I recently had the chance to do a six-month missions program in Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) with an organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). While it was considered a “short-term” trip, the impact it had — and continues to have — on me is far from temporary.

I saw God move in ways I never imagined. I witnessed the Holy Spirit work powerfully in my heart and the lives of others. Prayers were answered in real time. Tears were shed. Chains were broken. My faith in Jesus deepened more each day.

But one of my most remarkable takeaways was quite unexpected. I went across the world to discover there are endless opportunities to share and live out the gospel no matter where you are.

The need is the same

The main reason I signed up for the assignment was to join a medical ship in PNG. While I know God called me there as a photographer, I also expected something more: a “mountaintop” moment. An out-of-my-world, life-changing experience where lives were saved and transformed. After all, I was a missionary, right?

The ship was an incredible ministry, but to my surprise, one of the most impactful weeks for me was spent at a disability center. The residents there had both intellectual and physical disabilities. Many had been dropped off as young children, rarely or never received personal visitors, and seldom left the property.

When we first arrived, the center felt quiet; by our final day it was full of life. Whether I was laughing with someone, singing with them, or simply sitting in their presence, I was continually struck by the power of making someone feel seen. And I kept thinking: There are people at home who need this same love. There are disability centers in my city, and there are people everywhere who are lonely and desire a friend.

The truth is, the work I did on the other side of the world can be done anywhere, and it needs to be done everywhere. In addition to the ship and disability home, we also helped with youth ministries, evangelized in cities, served at community events, fed families in need, and hosted public worship and Bible studies. I’d be a liar if I said any of these things aren’t also needs in my home city.

Answer the call

I believe we’re all meant to be missionaries. The question isn’t if you’re called — it’s how God is calling you, and whether you’ll respond.

Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations.” James 1:27 also tells us,

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Whoever you are, wherever you go, God has called you to share the gospel and care for others. International missions are vitally important. There are countless organizations across the world in need of help, and according to Joshua Project, more than three billion people have little to no access to the gospel. The need for workers is urgent.

But don’t assume that serving overseas is more meaningful simply because it’s far from home. I’ve wanted to be a missionary since childhood, but somewhere along the way I started to believe missions abroad are more powerful than local ones. That just isn’t true.

The impact of loving your neighbor, feeding those in need, caring for the sick, looking after orphans and widows, proclaiming the gospel in public, or giving generously isn’t determined by geography. The Good News is needed everywhere; the most important thing is to ask God where He’s calling you.

He led me to Australia last year, and I believe He will call me back to international missions. For now, though, I am home in the U.S., and that doesn’t mean I stop serving and loving others.

You too have been called. Pray and ask God how He desires to use you. Maybe He wants to take you to new places, or maybe your adventure is right in your hometown. Wherever He leads, you can begin to live out the gospel in love — starting today.

Copyright 2025 Lily Combs. All rights reserved.