God's “Top Secret” Meeting

by Jonathan Gatlin

Let me tell you about God's "top secret" meeting that eventually led to a mission trip.

Scott Belmore happened to be in Tennessee for a conference and agreed to meet Sunshine and Jonathan for breakfast. As God would have it, we were also picking up Pastor Robert Gad Wafula from Uganda, Africa at the airport that same morning, just minutes from where Scott was staying. It was one of those moments that only God could orchestrate.

There Jonathan was, sitting at a table with his wife, Sunshine, Scott Belmore, and Robert Gad Wafula. Neither Scott nor Robert realized the significant role they had each played in God's story for Jonathan and Sunshine's lives.

Alaska has always held a special place in Jonathan's heart because it is where he proposed to Sunshine. Africa is where Jonathan first fell in love with Sunshine as he watched her genuine love for people and her heart for serving the Lord. Looking back, he can't help but smile at the way God wrote their story. Years before they met, God called Sunshine to Alaska to serve alongside Scott. On that first mission trip, she met people who later invited her to Uganda, where she met Robert. Then, years later, God brought Sunshine and Jonathan together on a mission trip to Cuba.

They became close friends while living in different states, nearly eight hours apart. Eventually, Jonathan said "yes" to joining Sunshine and Marathon Missions International on a mission trip to an island in the middle of one of the largest lakes in Africa. That trip changed the direction of Jonathan's life forever.

A few years and several mission trips later, Jonathan found himself in Alaska. Within just a few hours of meeting Scott, Jonathan pulled him aside and said, "Man, I need your help. I'm proposing to Sunshine while we're here. Want to see the ring?" No one knew except the men on the mission team what the top secret plan was.

Now, years later, Jonathan and Sunshine found themselves sitting across the breakfast table from the two men who had unknowingly influenced some of the biggest decisions of their lives.

During breakfast, Scott shared something that was still a secret. God was calling his family into a new season of overseas missions, but before they could go, they needed to sell their home. He asked Jonathan if he could help.

Jonathan didn't have to pray long about that request. He knew immediately that he wanted to do whatever he could to help the Belmore family step into the next mission field God was preparing for them. That conversation is what eventually led to another mission trip. This time a team of three men using the gifts God gave them in carpentry and construction to help prepare the Belmore's home for sale.

God gives different gifts to different people. Some are called to preach or sing. Others encourage, disciple, or evangelize. Still others serve with their hands.

Jonathan is at his best for God's kingdom when you place something broken in front of him and give him the opportunity to make it useful again. Jonathan loves repairing homes, remodeling spaces, and using practical skills to serve people. For him, swinging a hammer can be just as much an act of worship as standing behind a pulpit.

Jonathan is incredibly thankful for the freedom to serve God with the gifts He has entrusted to him, and he's grateful for other men who share that same passion for serving others.

Jonathan was on this mission trip because Scott once played a part in God's plan for Sunshine and him. Now it's his privilege to play a small part in helping the Belmore family step into God's next chapter.

Missions is joining God in His work of making Himself known by sharing the gospel, making disciples, and demonstrating the love of Christ to people both across the street and around the world.