Since the sixth grade, Sarah Lansford has had a passion for missions, and her passion has lately gained some recognition. An article she wrote upon returning from a trip overseas with the University of Mobile (UM) is now being published as part of a study for students sharing her heart for sharing Christ in other parts of the world.
Lansford, a 2003 graduate of Athens High School, is currently a junior majoring in theology at UM.
It was during Lansford’s junior year of high school that she was first exposed to the university’s missions program. She and a group of prospective UM students from her youth group met for dinner with UM President Mark Foley, and he explained the emphasis the Christian university places on missions and service.
Looking back, Lansford said, “It’s funny now because I had no idea what kind of impact the missions program would make on my life.”
Lansford fell in love with missions on a trip to North Carolina and has since taken part in many more trips to locations such as Alaska, Jamaica and Mexico. The summer before Lansford’s junior year at UM, she participated in a missions trip to Macedonia through UM’s school of Christian studies. The team spent time prayer walking the country’s capital of Skopje and distributing tapes and videos in markets in the nearby province of Kosovo.
Within a month of her return from overseas, she received a request from Jay Robertson, assistant professor of Christian studies, to compose a story about her trip to be submitted for possible publication. In order to enter an article for consideration, the student must have participated in a missions trip with the International Mission Board (IMB) within the last year. Lansford gladly accepted.
“I was more than eager to share my experience,” she said.
She decided to use the article as a chance to describe her “heartbreaking” time spent in a mosque during prayer. She wanted students to understand through her writing, “not only with their minds but with their hearts as well,” that people all over the world need to hear about the love of their Savior and that the only way they will find out is if someone tells them.
“When students read this article, maybe they will realize that they could be that someone,” Lansford said.
The article she submitted was chosen to be published as part of a six-week study for those considering or preparing for student missions trips. The book, “My Life, His Mission,” by Kim Davis is in cooperation between Integrity Publishers and the IMB and is set to be released in July.
Lansford is currently preparing to take part in another short-term missions project this summer through the school’s University Missions program to Niger. After graduation, she plans to attend seminary or possibly participate in the IMB’s short-term missions program.
“While I was born in the Bible Belt, it is hard to imagine that some people haven’t grown up with Vacation Bible School and children’s choir,” Lansford said. “The only way these people will hear about Christ is if someone goes.” (UM)
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