Musician to Missionary

When I was a boy, my parents bought a used, upright piano. Because of that purchase, I have spent the last 15 years as a missionary in Poland. 

Of course, that's an exaggeration. The piano wasn't the only reason I'm in Poland today. God's calling, years of spiritual growth, and mentorship were also crucial factors. But looking back, I can see how God used music to draw me into ministry.

Those piano lessons I had as a boy laid a musical foundation in my life. In middle school, I began to play the trombone and from there started singing in our church youth choir. As a teenager, I tried guitar and decided to form a band with my friends. After that I started leading worship at a local church and later led at Christian summer camps. Soon I was traveling over the weekends to lead worship at other churches and even started leading Bible studies on those trips. 

 The years I spent learning and playing instruments while teaching Bible studies were the catalyst for some short-term mission trips. Eventually I took a four-month mission trip to West Africa. After my time in West Africa, I knew I wanted to go to seminary. Yet I continued with music, taking on a part-time job as a worship leader. The church where I led worship needed an interim pastor, and for 18 months I filled that role. After I graduated from seminary, my wife and I began the search for where God would have us serve in ministry. He took us to Poland. 

When I was younger, I had no desire to be in ministry, let alone a missionary in another country. But God used music to help me take steps of faith that ultimately led to the mission field. Would I be here today in Poland if my parents hadn’t bought that piano back then? Only God knows. But I am so thankful that they did. Because I learned that when we are faithful with the talents and gifts God has given us, it can lead us to places we never dreamed possible.