Hi! My name is Alaysia and I simply want to say thank you for taking the time to learn about God’s mission and vision over my life!

I’m from Pasadena, CA and I am a Senior Political Science major with a double minor in African American Studies and Theology at Loyola Marymount University. Since 2022, I’ve felt the Lord calling me to become a full-time missionary once I complete my degree this coming May. Although I do still desire to further my education one day, I will first be joining YWAM (Youth With a Mission) in September 2023.

As a child, I always questioned if God existed. I spent years of my life claiming the title, ‘Christian’, but I had not chosen Jesus personally. I assumed He was a man in the sky that watched my life from afar. Christianity was a religion, not a relationship, and so I assumed that I could just ‘join’ Christianity later in life, and thus proceeded to excuse living my life the way I desired. When I started university, I was excited to explore ‘college life’ and relationships, but all I found was temporary happiness and long-lasting brokenness. Nothing would fully heal the holes in my heart. However, one night during 2020, amidst my depression and brokenness, I encountered the healing, transformative, and redeeming power of Jesus Christ. He picked me up, healed me, and comforted me in a way I had never experienced before. God showed me a deeper love than any relationship I had had on this earth. He transformed my mind and revealed Himself to me as my father, my best friend, and my provider. I am not perfect. I do not know everything about Jesus. I am still healing. But ultimately, He chose me and continues to choose me everyday, even in my brokenness. And now, I’m happy to say that I have been choosing Him daily, and can’t wait to continue to choose Him daily in my next season with YWAM.

YWAM is a Christian, non-profit organization that trains and sends out young people with burning hearts for Jesus to the ends of the earth, to carry the love of Christ to every nation. With YWAM, I will complete a 6-month Discipleship Training School (DTS). During the first 3 months, I will be in a Lecture Phase in Kona, Hawaii. During this phase, I will attend classes everyday, learning more about the Bible, God, and my relationship with Him. Through this, I will be equipped and trained for Outreach, the second phase, where I’ll be sent out with a team to tell others about Jesus! On Outreach, we will spend three months pouring into communities and sharing the gospel. I can’t wait to be on the front lines for Jesus.

I am aware that, to some, this may sound like a 6-month, post-grad vacation, because, who wouldn’t want to go to Hawaii? But, I have faith that DTS will be a true educational experience worth my time. In fact, it may even be a more powerful experience than my academic education has been. During DTS, I will seek and know God for myself, not for what my family believes in or what I have been conditioned to know as someone who grew up going to church. I will develop consistency in my relationship with Jesus and work on healing and surrendering wounds in my heart from past trauma. I feel thrilled and overjoyed to think that I have the opportunity to grow my firm foundation in Christ; knowing the One who created me and allowing Him to do surgery on my heart, renew my mind, break generational curses, and use me to declare revival over my generation!

As I prepare for full-time missions, I find myself honored with the responsibility to gather a family of people who are willing to partner with me in prayer and finances! In order to walk out in the fullness of God's calling over my life, I am looking for family, friends, and fellow believers who feel led to sow into me and believe in the call God has over my life. As a financially independent young adult who has been providing for herself for over three years, even I find it strange to be asking others for sponsorship. However, I’ve realized that, despite my discomfort, it is actually a privilege and honor to fully rely on the Lord for provision through His children.

I feel reminded of what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me".

I am fully surrendering and trusting that He will provide the $10,000 I need to fulfill the calling that He has on my life. The money I am raising will cover all 6-months of tuition, food, housing, transportation, and flights.

I express thanksgiving in advance to God and any of you who are able to support me in prayer and/or finances; it truly means the world!

Thank you for partnering with me!

Alaysia Barker-Vaughn