The why behind May is for Missions

Introduction

For the third year in a row, we’re making May all about missions! 

In case you’re new here or don’t know what I’m talking about, May is for Missions is our community’s annual rallying point. Each year, they raise awareness for unreached people groups and fundraise to help send missionaries to them. 

This May, we’ve got two missionary partners ready to obey God’s call to share the gospel with those who have never heard it: Gideon + Celine Griffin (headed to South Asia) and Libby (headed to East Asia). The only thing stopping them is student debt! 

This edition of The Thread is all about them and how you can be part of their stories! So get ready, %firstName%—this May is going to be a good one! 

Meet the Missionaries

Libby grew up in Iowa, coming to faith at five years old. Around that same age, a burden for the unreached began to take shape in her heart. 

It sharpened the day she heard the story of Jim Elliot. “I resonated with his surrendered heart to the Lord no matter the cost,” she shared, “in order that some might come to know Jesus.” That calling has moved her toward the unreached in East Asia ever since.

Like many missionaries, getting there would require a college degree, but that also brought the burden of student debt. Libby kept taking jobs in ministry and discipleship—work that blessed people around her, but did little to help cut down her loans. 

She kept moving forward anyway.

That’s when she found The Go Fund. After completing the application process, she was approved to have her student debt eliminated! “It’s more than just financial provision,” Libby said. “It’s a confirmation of the Lord’s leading in my life. An answer to one of those prayers you’re almost afraid to pray.”

Libby plans to join a church planting team in East Asia so she can share the gospel through outdoor adventuring across her region. We can’t wait to see how God works through her service on the field!

Gideon and Celine Griffin are from Birmingham, Alabama. For the past five years, God has been steering their family toward long-term international missions—not the path they originally planned for, but one they’ve embraced nonetheless.

They’re preparing to move to a UPG in South Asia, where over 99% of people live without gospel access. “The average person there lives their life with no exposure to the gospel,” the Griffins shared. “They have very little interaction with anyone outside of their own country or community.” They are a people with a rich history but also a need for the good news of Jesus.

Today, Gideon is finishing a medical fellowship that will give him and Celine access to the field in South Asia. But while an education like this opens doors to the unreached, it also brings the burden of student debt. To leave for the field, their sending agency has determined they need to be nearly debt free—meaning years of working here at home instead of among those who have never heard of Jesus. 

Thankfully, the Griffins found The Go Fund and were approved! Through the faithfulness of many generous believers (just like you!), their student debt will be paid in full as they take the gospel to South Asia. “This allows us to use the gifts and skills we have been given to hopefully bring those who are in darkness into God’s marvelous light.”

They see the community behind The Go Fund the way the early church saw one another—a body sharing in a common mission. “Even though we haven’t met them, they are brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot wait for the day we can unite in Heaven and rejoice over what God has accomplished.” 

This is your moment

Now that you’ve met these missionary partners, we want to invite you into their stories.Libby is ready to go to East Asia, the Griffins are ready to go to South Asia, and the unreached are waiting. All that’s standing in their way is student debt. 

%firstName%, will you consider joining us this May is for Missions so we can help send these missionary partners? It’s a great way to share the joy you’ve found in the Great Commission with friends and family—all while advancing the gospel where it’s needed most! There are two ways you can get involved:

1. Become an Ambassador: Fundraise for Libby and the Griffins by leveraging your time and talents this month. Host a coffee pop-up, sell baked goods, put on a community event. Whatever you decide, our team is here to help you make it happen! 
2. Get your family involved: We’ve made a packet full of activities for you and your kids! Request yours today and challenge other families to join the fun! 
3. Make a gift: join our Ropeholder community by giving monthly or make a special one-time gift! 

On behalf of everyone at AIRO, we are so thankful for your faithful support—in prayer, giving, and sharing about the work we’re doing this May. 

We send with great joy.

It’s our greatest privilege to help send missionary partners like Libby and the Griffins to the field and to keep them there long-term! We don’t want you to miss out on it.

Want to get in on the action? Make a gift today and advance the gospel to the unreached!