and people I do not even know. I knew God was going to provide. When it is within his will, God takes care of the details.

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Upon our arrival, I realized I was in a very different world. People who live there are immersed from head-to-toe within the law imposed by their religion. Although referred to as secular, Turkey remains a country which is under the influence of Islam.

While there, I discovered many things about their religious practices. Every day they must carry out several religious rituals. They have a great zeal to accomplish what is written in the Koran. As for me, I want that zeal for myself. Not zeal carried out through legalism but zeal motivated by love and freedom for the One I call my Lord.

A REVELATION

During my stay I had the privilege to attend round tables, conferences, and workshops on missions. It was quite an experience to find myself surrounded by hundreds of people who were there for the same reason. I met pastors, International Workers, delegates, district superintendents, and journalists. In all honesty, I must say I never had a clearer understanding of the ministry accomplished by God's workers.

Think about it. These men and women have sacrificed their dreams and their plans and devoted their lives to his service. I was particularly touched to see at what point serving God was just so logical, and an absolute delight.
 
At that moment, I wondered where I stood personally, me, Laurie Angers, for God's Kingdom. It's not a question of situation, or high position, or rank. We all are equal in Christ, traveling the same road and fighting the same fight.

Here I am, 16 years old, now understanding how I can contribute in the world. I keep myself for full-time service for God. Am I called? We all are, but at various places for various functions.

I now exhort all young people of my age: you want to live? Live for Christ. Leave your comfort zone, proclaim the good news to all those who want to hear it, and twice more to those who do not. We are influential, with so much potential to give. The coming generation is within our hands. Let's act now.