A Brief Testimony:
I grew up in a Romanian, Baptist Church near my hometown. I developed a deep love for the church growing up, it was my palace. I was surrounded by religion and had belief in God, but I couldn’t seem to lock into a relationship with Him. I did well at the routine and ask of religion, but developing a relationship with Jesus was difficult when I didn't understand what he was doing in my life. With my hardships, my hurt, my pain, and my questions.
The Lord started breaking down at some of the walls I built when I joined a new church at the age of sixteen. He surrounded me with mentors and individuals who discipled me in walking and practicing The Way. I started opening up more to God and invited Him more and more into my personal life, despite not having all the answers from Him.
With the perspective I have now, I can confidently say God was calling me to ministry and the mission field from a young age through dreams. I had no understanding of them as a kid, but when I was 18 I had found myself at a crossroad. I needed to choose Him and His plan for my life or mine.
The first time I felt the presence of God in my life was on a roadtrip out west in 2020 in a 1997 Jeep. We were camping in Monument Valley, Utah. I still remember looking up at the stars that night and I was filled with awe. I couldn’t shake the song lyrics, “if the stars were made to worship, so will I.”
I couldn’t thread the fine line of my plans and His plans anymore. I was a soul in the deep depths of the masterpiece of His creation and I couldn't hide or outrun the Creator anymore. I spent that year chasing awe and wonder within creation, from backpacking to rock climbing. I was falling in a deep love for The Creator in His creation as His creation.
The Lord met me in the desert wilderness. And I am honored that is my story. In a season my soul felt dry, in a season I felt lost and hedged in wilderness, I met the lover of my soul. The symbolism of the desert runs deep in my life and my calling. In hard places bursts a light and a well that does not run dry.
In 2022 I went on my first mission trip to Kyangwali, Uganda. There is not enough space and words to translate the undoing of me that happened in Africa. In a place I secretly dreaded going, I found a home. Not in African soil, my Romanian identity, my American upbringing BUT in my Kingdom citizenship. The Lord planted the desire in me to partner with Him in bringing every tribe and tongue into His Kingdom.
I’ve learned many lessons along the way and -Lord willing- I have a long ways to go. But this hasn’t been done alone. I am who I am through the fruit of the ministry of others. Allow me to encourage you mentor, pastor, coffee shop regular, best friend., etc… your ministry is impactful. Go into all of your city, state, country, and to the ends of the Earth ushering in His Kingdom. There is a King coming.
Panta Ta Ethne
-Becca Stan