Editor’s note: This is the third in a continuing series of articles in which New Hope Publishers authors share how they are living sent, or living like a missionary.

“Missionary Debbie, thank you for coming.” Startled, I looked up to see who had called me “Missionary Debbie.” If one of my friends had referred to me as “Missionary Debbie,” it would likely have been said with a tinge of jest.  

However, none of the sisters there flinched. Then I understood. In their eyes I was a missionary. 

On April 2, 2008, God called me to take my P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation conference to a church in every state in the United States and to not charge my speaking fee or travel expenses. Christ the King Community Church, outside Seattle, Washington, was state 23.

—Debbie Taylor Williams, author of If God Is in Control, Why Am I a Basket Case? (latest release)

He rescued me. He restored me. He rebuilt the broken places. Out of profound gratitude and with great delight, I long to share the reality of His goodness with others. Whether it’s pouring out in a single-parent seminar, a women’s retreat, or behind prison bars to female inmates, I love to share the good news of His deep love and life-saving grace. Most of all, I live sent as I love my husband, scoop up my girl, and take care of the nitty-gritty details of home life. My most critical outreach is behind my own front door as I hold my family close in prayer and serve them through the highs and lows.

—Elsa Kok Colopy, author of A Woman Who Hurts, A God Who Heals (latest release)

I’m living sent as part of a group of people who are dynamically touching the impoverished urban area of my city.

Every Sunday evening, they gather in our home to pray and plan. They look to my wife, Martha, and me for counsel, encouragement, and a place that feels like home to them.

They are a group of 20-somethings, some nudging 30, who are teachers, sociologists, chefs, and accountants— both white- and blue-collar types. Their roots extend from places like Mexico, Nigeria, Venezuela, Hawaii, Boston, the Jersey shore, small town Texas, and inner-city San Antonio. Some have very traditional church backgrounds, and some grew up never seeing inside the doors of a place of worship.   

But they share a purpose and a calling. Our son, Matt, leads this home church. Our focus is ministry to the inner-city community on San Antonio’s Westside. Matt teaches in the high school there, and our church group serves and loves those who live in that area.

We see to it that the people have the basic necessities of life. We weep with them, we celebrate with them, and we advocate for them. And, we point them to Christ.

In living sent in this ministry, I feel spiritually invigorated and alive!

—Greg Singleton, author of Let It Shine! (latest release)

I am living sent in the Yakima Valley of Washington. Not long ago, I thought I was supposed to be living as a missionary in an international setting. Much prayer, planning, and preparation went into the path. God had other plans.

Living sent means doing what He puts in front of me, right where I live. After getting our attention and returning my husband and me to where He wanted us, God narrowed my focus until I noticed what He had for me. God sent me to teach at a Christian school on the Yakama Indian Reservation.

Teaching students from families with a variety of backgrounds, I am blessed with the freedom to share God’s story from the Bible. I am required to teach the Bible! The love of Jesus is shared and discussed. Class begins with a daily prayer. Lunch is preceded by student-led prayer. Issues are dealt with using biblical concepts. Discipline is administered through the teaching of Christian behaviors and morals. Worship is experienced as a student body. Each day, I am able to speak truth about His love and His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. That is living sent.

—Angie Quantrell, author of Families on Mission