Jovan Santiago - Brazil

The Call to Ministry:
 

I was 11 years old when I walked into my first Christian church service. I remember the worship team singing, looking around, and seeing all the middle schoolers lifting their hands and going after God, and I thought to myself, this is weird. To see so many my age going after God, and the only conclusion that came to my mind was, that God must be real. I gave my life to Christ, and I remember the moment I did that He spoke to me and told me to, "Preach the Gospel." I understood He was calling me into ministry, but I couldn't understand why, so I did what most people would at that moment: I ran from the calling.

 

The Call to People:
 

It wasn't until my lowest moment in 2019 that I decided to turn back to the purpose God had for me. I told God I tried everything and it had all left me empty, so all that is left is what You have for me. I started going consistently to church, and within a year, God had called me to a leadership position to serve as a youth leader. The following year, God placed a burden on my heart to go on my first mission trip, and after several no's, I submitted to God's will, and I loved it. After the trip, I joined an internship program at my church where I learned practical hands-on ministry, how to lead an outreach, and discipleship under several pastors. Throughout this process, I could see how God was molding my heart for His people. I wanted to serve, so I went on several more mission trips and started to lead a prayer meeting—all because of the heart I developed for His people.

 

The Call to Missions:
 

After I had completed the internship in 2023, I was set on becoming a youth pastor. I received my bachelor's and became licensed with the Assemblies of God, but in that same year, my church hosted a mission trip to Brazil. God had placed a burden on my heart to go on the trip, and after fighting Him on it, I submitted and went on the trip. It was incredible; we outreached every single day, and I made friends with many of the Brazilians. I remember coming back and feeling this heaviness in my heart, almost as if I had to say goodbye to a loved one, and I did not understand why. Two months later, my church decided to host another mission trip to Brazil with the same missionaries and the same Brazilian team, but this time to the Amazon. I had pre-decided I was not going to do any more mission trips this year, but God had placed the burden on my heart once again, and I hesitantly agreed. We lived on a boat for a week and did outreaches to different tribes. By the end of the week, the missionaries saw something in me and recognized a call I had not even considered. They told me about a summer internship program in Rio, Brazil. I came back, and God put the internship on my heart, and I leaped at the opportunity. I saw within two days that God provided all my approvals and I was fully funded. I proceeded to spend the next three months, and I loved every single second. Every doubt I had about missions went away, and I realized this was the place I wanted to be, and these were the people I wanted to work with. Looking back, I can see God was guiding me with every single step, and I can't thank Him enough for it.

What Am I Doing Now:
 

Now I am currently a missionary associate to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I will be partnering with Kings Castle as I assist with their church plant. I will also be participating in weekly outreach and discipleship to bring the Word of God to their homes. I have a burden to disciple and mentor the youth and I get to do this in Brazil.