My Story
Emily Neufeld
I am a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and lover of Christ. For the past five years I have been involved with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in full time missions. God has used missions to grow and develop me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
Lets take it back
I grew up in a family of eight. Two loving parents and five siblings. One older brother, an older sister, and three younger sisters. Our house was always busy whether we were at practices, siblings games or at home hosting friends for pool parties and dinner. I was so privileged to grow up in my household where I had opportunities before me, I was taught good work ethic and inspired to shoot for the stars.
Growing up in a Christian family I was introduced to God at a very young age, I asked for Jesus to become a part of my life when I was 4/5 years old and was baptized at the age of nine. Through high school, despite my questions and doubts, I went to youth group, took part in discipleship programs and tried to be a good Christian. Things really shifted when I was 17 but I’ll share more on that later.
Throughout my childhood I was a very dedicated, but rarely to just one thing. There was a part of me that always wanted to try something new. I took several years of piano, then moved onto fiddle, voice lessons, alto sax, and guitar throughout my years in school. I also played many sports and tried a verity of arts. In a way I see this as God preparing me for the lifestyle of missions; always trying something new, and always giving it my all.
Entering into missions
As I began to plan for after high school I applied to collages, thought about future jobs and made plans to move away from home but God had other plans for me. About two months before graduation I applied to do a Discipleship Training School (DTS) through YWAM in Haiti. I thought maybe that would be a good thing to do before starting ‘real life’ after high school. I was denied.
I wasn’t denied because of some terrible sin or character flaw but because of an auto-immune disease I had since I was 3 years old. Celiac Disease. A few weeks later while I was at a youth conference and God healed me of celiac disease! I emailed the leaders and they told me I could go to Haiti to do my DTS! One month later I landed in Haiti and began my journey with YWAM. I have a dynamic DTS story and entry into missions but God has been so faithful through every step of the way!
Through DTS and my early years in missions God radically changed my life. I learned what it means to follow him, that discipleship is a journey, freedom is possible, and the future is bright. Though I still face many battles I know that I can have confidence in God’s plans for my life.
What now?
Currently I serve at YWAM Ships Kona in their training ministry. My focus is helping serve our staff development program. I get to help with the development, facilitation, and administration of the course which is registered with the University of the Nations as an AA degree in Christian leadership. But more than that it is a place of safety and belonging for staff to come and grow together as we serve the nations.
