I will never forget when Carey spoke at one of our staff development gatherings years ago. She shared how living in West Africa transformed the way she prays, shifting from prayers focused mainly on comfort and safety to prayers centered on faithfulness, courage, and boldness. That moment changed the way I pray for my own children every day. I found myself asking God not just to keep them safe, but to make them bold and steadfast in their faith wherever He leads them.

Carey’s story began right here at Christ Community Church. She grew up in our church family, where seeds of faith were planted early and nurtured by a community who loved and supported her. As a teenager, she sensed God calling her to serve among unreached people groups. Through the prayers and encouragement of so many here at CCC, that calling took root and grew into a ministry that has now spanned several countries in West Africa. For her security and anonymity, we are choosing not to name the country where she currently serves.

Sitting down with Carey reminded me just how powerfully God can work through a willing heart. She described what it was like to have to leave a previous country due to security concerns, a transition that could have felt like the end of her ministry. She shared,

“When we had to leave, it felt like everything was unraveling. But God was already preparing a place for us in West Africa. He surrounded us with teammates and new neighbors who were open to building relationships. Looking back, I can see how He wove things together for His purposes, even when I felt lost and afraid.”

Hearing those words convicted me of how often I expect God’s faithfulness to look like an easy path. Carey’s story reminded me that real faith often means trusting God through detours and disruptions, something I long to model for my own family and congregation.

Carey spoke about the daily spiritual challenges in West Africa, and how they have shaped her dependence on God.

“Islam is deeply embedded in the culture, and many people live in fear of spirits or curses. There are days when the spiritual heaviness feels almost physical. It can be overwhelming, but I have learned to pray for perseverance and courage, not just for safety. I ask God to open hearts and to break the chains of fear that keep people from knowing Jesus.”

Her words challenged me to reflect on how small and self-focused my prayers can become. Instead of praying only for comfort or protection, I felt the Spirit urging me to pray bigger prayers, asking God for courage, perseverance, and for the light of the Gospel to break through spiritual darkness.

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was when Carey described worship among believers in West Africa.

“There is so much joy here. When believers gather, they sing, clap, and dance. Their prayers are bold and desperate because they know God is their only hope. They are not afraid to cry out to Him with every need, and they celebrate His answers in ways that are so vibrant and full of life. It makes worship feel alive in a way I did not experience before moving here.”

That image of joyful, desperate prayers made me question the casual way I sometimes approach worship and prayer. It stirred in me a longing to experience and lead our church into that kind of expectant, wholehearted pursuit of God.

Carey also shared how the church has taught her what true Christian community looks like.

“They do not take faith for granted. They rely on each other like a family because following Jesus often means losing relationships or opportunities. They share what little they have. They care for each other’s needs. It is humbling to see people with so few resources living with such generosity and trust in God’s provision.”

She continued,

“In the West, we often think we can do faith alone. Here, you cannot survive spiritually without the community. It is a constant reminder that the church is a body meant to support one another, and that we need each other far more than we realize.”

Listening to Carey’s stories reminded me again that faith is not about comfort or control. It is about trusting God in the unknown, living with a hope that cannot be shaken, and praying bold prayers that align with His heart. As I pray for Carey and the church in West Africa, I also pray for myself and for all of us—that we would seek Jesus with the same urgency, joy, and courage.

Church family, let us commit to praying together for Carey and our brothers and sisters in West Africa. Let us ask God to strengthen them, open doors for the Gospel, and remind them and us of His faithfulness.

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