“I’ve felt that calling for years—to go, to share Jesus with people who don’t know Him,” Emily says. “And now I finally get to do that!”  

Emily was raised in a Christian home and first placed her faith in Jesus during a youth retreat in Kansas City. She originally wanted to pursue a career in musical theater, but when that door closed, she switched her major to Worship Ministry. Around the same time, she also enrolled in a French culture class, and that’s when everything clicked. “I’d always loved the French language and culture,” she says. “And when I learned how spiritually dry France is and that one of the most effective ways to reach people there is through music… I just thought, ‘That’s it. This is what God’s been preparing me for.’” 

In October, Emily will go to the suburbs of Lyon, France where she’ll spend two and a half months working with Encompass missionary, Kevin. He’s a worship director serving our network of church plants there, and he’s also on the board of Hymnes 21, the French arm of The Gospel Coalition’s worship translation ministry. 

During her time there, Emily will work with Kevin to lead worship at a local church, help with discipleship, and assist with the translation, production, and distribution of French worship songs. She’ll also help build up the ministry’s digital presence on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. “It feels like such a unique opportunity,” Emily says. “Music is such a powerful tool in France. People are really open to spiritual ideas through art, and I’m excited to be part of that!” 

Emily has been to France before, but this trip will be her first opportunity to spend a significant amount of time there while engaging in ministry. “I’m going to see if this is something I should come back to long-term,” she says. “I’ve always held that idea in my heart, and this is my chance to really discern what God might have next.” 

“There’s such a great need in places like France,” Emily says. “Most people there just assume church is for old people, and they never meet believers in their daily life. But now I have the opportunity to go and be a light for Christ and a place that really needs it.” 

Would you consider partnering with Emily financially?  It’s clear that God has so perfectly equipped her for this work, but she can’t do it alone. Your support will enable her to use her use God-given skills to shine His light in a place longing for hope.