CALLED TO GO

David and Lorraine ’s journey toward mission work has been a path of faith, discovery, and obedience. Though they come from vastly different backgrounds—David from a small town in Alberta and Lorraine from sunny California—their shared calling to serve others has united them in purpose.

Both felt the pull toward missions early in life. David’s exposure came through summer ministry teams and Bible camp, while Lorraine’s calling took root after meeting a youth worker from Young Life who was serving as an intern in her home church. Their journeys intersected at the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute (CLBI), where they met, served on a mission trip to Mongolia, and received an affirmation prophecy during an Urban Ministry event.

Since then, they have pursued mission work through the World Mission Prayer League-Canada, coordinated a discipleship ministry, and gone on a vision trip to northern India. Now, as they navigate family loss and permanent residency logistics while discerning their next steps, they remain steadfast in their desire to serve overseas. This interview explores their faith journey, challenges, and the road ahead.

David grew up in a Roman Catholic family in St. Paul, Alberta, a small town two hours east of Edmonton. While faith was always present in his upbringing, his deeper understanding of missions came through the visiting summer ministry teams from CLBI and his formative years at Bible camp. These experiences planted a seed of curiosity and longing for something beyond his hometown.

After high school, David worked as a glazer, installing glass for construction projects. The routine of daily labor was steady but uninspiring. He often found himself reflecting on the ministry teams he had encountered and the lessons from his time at camp. At the age of 22, he finally decided to attend CLBI, seeking deeper knowledge and a stronger faith community. It was there that he met Lorraine, a woman whose life had already been shaped by a strong desire to serve in foreign missions.

Lorraine’s upbringing was quite different. She grew up attending church off and on in Southern California. It was not until high school that her faith took shape, and she became deeply involved in her faith. A church intern at her home church introduced her to the idea of Bible school. Her desire to help people and serve abroad led her to CLBI immediately after graduation. Unlike David, who had taken time to explore his faith before committing to mission work, Lorraine had always felt a pull toward international service. Her stepfather encouraged her to consider the Peace Corps, but she knew that she wanted her work to have a Gospel focus.

David and Lorraine’s shared passion for mission work quickly brought them together. During their second year at CLBI, they were part of the same mission trip to Mongolia, an experience that would shape their vision for future ministry. The trip opened their eyes to the realities of missionary life, the challenges of cross-cultural engagement, and the deep spiritual hunger in remote areas.

During an Urban Ministry event at CLBI, both David and Lorraine received what they felt was an affirmation prophecy, confirming their call to missions. For David, it was a moment of clarity, transitioning from the theoretical knowledge of mission work to an understanding that he was being called to “go.”

As their relationship deepened, so did their commitment to serving overseas. They went on a vision trip to Northern India, exploring potential areas of ministry. For Lorraine, it was a return to familiar ground—she had previously lived with a missionary family in India for a year, gaining firsthand experience of life on the mission field. The trip reinforced their calling, but it also helped them realize that they weren’t tied to one specific location. Instead, they felt drawn to the idea of serving “for a time” in different places as God led them.

In September 2020, David and Lorraine were married in a unique ceremony on the U.S./Canadian border. Just three months later, in December 2020, they were approached by the World Mission Prayer League-USA with an opportunity to coordinate a new venture called the Discipleship House. This ministry allowed young adults to live in community, pray, and discern their own callings to mission work. David and Lorraine dedicated the next three years to leading this initiative, mentoring and equipping the next generation of missionaries.

While their commitment to missions remained strong, life brought unexpected challenges. In early 2024, David’s mother was diagnosed with a fatal illness, prompting the couple to return to Canada to be with family. Her passing was a profound loss, but it also reinforced the importance of being present where they were needed, even if only for a season.

As they continue preparing for overseas ministry, logistical hurdles remain. One of the biggest obstacles is securing Lorraine’s permanent residency in Canada, which would ease their ability to travel and return as needed. They ask for prayers that government relations would allow the process to move forward smoothly.

Another significant decision on their horizon is determining how best to serve once they are on the mission field. They are currently discerning whether a coffee house ministry would be the most effective use of their skills, providing a space for community engagement and discipleship in the region where they feel called.

As they prepare for their next steps, David and Lorraine feel a strong sense of peace about serving among a popular people group in the western part of Mongolia and China. They continue to pray for guidance, trusting that God will open the right doors at the right time. Their experience at the Discipleship House, their vision trips, and their personal journeys have all prepared them for this next chapter.

Ulaanbaator, capital city of Mongolia

Their approach to mission work is not about attachment to a specific location, but about being faithful wherever they are placed. They ask for continued prayers as they navigate residency applications, finalize their mission plans, and complete the practical steps required before they can go overseas.

David and Lorraine’s journey is a testament to faith, perseverance, and the willingness to follow God’s call wherever it leads. As they prepare to take this next step, they remain rooted in prayer, trusting that their journey will unfold exactly as it is meant to.