By Margo Conception,
Mobilization Team,
One Mission Society
Who is pouring
into your life?
Whose life
are you
pouring into?
been someone following a few steps behind me whom I have the responsibility to
encourage in her walk. And so, that which
has been poured into me is, in turn, poured
into others.
or maybe a few steps ahead of me. They
were willing to be vulnerable and share
honestly about their struggles, successes,
and failures. I watched and listened intently as they lived out their faith in front of me.
I saw how they took everything to the Lord
in prayer and watched as he answered in
tangible ways. I saw how his Word impacted their lives daily as they made choices to
put it into practice in everyday situations
with their husbands and children. I learned
to do the same, and as a result, I began
to change and grow in my walk with him,
and I became a better wife and mom as a
result. This experience helped to spark a
passion in me for discipleship and mentoring. I wanted to see others grow in their
intimacy and relationship with Jesus.
Throughout my life, the Lord has always
been faithful to provide someone who is a
few steps ahead of me to learn from, follow, and emulate. He has developed and
matured me at key times through mentoring/discipling relationships that have given
me the courage and strength to take the
steps I probably never would have taken
on my own—to keep on going, to love
more deeply, to use my gifts and passions
in new ways, to step into new roles, or to
follow the Lord’s calling on my life to new
places and to deeper trust in and dependence on him. Each time I have followed
and learned from someone a little ahead
of me, I have found that there has also
In my role as a mobilizer at the OMS
World Headquarters, I have the awesome
privilege of walking alongside and pouring into the new applicants and missionary
candidates in the “pew to plane” process.
From their first inquiry to their departure
for the field, and each step in between
… and even beyond … I have the joy of
shepherding their holy-calling journeys.
Sometimes, this takes the form of just being a good listener and encourager. Other
times, it means taking the role of a mentor
or coach as they progress through each
step of the process. Always, it involves
being willing and available to share the
joys, sorrows, frustrations, and victories of
the journey. My ultimate goal is, by God’s
grace, to see these characteristics overflow into the lives of those they are preparing to serve around the globe and, in doing
so, bring glory to him.
As I look back over the years, I can easily identify individuals who, by their
intentional investment in me, have made a difference in the trajectory of my
life. Each of these relationships has encouraged me to grow and has spurred
me on to reach for more than I might have otherwise. I am grateful for what
they have poured into me, and I, in turn, am intentional about passing it on.
I was first introduced to the concept of mentoring by a group of young
women who regularly met together at my church. I was a new mom, and
it was there that I got to know other young women at the same stage of life,
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photo page 28: Margo talks with Jade, a summer intern
at the OMS World HQ. photos page 29, top: Margo prays
with Kristen Rózsa as she and her family prepare to serve in
Hungary. bottom: Margo spends countless hours on the
phone, answering questions and giving gudiance and
encouragement to new applicants.
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