“One person, with a heart completely devoted to God, changed the world.”

The world today teaches that the focus needs to be on self – self-preservation, self-gratification, and self-service. It makes me wonder what might happen if people started following the example with untethered boldness.

One family decided to make a leap that reflects that boldness.

Chris and Kim Todd felt a call to serve God in a bold way. Chris stepped out into pastoring churches and they participated in mission activities. The need to do more continued to grow in their hearts.

Things began to come together. They began to notice a movement of God in the Muslim world. Chris had studied Arabic language at the Defense Language institute and worked as a translator for two years. They began to discuss the idea of becoming full-time missionaries to the Muslim communities.

The Todd family has farmed up in the community for generations, and Chris and Kim continued that tradition with chicken houses and plenty of animals. Leaping into full-time missionary work would require walking away from all of that and even selling a piece of that family tradition.

The family spent time in prayer and discussions about the need for the move and the sacrifices that would be expected all around. It took some time to come to peace with the realization that dirt will never be more important than sharing the Gospel with a world in need.

Following the leading of God can leave the people around you thinking that maybe you have lost your mind. Chris and Kim are blessed to have people around them that are not only holding them up in prayer but that are extending a hand with the whole process.

The Church at Lake Guntersville has stepped in to be partners with the Todds in this endeavor. The Elders of the church are serving as advisors and the authority that the Todds will answer to during their missionary journey. The Church at Lake Guntersville will also be handling all of the financial accounting for the Todds.

Chris and Kim and their four children have already made major adjustments in their lives to begin the journey of serving God in the Muslim community. Selling the farm meant letting go of family traditions. Finances had to be shifted and cut to fit into a smaller, more modest ministry budget. The family dog, Muffin, had to find a new home because dogs are considered unclean by the Muslims and the dog would have caused a hindrance in the ability to connect and share with the community.

Adapting to the Muslim culture will require even more changes along the way.

One of the toughest steps has been the need to reach out and ask for support. It has been awkward for Chris and Kim to ask others to help with funding their calling. Their respect for other missionaries has grown as they realize the discomfort that must be overcome to do what they feel called to do.

“We are willing to do what it takes to follow the calling God has laid in front of us. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and can sell off a few head to provide the funding we need.”

The path the God sets before us often makes little sense to the world. He is unique and has unique designs for each of his children. Chris and Kim are making adjustments to be where they feel they are called, and they are excited by the work of the Holy Spirit that they already see sweeping through the Muslim world.

Chris and Kim Todd and their children are determined to walk in lives that will reflect Jesus. They want to show others that following Jesus does not mean changing the ways of a culture. It just means changing the focus of a heart.

You can help the Todd as they take this journey to the heart of the Muslim world in Lebanon. Contact the Church at Lake Guntersville to see about providing ministry support, contributions or partnerships: 256-582-5312. The Todds welcome anything that you can do to support them intheir walk – but they especially need your prayers.

Follow the experiences of the Todd Family atwww.wordsofisa.org or email them at chris@wordsofisa.org.