Brian takes a journey of trust to land on God's perfect role
By Tohru Inoue, SIM Stories East Africa | South Sudan in East Africa
Brian lectures to health staff in South Sudan
I sat with Brian in a Nairobi coffee shop, just before he set off for South Sudan to meet with SIM clinic staff.
Brian helps run learning and leading on SIM’s international health team. His passion is helping health ministries around the world carve out their ministry purpose and then watch them fulfill it.
Before joining SIM, he had been serving happily with Cure International but when the pandemic struck they were forced to downsize and his role was eliminated. It led to a dark time. Tears welled in his eyes as he told the story. Had he missed the signals God was giving him?
But, in the midst of that, God spoke.
He asked Brian, then 58, to move forward in faith as a full-time, support-raising mission worker. Raising financial support at his age was definitely a steep test of his faith and of his trust in God.
Just like many of us, Brian thought he knew what trusting God was. He’d grown up on the same healthy diet of the stories of Abraham, Moses, Peter on the waves and he knew he trusted God.
But the truth was that Brian was afraid. He was afraid of being poor and about his retirement savings, especially in the post-pandemic financial climate. How could he ask family, peers and the church to open their wallets and give at a time when they were struggling with the cost of living? They had enough to worry about without having to support a 58 year-old.
But Brian’s wife, Ruby, recognised what God was doing and her answer to Brian’s questions was simple: “We’re not 20 and poor, we’re 60 and poor and we’ll see Jesus soon. So, you know, I’m in.”
Brian also recalled all the things God had done in his life. There was a lot to rest his faith on.
He now sees what was on the other side of that wall of fear. It was work that was made for him. Things that were tailor-made by God for Brian to do.
He said: “He who listens to the deep things in my heart… He knows what’s good. He knows exactly how I can experience that. So I trust him.”
His wife was right. God was right.
The journey has brought him around the world, working alongside medical professionals bringing the hope of the gospel home to people. It’s a dream!
He who listens to the deep things in Abraham, Moses, Peter and Brian’s heart… he knows what he’s doing.
You can trust him.
Pray
• For the many people who are facing daunting asks from God
• That the Lord would provide for the many called into full-time ministry
• That Brian would have more opportunities to help others sharpen their medical and health ministry focus
Related stories
In Carrie’s classroom, Jesus is shaping hearts and minds for his kingdom
When mission workers with young families leave their home country, a major concern is how their children will get on. While the parents are out serving, the kids need stability, education, and spiritual nurturing. That’s where teachers like Carrie come in. Originally from Kansas, Carrie now teaches at a mission school in Liberia, part of Dakar Academy in Senegal, shaping young hearts and minds for God’s kingdom.
What might God do in 2025?
As we step into 2025, there is a sense of excitement and expectancy among those serving in mission work worldwide. From remote villages to bustling cities, SIM’s Entity Directors are preparing for what lies ahead, trusting God to bring transformation and hope to unreached and underserved communities. To gain insight into their vision and prayers for the year, we spoke with leaders across the globe about their hopes, challenges, and how the global Christian community can pray and support their work.
How the local church in France adapts to secularism and a changing society
France is a country of contrasts: rich in history, arts, and culture. Yet, as French native Vincent, Head of Communications for SIM France/Belgium, explains, it is also a nation of deep spiritual need. Things are starting to change, though. There is a growing openness to faith and a pressing need for mission work.
