A Story of Calling and Transformation

Thirteen years ago, the summer after my senior year of high school, most of my friends went on a student mission trip to Riga, Latvia. When they returned, they were brimming with stories, memories, and inside jokes. To be honest, I couldn’t handle the FOMO (fear of missing out), so I decided I had to go the following year! At the time, I couldn’t have pointed out Latvia on a map, but I knew I couldn’t miss out on the next trip.

The next summer, Gayle and Clark Red, the trip organizers, invited me to join. Without hesitation, I said yes! Alongside my good friends Taylor and Zach, I traveled throughout Latvia, experiencing its beauty, meeting incredible people, and forming lasting friendships. The Asnevics family graciously hosted us, welcoming us into the Vilande Baptist Church community. During our final two weeks, we partnered with a team from First Baptist Richardson to help Vilande Baptist host an English-speaking camp for Latvian youth. I remember thinking, If I could, I would move to Latvia in a heartbeat.

That summer marked the first time I felt I had contributed something of real value. I experienced a deep connection to God’s plan—not just in the lives of the youth we served but also in my own life. Over the next couple of summers, I used my love of music, especially drumming, to teach and perform street drumming. I was amazed to see how God used my gift to impact students. I realized that God had given me this talent not only for my enjoyment but to share with others for His glory. Being in Latvia reminded me how much I loved serving God, loved His people, and how uniquely I was crafted to play a specific role in His kingdom. This calling stirred my heart to consider ministry.

Shortly after returning from my second trip to Latvia, I joined First Baptist Richardson. I became a Student Ministry Intern and joined the worship band, and through these roles, God continued to use me and deepen my heart for ministry.

As my passion for missions and ministry grew, God began to reveal areas in my life that needed healing—pride, lust, and gluttony. These struggles became painfully clear, but as I turned my heart toward Jesus, His light began to shine into the darkest corners of my life. I didn’t anticipate how broken I was, but God, in His grace, lovingly broke me down and built me back up. He used Godly mentors, a stable work environment, and supportive friends to teach and guide me.

This season of transformation felt like a chrysalis—a time of preparation for something new. I became excited to see what God had in store.

Ten years after my first trip, I returned to Latvia as a counselor at Camp Hope. After camp, I met with my good friend Toms Asnevics. Over lunch, he asked, “Why don’t you come live in Latvia for a year and do ministry with us at Vilande Baptist?” This wasn’t the first time we’d talked about me moving to Latvia, but this time felt different. The Spirit stirred my heart, and what had once been a dream now seemed like a real possibility.

When I returned to Dallas, all I could think about was a new life in Latvia. As I prayed, I felt God’s peace and clarity. It was as if He whispered, These past ten years have been preparation for this moment. The decision to move became clear, and I began taking steps toward this new chapter.

With the encouragement of family, friends, church members, and coworkers, I stepped into full-time ministry in Latvia. God opened doors and laid a path before me. I am excited to see what He has in store for the people of Latvia and pray that I can continue to be an instrument in building His kingdom.