Emily's Story

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Salt is family. For this reason, I stayed 2 more years after graduating just so I could continue to grow and live with Salt. As I reflect, my time at Salt was a sweet blend of safety and stirring. Salt's leadership & community provided spiritual safety. The gospel was the foundation on which everything else was built. Then from His sacrifice for and delight in me, I was invited to take my next step into His love and will. I was equipped to reach the lost through ordinary discipleship. I was taught to deeply study His Word through Sunday preaching. I was empowered to help start Salt’s international ministry. Now, I am commissioned by Salt to serve overseas. He has been so kind to give me Salt as my church family. 

I remember not wanting to move to India. “Too overwhelming,” I thought. Then, at the Salt conference, of all places the speaker could have said, he spoke of India. India has the highest number of unreached people groups (UPG) of any country. In my city alone, there are over 500 UPGs. When I heard that, I involuntarily started bawling. The need was overwhelming! In India, one of the largest temples dedicated to the idol Ganesh stands. As people are shoved through railed lines, for a few seconds they ask for their heart's desire before a miniature statue of an elephant (Ganesh). Every year, $1.8 million flows through this temple. On its busier days, Ganesh is worshiped by a record 1,500,000 devotees. Think of all those prayers, all those hearts crying out to a god that cannot save, let alone hear or speak. I give my life so that the unreached would know Him!

Financially, I wouldn't be here if not for Salt Church’s support. But relationally, I'm benefitting from Salt sending people like Cheney/Josiah to visit me and sending summer teams to my city. All of this tangibly connects me back to Salt; our partnership builds gospel momentum in this city. Salt’s heart for my region allows us to labor on behalf of it together, reflecting the biblical model of reaching the ends of the earth via the church. Also, Salt members reading my letters, texting me, and video chatting me throughout my time here—such wind in my sails!