December 27, 2021
My Fears Are Gone
Regardless of age, stage of life, or circumstances—may we always remain open to God’s calling.
by Shana Camara
Alliance international worker serving in Portugal
I was in Orlando, Florida, enjoying the experience of leading a group of teens at The Alliance’s LIFE Conference. During an altar call for the teens to accept the call to full-time ministry, I unexpectedly heard the Holy Spirit speak to me in His quiet and bold way, “Go.” The last thought on my mind that morning was that I may be one of those called. I was 41 years old and had been planting churches with Luke, my husband, for 18 years. I had already been called! Or so I thought.
My first reaction was, “What?” I had always had very strong reservations about serving overseas. I had lots of fears. Luke, on the other hand, had been saying for years that he thought our next ministry assignment would be overseas. Whenever he mentioned it, I didn’t want to give a flat-out “no”, but I would definitely feel fear rising in me. I was afraid of leaving loved ones, afraid of what going overseas could mean for our kids, afraid for my safety, and even afraid for our health and wellbeing.
After that moment when I felt the Lord’s call, we started to explore what it might look like to serve an unreached nation overseas. As we answered the call to go, we decided to only walk through doors that God opened for us. We knew that if God was going to send us, He would make the way clear. We were not in a hurry! But God did open doors, bringing confirmation and grace to us in so many ways. After much seeking and prayer, we are thrilled to have joined the team in Portugal in August 2021.
After that moment when I felt the Lord’s call, we started to explore what it might look like to serve an unreached nation overseas. As we answered the call to go, we decided to only walk through doors that God opened for us. We knew that if God was going to send us, He would make the way clear. We were not in a hurry! But God did open doors, bringing confirmation and grace to us in so many ways. After much seeking and prayer, we are thrilled to have joined the team in Portugal in August 2021.
As I reflect on that altar call, I remember watching the kids stream forward like a tide coming in, and Luke looking over and seeing me crying. He thought I was emotional because of the kids responding. He had no idea that God had just called me and, at that moment, all of my past fears completely disappeared.