The simplest answer?
Our family felt a profound call to move to Scotland through a series of confirmations, prayer, and fasting. We were content and settled—a part of a thriving church, living on a small farm, and watching our kids grow up surrounded by great friends. Why would we leave such a wonderful ministry that God had blessed us to be part of for so many years? Why give that up to venture into a new land without family, friends, a church, a home, or an established place of employment, and instead step into the unknown, raising support as missionaries? The simplest answer, though sometimes the most complex, is this: we felt God’s leading in a way that compelled us to put everything on the table. We could have played it safe and stayed, always wondering, “What might have been? What opportunities with the Lord did we miss?” Or, we could risk it all, knowing there was a chance we could be wrong—but at least we would never wonder about what could have been. And so, here we are. Called to a land rich in history, culture, and deep Christian roots, we believe Scotland is where God has called us to apply our vision and mission.
A Scriptural Foundation
As we reflected on our calling, a passage from Matthew 4:12-17 deeply resonated with us:
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.” – Matthew 4:15-16
Following God’s Call
Just as Jesus fulfilled prophecy by moving from His hometown of Nazareth to Capernaum, we began seeking God’s direction in January 2019, asking, “What transition are You calling us to make? What move are You asking of us?” At first, we didn’t understand why He would ask us to move; we only knew He was calling us to step out in faith. When the global pandemic struck in 2020, we initially thought that might be it—that God wasn’t asking us to relocate but instead preparing us for a new season of ministry. However, as time went on, we realized His call was for something deeper. It wasn’t just a shift in focus but a physical move to a new place, a new mission field. We felt God asking us to go to a place with fewer Christians, a place where we could help bring people out of darkness and into the light of His love.
The Journey of Discovery
As we sought to discern God’s direction, we turned to pastors and leaders who had navigated significant seasons of change, learning from their experiences of how God guided them. Following their wise counsel, we prayed, fasted, and earnestly sought where God was leading us. We visited various places across the U.S. that were in need of churches and pastors, reflecting on our past experiences and praying over each location. Yet, none of them felt like the right fit or aligned with the direction God was leading us. Everything changed during a drive back from a marriage retreat with other pastors in Maine. We decided to make a stop in Boston to see if this might be where God wanted us next. While there, Haley said, “I don’t think it’s here.” I assumed she meant Boston, but then she clarified, “No, I don’t think it’s here… in America.” That moment marked a pivotal turning point, leading us to wonder where else God might be calling us. Soon after, we received an invitation to join a vision trip to Scotland. We approached it with open hearts, ready to serve, pray, and reflect, hoping to explore ways we could partner with the needs there. Moving to Scotland wasn’t even on our radar. But within just a few days of being there, the realization began to take hold: Scotland might be where God was calling us.
A Deep Connection
One unforgettable moment during our trip to Scotland was when I, Jody, asked to pray over a kind Scot who had been so gracious to us. He and his family had served us hot meals and shared lively conversations about Scotland, often sprinkled with humor. After I prayed for him, he asked for my surname. When I told him, he smiled and said, “Oh, we have the same surname—you know we are from the same clan.” At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of his words, but later I learned that my family’s roots trace back to Scotland. That revelation deepened our sense of connection and calling to this nation. As we explored more about Scotland’s spiritual climate, the pull toward this land grew stronger. We began to reflect on the words of Matthew’s Gospel: “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light.” Despite its rich Christian heritage, evangelicals today make up only about 2% of Scotland’s population. This is the same land once known as the “Land of the Book,” where the Reformation took root. It’s where preachers like Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart gave their lives for the Gospel, and where John Knox helped ignite a revival that shaped history. Scotland’s spiritual legacy includes the Glorious Revolution, which ended 28 years of persecution, during which an estimated 18,000 people were killed or endured immense suffering for their faith. The weight of this history and the current spiritual need have only strengthened our resolve to answer God’s call to Scotland.
A New Revival
It’s hard to imagine how a land once so alive with revival now has only 2% of its population identifying as evangelical Christians. We believe God is calling us to Scotland to stand alongside the faithful remnant that remains and to pray fervently for another great revival to ignite in Scotland and spread throughout Western Europe. Will you join us in partnership and prayer for Scotland? Together, we can believe for a move of God that will transform lives and restore hope!