I have one life with one mission: the Great Commission.

This last year has been challenging on many fronts. We continue to face the challenges that COVID has brought.

In the summer of 2020, many Alabama students were appointed to summer missions service. Even though their assignments were canceled due to the pandemic, I challenged them to open their eyes to see that the mission isn’t canceled. God opened doors right where they were – to be faithful to Him and to share with their families, neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

The COVID pandemic still made a significant impact on summer missions opportunities this year. I am grateful to share that 34 professions of faith and countless other decisions have been reported by One Mission Student summer missionaries.

These students are seeking to use their one life to impact our one mission for the glory of God. I am grateful to play a small role in their obedience to God’s call on their lives.

Recently, I’ve studied Mark 5 and Jesus’ interaction with a woman with a blood disorder.

25 Now a woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years 26 had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse. 27 Having heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothing. 28 For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be made well.” 29 Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

30 Immediately Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 His disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing against you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’”

32 But he was looking around to see who had done this. 33 The woman, with fear and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed from your affliction.” Mark 5:25-34 (CSB)

As we look at this story, it’s easy for us to look to this woman and her need – her desperation to be with Jesus or to look to Jesus and His miraculous healing of this lady.

While I think it’s extremely important that we do not miss those aspects of the story, I think it’s easy to overlook verse 27. “Having heard about Jesus” – someone had declared the truth of who Jesus is and what He can do for her. She heard about Him from someone. We don’t know who, but whoever it was is an equally important character in this story.

I’m challenged by the action of the unknown character in this story. I want to be the one who declares the hope of Jesus faithfully, being obedient to my one mission. I want to challenge others to declare this hope!

I’m so encouraged by the students who have followed the example of this unknown character – planting seeds and declaring the hope of Jesus across the globe this summer. These students have used their one life to fulfill their part in our one mission.

And I’m excited about what’s ahead. Students across the state have made their way back to campuses and are exploring ways to engage those on their campuses. In the coming weeks, we will release a list of opportunities for students to serve over next summer.

Will you pray with me for these students to use their one life for the sake of the Gospel – being faithful to our one mission, both on their campus and across the globe as they consider where God may send them to serve next summer?

State Missionary Chris Mills serves as an associate in the Office of Collegiate & Student Ministries. He works as a student missions mobilizer; fosters missional relationships with community college campus ministers and international student ministries; and assists in social media efforts for the office.

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