The Road Ahead
My Vision, Strategy, And What’s Next
Hi friends,
Today’s newsletter looks a little different. I usually share ministry highlights from the past few months, but this time I want to step back and talk about the bigger picture.
After four years in full‑time ministry, I’ve realized I’ve never fully shared the “why” behind what I do. So today I wanted to explore that: my focus in missions, what’s next, and how you can partner with me if you feel led.
The Overview
If you want to skip to a particular section, here’s an overview of what’s in here:
- My story
- Vision & focus
- Strategy
- What’s next?
- How to partner
My Story
I want to be very honest: I never intended to become a missionary.
When I was 7 my family moved to Malawi, Africa to serve as missionaries. As much as I loved growing up over there, I had no intention to follow in my parents’ footsteps. My plan was to work in paramedicine and disaster response.
In 2022 I took a break from college to pursue a gap year. I knew that I wanted to deepen my faith and do something ministry-related, and a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) seemed to fit the bill.
I ended up doing my training in New Zealand, and in the middle of that God radically disrupted my future plans. It soon became apparent that God was directing me into missions. The process of surrender took a while, but I eventually came around.
With that ‘yes’ came peace and even excitement. After my DTS I pursued a Discipleship Bible School and then stayed in New Zealand for two more years staffing DTS and DBS programs. Those years stretched me in so many ways, but simultaneously contained some of the most rewarding moments of my life.
I worked with 70+ students while there, mentored a dozen young men, and led missions outreaches to Tasmania and Vanuatu. I also discovered a passion for missions in the South Pacific and for teaching the Bible.
Last year I temporarily stepped away from the Pacific to grow as a missionary and Bible teacher. In addition to taking courses, I’ve staffed a DTS in Malaysia, taught on a Bible school in Vietnam, and I’m currently working with an inner city church plant in Ottawa for the summer. Each experience has uniquely equipped me for the work I’m called to.
So how do these pieces all fit together within my vision?
Vision & Focus
My vision is to train and equip young people for missions.
Right now we’re seeing a wave of young people across the world say ‘yes’ to going into missions. While we’re not there yet, Gen Z has the potential to be the most missions-oriented generation in history.
There’s a gap between willingness to go, however, and having the practical tools and the discipleship necessary to succeed.
Growing up overseas, I saw clearly that missionaries who were trained and supported had much higher success rates than those who just winged it. As it currently stands, 80% of missionaries burn out and quit before they finish their first term abroad. Rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD are through the roof.
Right now, approximately 42% of the global population belongs to unreached people groups. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are very few. And when the workers are under equipped and burned out, they’re far less likely to stick around.
As sobering as these statistics are, there’s also an opportunity here. Young people are stepping into missions. And the church is presented with the opportunity to support them.
Equipping these young missionaries is the central heart behind what I do. And I’d love for you to be a part of it!
The Strategy
How do we adapt missions to a changing world?
This is an important question right now, because the demographics of church have radically changed. A century ago, 70% of Christians lived in the West. Today, 70% of Christians live in the developing world.
Regions that were traditionally “missions fields” are now becoming powerful missions forces. Brazil, South Korea, India and the Philippines are now in the top 5 sending nations of the world.
Even though we now numerically send fewer missionaries, resources are still centralized in the West. We have a wealth of knowledge and materials in missions and theological training that we can use to bless up-and-coming missionaries.
Most of the work I’ve done in YWAM so far has been focused on the South Pacific, where we’re starting to see the ripples of another wave of Pacific Islanders entering missions. When the Gospel was first preached in the Pacific, many Islanders became powerful missionaries. The possibility for a new generation to pick up that mantel is incredibly exciting.
Many of the young people I’ve trained so far have been Westerners, but through missions outreaches we’ve been able to get out into the Pacific to serve. As the need for training courses and Bible schools expands, I hope to spend more time in the Islands helping to pioneer and teach.
As missions shifts toward the Global South, my focus is equipping and connecting the next generation of leaders to carry the Gospel forward.
What’s Next?
As I look ahead, doors are opening for me to expand my work.
During the years I’ve spent discipling young people, I’ve primarily served as a member on broader staff teams. My role has centred on working with students through mentorship, classroom teaching, and leading outreaches.
In addition to those things, I now have invitations to begin leading and pioneering Bible schools. I’d be responsible for leading the staff team in addition to discipling the students, which is a major responsibility. I’ve also received a number of invitations to teach on international Bible schools, and handling the Word of God is something that I want to take seriously.
To prepare for these opportunities, I’ll be completing a nine‑month School of Biblical Studies in Australia this September. It’s an intensive program designed to equip ministry leaders and teachers, and it will also be the last major component in my B.A. in Biblical Studies.
The school will bring me a minimum of 5 times through every book of the Bible, and it’s a time commitment of 50-60 hours per week. The training will be demanding but deeply valuable as I continue equipping Gen Z for missions.
As I take this next step, I’m inviting friends and churches to partner with me through prayer and support. Your encouragement makes this journey possible.
How to Partner
I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has walked with me on this journey! As I step into further missions training and teaching, I’m inviting continued partnership in 2 key ways:
- Prayer: Your prayers make a real difference. My newsletters include prayer points for upcoming ministry, travel, and teaching opportunities. I’d love for you to join me in praying for wisdom, provision, and lasting fruit in the lives of the students I serve.
- Financial Support: I’m currently fundraising for my upcoming School of Biblical Studies in Australia and ongoing ministry expenses. I’m seeking to raise about $8,000 CAD to cover my expenses for the rest of the year (most of which will go towards my training, with the remainder being living expenses). If you’d like to give toward this training or become a monthly supporter, you can do so through my missions giving page below.
Thank you for being a part of this journey! Your support makes this ministry possible.
Blessings,
Johnny