Till the Whole World Knows

Some callings are difficult to explain. They gently unfold through experiences, relationships, and moments when God quietly makes His direction clear. For Michael and Lane, the call to missions has been a journey of learning to listen and trust God with what they cannot yet see.

During a mission trip to South Africa, Lane began to recognize God’s leading to missions. While serving homeless women, she washed their feet and prayed for them. In that humble act of service, she experienced a deeper understanding of Jesus’ love and a growing desire to share the good news with others.

At the same time, God had already been placing the Deaf community on Lane’s heart. After studying American Sign Language in high school, she pursued an ASL interpreting degree and now works as an interpreter at a middle and high school. As she learned the language and became more involved in the Deaf community, she began to see how these two parts of her life could come together. What first seemed like two separate passions became one calling. She would use her love for the Deaf community to share the gospel and make disciples around the world.

Michael’s journey looked different. Missions had been part of his life from childhood, as his family traveled overseas to serve alongside college students. As a young boy, he even sensed God calling him to become a missionary in China. But as he grew older, he wondered if that calling had simply been his own idea. It wasn’t until college that God started bringing those pieces back together. He sensed God calling him into full-time missions. 

At Bethel University, God connected Michael’s experiences, interests, and relationships in unexpected ways. Through mission trips, a three-month internship in Nigeria, and conversations with mentors, the possibility of missions became increasingly clear. When Michael started dating Lane, her passion for Deaf ministry became another piece of his story.

What initially began for Michael as a desire to support Lane gradually became his own calling. He took ASL classes and started learning to communicate with the Deaf community. Along the way, God opened his eyes to His own heart for Deaf people. “I think being God’s hands and feet through presence is something that I’m really excited to do,” Michael shared.

Now married, Michael and Lane believe God is leading them to Asia, where they hope to serve among Deaf communities and partner with local believers. Their recent vision trip to Asia confirmed that direction. They saw opportunities to connect with a Deaf school, identify people who may otherwise remain unseen and encourage local churches to engage the Deaf community. Asia also holds a special place in their hearts. Michael’s grandparents were born there, and Lane’s grandfather served in Asia as a missionary doctor for several years.

For Michael and Lane, discipleship begins with relationships. It means doing life with people, sharing the gospel, investing personally, and helping others become disciples. “What excites me is seeing that moment when they finally realize who God made them to be and just being able to be a part of it,” Lane stated.

During their time in Asia, they witnessed pastors and disciples carrying the gospel forward, a picture of the multiplication they hope to see among the Deaf community. Their calling is not only to do ministry themselves. They want to equip and empower local believers so that, eventually, the work continues without them.

There are still many unknowns. They are preparing for pre-field training, raising support, and continuing to seek God’s direction. But they are learning that obedience doesn’t always mean having every answer. Sometimes it only means taking the next step. It means communicating God’s love in ways that reach deeper than language. It is about presence, relationship, identity, and hope. It is about showing people who have often been cast aside that they are seen, valued, and loved by their Creator. 

Michael and Lane are stepping forward in faith, trusting God to provide what they need and believing He has been preparing them for this journey all along.

Their prayer is simple: follow where God leads, make disciples, and help others discover the good news of Jesus—till the whole world knows.

*Names and locations have been changed to ensure anonymity.