Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting our staff members here on our stories. We love lining people up with their callings, and our staff is no exception. First up, we have Melanie Godfrey, one of our newest Outreach Coordinators from Pittsburgh, PA. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about her, and if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. You can follow her and her husband, Matt, on their journey through life on Instagram (@melaniegodfrey_).
Until All Have Heard,
Jamie Klinger, Global Passion’s Communications Director
Give a little background on you: family, life before Global Passion, anything you want to share with the people reading our stories.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA (go Penguins!) with my parents and younger brother. After high school, I attended Northeast Ministry School for two years, then went on to the University of Valley Forge, close to Philadelphia, for my undergrad. I met my husband, Matt, there and after graduation, we got married. We stayed in that area for work, then just last year moved back to Pittsburgh. My degree is in Intercultural Communications, and I honestly loved every bit of those classes and education. I think even before I went on my first mission trip at 16, I was always called to missions. I love traveling and experiencing new cultures; it reminds me that God is so much bigger than my small world.
How long have you worked for Global Passion and how did you come to work with us?
I have worked for Global Passion for about five months. I love the story of how I came to hear about Global Passion; it’s one of those things that felt completely orchestrated by God’s hand. When I worked at the University of Valley Forge, one of my co-workers was Jason Rising. When my husband and I decided to move to Pittsburgh, I was sharing with Jason what my ‘dream job’ would be. He told me about a guy named Steve Edwards and that I should reach out to him. I took the risk, sent Steve my info and interest in Global Passion and the rest is history! Being from across the country, I had no idea that there was any organization such as Global Passion. But, through a random conversation, and decision to just go for it, God worked it out and here I am!
Where is next on your list of places to visit? Why?
Spain! I will be going with Marissa Deraya and the Global Passion team in June and I cannot wait! I think even if I weren’t going, my answer would be somewhere in Europe. I’ve never been, but have really felt the urge to travel there for quite a while.
What is one amazing story you have of God at work through missions?
This story is not my own, but I can’t help but share when this sort of question is asked. When I worked at Valley Forge, I oversaw all mission trips the university sent out. There was one trip, in particular, that was really struggling during the pre-trip process. It was a small team of five planning to go to Japan. Each person warred with adversity and the decision to even go due to finances, home situations, and even illness, but with council and the Lord’s prompting, they were obedient and went. When that team came back from their trip, they were on FIRE. Four of them received confirmation to become full-time missionaries to Japan. Of those four, three of them completed their internship with the same missionaries they partnered with the following summer, and the other student is in the process of becoming a missionary assistant with the Assemblies of God to go back to Japan in 2021. Because these students remained obedient and went on their short-term trip, God was able to use them in mighty ways while there and impact two youth homes, as well as stirring in them the call to return full-time! COME ON. This story just reminds me of our great commission to not only go, but to make disciples, which, I’m so proud to say, they have done!
Lastly, how can our readers be praying for you in the next year?
My word for 2020 is Seek. If our readers could partner with me in praying for God’s purpose for my life to continue to be revealed, I would greatly appreciate it! I just want to know Him more. I want to know His heart and understand how that translates into what I am to fulfill while on earth. Pray with me Matthew 6:33 – “But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
