Jesse Leavelle had experienced so much loss. As a sophomore in high school his best friend ended his life. Due to Covid he lost the end of his senior year and graduation, and then was unable to attend the college he wanted to in person. He had a difficult break up with his girlfriend, and after finding his way to La Sierra he ended up with three more losses of close friends, including his roommate. He wanted to feel better and was smoking to cope with his feelings.
After attending a Loma Linda University depression and anxiety treatment program and getting sober, a trusted mentor encouraged him to serve as a student missionary. “I won’t be doing it for the kids, I’d be doing it for me,” Jesse said. His mentor encouraged him that this might be enough.
A year later, after serving as a missionary in Guam teaching PE to grades pre-K through 10, Jesse states that he has found healing, friends, a dog, and growth in his relationship with God. “I’ve known God, but I’ve never walked with God,” he reflected. As he worked with the kids and started praying more, he found his relationship with God deepening. Jesse has found a new way of living, taking life with God instead of worrying and micromanaging. He also found lifelong friendships and direction for the next steps forward for his own career path and educational journey.
The decision to be a missionary ended up being a good thing for kids, too. “I was able to share my testimony at the school with the kids,” Jesse says. “While they didn’t go through all the same things, some kids were struggling with loss and depression. It got real and I had some amazing connections with them.”
It is clear that Jesse has loved taking time to be a student missionary. He says he brought his love of hockey with him, teaching the kids to play in the gym and handing out a few jerseys to the students who seemed the most eager to learn. While the days have been long and tough, it is something he is very glad he did. Through this experience he has a testimony about God’s guidance in his life as he feels he might not have remained clean and sober if he had not chosen to go. God knew what He was doing and what direction He wanted to take Jesse’s life. Since Jesse chose to answer the call and follow in faith, he reaped the rewards God had in store for him.
Does God have a blessing for you—one that you would not get if you did not answer His call on your life? If you are thinking about becoming a missionary, Jesse says, “Pray about it, one hundred percent, but at the same time, do it. It will be the hardest and the best experience. So much growth will come out of it. The connection and community you will have will stay with you for a long time. To be able to show these kids who God is, is so special. Even though I was never the ideal missionary and have my imperfections, my relationship with God was still strong and I’ve been able to share God and His righteousness by faith.”
After Jesse wrapped up the school year he was able to take a few quick trips to Japan and then Australia on his way back home. He saw the world, met people, shared the gospel, and continued drawing nearer to God while becoming the healthy son of God he has desired to be. May you also be someone who answers the call and discovers what God has in store for you.
Holly Lastine is married to Pastor Leif Lastine and lives in Duluth, MN.
