Go Into All the World

TeenPact Leadership Schools, in conjunction with the Jimmy Brazell Foundation, presented the First Annual Jimmy Brazell Impact Scholarship Third Place Award to TeenPact student Jordan Koornneef from Colorado.

Read her award-winning essay below, written in response to the topic question, “How have you impacted the world or your community through servant-minded, Christ-like love?”

Jimmy Brazell. Just an ordinary man, unknown to most. Yet an extraordinary man who lived for Jesus and left a legacy. Jimmy was a musician, both a song leader and a writer of godly music. Jimmy was a missionary, a courier of hope to China. Jimmy is an inspiring man, a man who lived his life to advance the kingdom of God. Most interesting to me is the fact that he served as a missionary to the Chinese people, for this is also my desire. At the age of twelve, I saw God begin to open my heart to the lost people of China. Studying Chinese language and history, I am further drawn to this beautiful, unique people and land. To love God and share His love is my high calling. To do so among the Chinese people in China has been my privilege and is my dream. Like Jimmy Brazell, I desire to live my ordinary life in an extraordinary way – by loving God and living sold out for Him.

Even as God prepared Jimmy, God is preparing me. About a year ago, when I was thirteen, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to China with my mom and five other friends. Our mission was to smuggle as many Chinese Bibles as possible to the Christians living in mainland China from Hong Kong. This exciting adventure was the best sixteen days of my life! The joy that I witnessed in the smile from one Chinese man who had helped us unload our precious cargo, was so rewarding. In miraculous ways, I saw God provide for me – for example, for my youth and my flat feet. Over the course of a week, I alone of all my team members was not stopped by customs officials – until the very last trip. My feet, which are sore when walking the few blocks of my neighborhood, never hurt when walking the miles upon miles in China. Equally amazing as an answer to prayer, my team along, with the long term missionaries who were guiding us, carried 7.1 tons or 13,536 Bibles into China. These Bibles were shipped to 15 different provinces to be distributed among the underground-churches. Chosen long ago, my life’s verse was uniquely underscored this trip: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” – Romans 10:15. I am eager to return. I desire not only to walk for a time but to live for years among these beautiful people of China.

I cried when it was time to leave. I pray about going back. While my life is ordinary, my ambition is extraordinary. My dream is to create an orphanage for neglected children in China. Sadly, Chinese people live under a “One-Child” policy. Since this rule is in place, the second or third children of a family are often abandoned or killed. And even first born female children are often unwanted or destroyed. To create a safe haven for these beautiful, forgotten children where they can learn of the love of Jesus Christ, their Savior, Protector, and Father is my deepest desire. I have often spoken of having a dozen children. Maybe God will reward my desire and exceed my wildest dreams through orphans! “Children are a reward from the Lord.” – Psalm 127:3b

But I am not now in China. I am bound by a time of childhood and circumstances beyond my control, like Jimmy! Until God would see fit to open both His timing and the means to go to China full time, I plan on living my life as light for Jesus, ministering to whomever is before me. I want to live in such a way that others will ask where my joy comes from, giving me opportunities to tell of Jesus, the source of my joy. (“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16.) Another scripture motivates me; “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12. Through this instruction, I see that God values ordinary means to effect extraordinary outcomes. Witnessing both in life and tongue to my neighbors and friends as well as to strangers will prepare me for the difficult challenge of ministering to the lost and hopeless people in a Communistic China. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will guide me in God’s will for my life. Only through the power of the Spirit can I succeed in anything, for “Apart from Him, we can do nothing.” – John 15:5b

Just like Jimmy Brazell, I want my living to make a difference – for God, in this time and for all eternity. No matter where I live or what I do, I simply want to live my life sold-out for Jesus. From a young age, in ordinary ways and extraordinary ones, I pray to be a living sacrifice and a young woman who inspires others to be the same. Specifically, I pray to be a courier of hope to China one who reaches the people of China with God’s love. I hear my God’s command: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” – Mark 16:15 Starting just like Jimmy Brazell, right here, right now, I begin.