Serving God Wherever He Leads

K

aren sat in the airport clutching her passport. She had flown before but never alone and never to an unfamiliar country halfway around the world. She was feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety when a Bible verse came to mind and reassured her: Do not be afraid . . . for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, NKJV). She relaxed, knowing God was right.

Karen grew up in a pastor’s home, where the idea of becoming a missionary grew in her heart. But when, where, or how would God make this experience happen?

After completing high school, Karen enrolled at Union College in Nebraska. There, she met Mike Porter, a ministerial student. The two had much in common and quickly became friends. Then, they began dating.

Karen also learned about the student missionary program at Union College. As she browsed through a list of service opportunities, her eyes fell upon an open position in Japan.

She was excited as she imagined serving God halfway around the world. But what would happen to her growing relationship with Mike if she was gone for nine months? Karen prayed and felt sure God was calling her to Japan. Mike also thought she should accept this opportunity to serve. He wanted Karen to remain an important part of his life while he continued his ministerial studies.

The months flew by, and at Christmas, Mike flew to Japan and proposed to Karen. She accepted, and the couple were married following Karen’s return to the US.

Being a student missionary had fueled Karen’s desire for mission, and Mike shared her passion. After graduating, the couple prayed for a mission call while Mike pastored in several areas. Finally, they received an invitation to serve in Sri Lanka, an island country in Southern Asia. While Mike worked with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency there, Karen cared for their children and worked part-time for women’s and children’s ministries. Living in Sri Lanka during a civil war was challenging, but these difficulties prepared them for future service.

Karen developed some health issues in Sri Lanka, and the Porters expected that they would have to return to the US. But God surprised them when they were called to serve in Russia, where Karen’s health improved. When the couple returned to the US, God led Karen to a position at the General Conference, where she would help new missionaries through the process of moving to a new country.

A few years later, the couple was again called overseas, this time to the Middle East. When Karen wasn’t working, she traveled with Mike, who served as president of the Middle East Union. As Mike worked with employees in the Middle East, Karen encouraged the pastors’ wives and other women—a ministry no man could do in that part of the world.

When the couple returned to the US in 2006, Mike accepted a position with the Quiet Hour ministries in California. Karen worked with medical students at Loma Linda University who wanted to serve overseas to help repay their student loans while serving as mission doctors and dentists.

Finally, Karen was called to be assistant and then associate secretary of the General Conference, where she continues to help newly appointed missionary families transition to their new assignments. Mike, now retired, keeps busy supporting mission to underreached people.

“It’s been an exciting and fulfilling journey, following God wherever He leads and witnessing His hand in every step,” says Karen. “Serving as a volunteer opened my eyes to the challenges and rewards of serving cross-culturally and set me on a career path that led to helping others embark on their mission adventures. I would highly recommend experiencing the joy of volunteer mission service. It will enrich and expand your view of the world and our mission to it.”