From the Diamond to the Field

Kayla began as a collegiate softball player but ended up in cross-cultural ministry after God touched her heart for Romania.

From Message magazine issue "2020 Candidate Issue"

It took Kayla just 15 days for her to know the Lord wanted her to stay on the field longer.

Soon after her arrival to Romania, Kayla felt the Lord challenging her to increase her short-term ministry assignment from one to two years, affording her more time to invest in others and build relationships.

Previously, Kayla had attended a local community college before transferring to Hannibal-LaGrange University, a Baptist school in her home state of Missouri, to finish her academic and athletic career. But she ended up gaining something much more valuable.

The moment she stepped onto her new campus, Kayla noticed something different about those around her. Her classmates, professors, and teammates carried a joy that fascinated her. Having gone to a Catholic school, Kayla believed in God, yet she knew something was missing in her faith.

The Lord began stirring her heart, and when friends invited Kayla to an evening church service, curiosity got the better of her, and she accepted. She remembers being convicted of her sin during the sermon and the pastor offering hope through the gospel.

“No matter how far you walk away from God, all you have to do is turn around, and he will be waiting,” said Kayla, echoing the pastor’s words from that life-changing night. Realizing her deep need to repent and turn from sin, Kayla entrusted her life to Jesus.

After college, she embarked on three separate missions trips to Romania, acquiring short-term experience. Seeing the educational needs of MKs in Romania, Kayla contacted ABWE in the fall of 2017. She left for the field just eight months later.

During her time in Romania, God laid a passion on Kayla’s heart for college students. She is now in prefield ministry in the US and plans to return to Romania as a long-term missionary serving through college ministry, discipleship, and mobilization.


Learn more about Kayla’s ministry here.

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