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About Melissa

Mission Work

I have a passion for witnessing to the peace and reconciliation of God in Christ. God is a mystery of love. Love preserves unique truths while seeking deeper truths. Love establishes justice and protects boundaries while simultaneously bridging them. The Gospel shows up in our diverse world as Love in context. The Gospel of the Kingdom dismantles systems of oppression while at the same time honoring our differences and celebrating our oneness!

After more than two decades living and working in the Muslim-majority contexts of Bangladesh and Oman, I am now in a transitional time of ministry. I serve as Missionary in Residence at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. The seminary serves students online and in-person, from all over the United States and 27 countries around the world.

I aim to connect people with interest and experience in cross-cultural ministry so that a network of support and opportunity can be fostered, and the global church can be strengthened. I see exciting collaboration to support the development of a Reformed approach to dialogue, to understanding Islam and other religions, as well as witness of God’s love with those in the communities where God places us.

Vision

Though comparatively a small denomination, God has used the Christian Reformed Church of North America to develop Christian leaders around the world. As a Resonate Global Mission missionary, I serve to connect the CRC, her mission organization, and her theological school, so that together we can continue our part in sharing the love of God in our world. 

During my time with Calvin Theological Seminary, I aim to expand a community understanding of interest in global mission so that we continue sharing the Good News of God’s Kingdom, together. I am passionate about helping us also consider how our engagement with the other changes each of us as we practice our own walk with Christ. May we be convinced of the need for others to hear the gospel, and also see more clearly that God is using our interactions with the stranger to deeper our own faith and understanding of God’s widening grace and deepening love.

I am committed to being transformed into a “dwelling where God lives by his Spirit” as I extend the peace of Christ in all I do. I delight in doing this formation in community, learning with and from those I serve.

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