Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. I wanted to tell you all why I believe The Lord desires me to go to South Africa this summer before I started talking about the trip and the team.
I grew up in a Catholic household in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I would have said I was a Christian simply because my family said they were and because we went to church. For as long as I can remember I knew that Jesus was my savior and died on the cross for me but He was not The Lord of my life. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus was not my vine. I thought that everything that I did, my good grades, good morals, good decisions, was because I chose to do them or because I was ‘raised right.’ I went throughout my life living for myself; I lived for the things that made me happy and that I enjoyed. Later, I realized that I wasn’t truly happy. I was searching for love. I was searching for companionship. I was searching for something to fill a void that I had in my heart.
When I came to college at the University of Memphis I met a girl name LaShall McClain. The Lord placed her in every part of my life. We worked together at a residence hall on campus and we were co-chairs for a student organization. She held me to a biblical standard of how a true Christian was supposed to live and I soon realized that although I claimed Christianity, I was far from being a follower of Jesus Christ. She began to show me the love of Christ. God began to work in my heart and reveal himself to me. He began to show me how much I meant to Him and that what I was missing and searching for was a relationship with Him. On May 19, 2013, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I gave God complete control and dominion over my life, my decisions, and my plans.
As a result, I know that God has called me to full-time ministry. What will that look like? Honestly, I don’t know, but I know that God is sovereign and I know that he has a plan for me. God says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I know that my purpose in life, and the purpose of everyone who was created by God, is to glorify God and to make Him known to the corners of the earth and that is what I am dedicating my life to.
I am going to South Africa to live out God’s plan for me. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I am going to South Africa to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. I am involved in Campus Outreach at the University of Memphis where God has used me as a vessel in the lives of women and students. I went to Orlando, Florida last summer where God used me in the lives of women, native Floridians and tourists. I am blessed and honored to be chosen by God to spend the summer working for His kingdom in South Africa. I know that The Lord will be with me every step of the way. God says in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Thank you for joining my team and I hope that you recognize the role you are playing in helping me take the gospel to the nations. Whether through prayers or financial support, you are a part of everything that my team and I will accomplish for God’s kingdom. If you would like to join our team we would love to have your support. May God bless you and keep you.
With Love in Christ,
Kelsie A. Carter
I grew up in a Catholic household in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I would have said I was a Christian simply because my family said they were and because we went to church. For as long as I can remember I knew that Jesus was my savior and died on the cross for me but He was not The Lord of my life. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus was not my vine. I thought that everything that I did, my good grades, good morals, good decisions, was because I chose to do them or because I was ‘raised right.’ I went throughout my life living for myself; I lived for the things that made me happy and that I enjoyed. Later, I realized that I wasn’t truly happy. I was searching for love. I was searching for companionship. I was searching for something to fill a void that I had in my heart.
When I came to college at the University of Memphis I met a girl name LaShall McClain. The Lord placed her in every part of my life. We worked together at a residence hall on campus and we were co-chairs for a student organization. She held me to a biblical standard of how a true Christian was supposed to live and I soon realized that although I claimed Christianity, I was far from being a follower of Jesus Christ. She began to show me the love of Christ. God began to work in my heart and reveal himself to me. He began to show me how much I meant to Him and that what I was missing and searching for was a relationship with Him. On May 19, 2013, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I gave God complete control and dominion over my life, my decisions, and my plans.
As a result, I know that God has called me to full-time ministry. What will that look like? Honestly, I don’t know, but I know that God is sovereign and I know that he has a plan for me. God says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I know that my purpose in life, and the purpose of everyone who was created by God, is to glorify God and to make Him known to the corners of the earth and that is what I am dedicating my life to.
I am going to South Africa to live out God’s plan for me. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I am going to South Africa to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. I am involved in Campus Outreach at the University of Memphis where God has used me as a vessel in the lives of women and students. I went to Orlando, Florida last summer where God used me in the lives of women, native Floridians and tourists. I am blessed and honored to be chosen by God to spend the summer working for His kingdom in South Africa. I know that The Lord will be with me every step of the way. God says in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Thank you for joining my team and I hope that you recognize the role you are playing in helping me take the gospel to the nations. Whether through prayers or financial support, you are a part of everything that my team and I will accomplish for God’s kingdom. If you would like to join our team we would love to have your support. May God bless you and keep you.
With Love in Christ,
Kelsie A. Carter