Steadfast & Obedience.

These were the words I walked into 2026 with. The Lord's love for us is steadfast, never-ending, never-changing, it is unconditional. I want my love for Him to echo His love for me. That even in the trials, the unknown, that in the deepest of valleys my love for Him would be steadfast. I prayed He would lead me in obedience to His will for me this year, not my will but HIS be done. Even when it’s uncomfortable, it’s scary, or when you think you have it figured out and then boom, the Lord gives you a new path. That I would be completely rooted in my obedience to where He is leading me.

This year has already shown me so much, so much of who Jesus is to me, how much He loves me. How He is a forgiving God. A reminder of not WHO I am, but WHOSE I am. Acknowledging my absolute NEED for Christ.

Being able to lay my wounded heart to rest in His hands, in His love. Reminders of how He turns broken into beauty. The evidence of my life shows that he can do SO much with so little.

At the start of this year I was blessed to get an internship at my home church Hosanna in Lakeville. Working with the middle & highschoolers. The way these students have touched my heart. Wow is their faith inspiring to watch and to be able to lead as they need. I applied to go back to school, and got accepted into an amazing school close to home.

One thing about following the Lord and surrendering your plans to Him, is that you never know what He’s going to place on your heart. Where He’s going to tug your heart to go, who He’s going to nudge you to talk to you. He is an all knowing, intentional, non-coincidental God. Following that nudge, being obedient to the call He put on your heart.

So here I am now, I thought I had it figured out, internship, college, boom! But that's where the Lord responded, you don’t have to have it all figured out because I do. But, sometimes it’s not what you were expecting.

In the midst of all of this I just didn’t feel the sense of peace, like this wasn’t where the Lord was calling me to, at least not YET. I prayed, discerned, met with mentors (a lot), I was seeking wisdom and guidance.

One day I was looking through my journals of the last two mission trips I went on to Thailand and Honduras. I remember feeling this overwhelming sense of peace. When I was in Honduras I was blessed to be given the opportunity to give a sermon, It was on the story of the Prodigal Son. After the sermon I did an illustration, the students came up and wrote a sin / something they’ve been struggling with on a white T-shirt, and after I sprayed red water over all those struggles. Illustrating His blood shed for us, to cover all those sins. To redeem each and every one of us. Hearing the stories of these students and the women in Thailand who have no idea about the Savior who saves. Who came for us, who died for us. My heart is just so tender to all the people who just don’t know.

I want to be a vessel of God's love, to go and share the Gospel of good news to people who don’t know, to share my testimony as evidence that Jesus loves you just the way you are. Imperfect, broken and all.

I remember seeing this somewhere and I wrote it in my journal, “May my feet continue to worship Him where they go, may I continue to have the yes that takes me anywhere.” That’s where my heart felt the nudge, to go. I was still praying, discerning. Seeking wisdom > knowledge. When a mentor + friend told me about The World Race, a ministry that has many different missional programs. That’s where I found Journey School. An 8 month mission program, all while also being a full time college student. This was where I felt an overwhelming sense of peace, and the nudge of the Holy Spirit. The opportunity to do what my heart was made to do, to share the grace I was given, to serve and to be God's hands and feet. While also being in school to get a degree for something I am oh so passionate about, Jesus.

So everyone, at the end of August I will be heading out on a new journey. The World Race! 7 countries in 8 months. A journey of mission and knowledge, but also refinement, sanctification, and a deeper understanding of God's love.

During Journey school I will be in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia with an organization called Adventures in Missions. The World Race exists to mobilize a generation of radical Christ followers, discipling and training them to establish the Kingdom of God. While on the field, I will have many different ministry opportunities. I am confident that the Lord is going to work in and through our group. I am so excited for this opportunity to learn more about the Father and to bring His Kingdom to the places we will be.

To go on the World Race, I need prayer warriors who will pray for & alongside me. I also need to fundraise. I have full confidence and assurance in the Lord, knowing that as I walk in faith of where He is calling me, He will also provide everything I need. Through this trust, I am developing a team of partners who are willing to walk alongside me through this process.

I would love to ask you to pray about joining my financial support team. In this, not only would you be partnering with me, but you would be partnering with the Father in the calling of bringing His Kingdom to some of the most unreached places in the world. I need to raise $17,900 by February 15th, 2027, but my first benchmark is $7,160 or 40% by July 30th, 2026. I currently am sitting at $200 with my initial deposit/first donation to myself. This is an incredible opportunity for me and I would be honored for you to partner alongside me.

I am wondering if you will consider joining my prayer team, or financial support with a gift of $10 or whatever the Lord is leading you to. It would truly be an honor to have you join my support team and invest in the building of His Kingdom in this way.

THANK YOU for reading and being alongside me on this journey the Lord has called me to.

I can’t wait to share more with you all.

All glory to God in the highest.

"For such a time as this", Esther 4:14

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬

Donation link: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2026-gapless-gap-year-asia-and-australia-26js0828gap-986141313/participants/sophia-battis