One pillar of our Awaken initiative is to restore hope to the world: we want to link arms with strategic partners already doing great work locally and globally. Some of these partners are individuals, and in this story, we highlight one who grew up at Traders Point and is now serving as a full-time missionary.
Gabriel grew up at Traders Point, deeply involved in Kids and Youth and served on the Production Team. His mom had a heart for missions and passed it along to him. Through her, Gabriel was introduced to Back2Back Ministries on a Traders Point mission trip at just 15 years old.
That first trip left a mark. Though he was intrigued by the idea of interning with Back2Back, he felt too young to make the commitment. Instead, he returned again and again with his mom and our outreach team. Each visit confirmed God’s quiet nudge toward something more.
After high school, Gabriel had plans to enlist in the Coast Guard. But before enlisting, he committed to one last summer with Back2Back as an intern. While leading worship and serving in children’s homes, God shifted his course to commit to full-time missionary work. A Back2Back house parent spoke Proverbs 16:9 into his life: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Another night after worship, another leader told him, “I feel like God’s saying to just say yes. We often know what we want to do, but what we really should do comes from Him—and it’s always better.”
Gabriel knew in that moment that God was calling him to something unexpected. In 2023, at just 20 years old, he stepped out in faith and became a full-time missionary with Back2Back Ministries. For the past two years, he has served on their maintenance and construction team, stewarding resources to care for children’s homes and help families thrive.
It hasn’t always been easy. Missionary work requires constant fundraising, and while God provided for his first year through personal support and a gift from his grandmother, Gabriel wasn’t sure how he would stay beyond that. A mentor encouraged him to reconnect with his sending church. Reaching back out to us opened the door for a new chapter of support.
Today, through the generosity of our church family, Traders Point is Gabriel’s largest financial partner, funding his ministry quarter after quarter and making it possible for him to stay on the mission field full-time.
When asked what advice he’d give to someone hesitant about missions, Gabriel said,
“Mission trips are incredible and valuable. You get to be part of a different culture, and even though you’re there to help, the people bless you in return. It’s not about finishing a project. It’s about being part of the body of Christ and seeing what God has for you.”
Gabriel’s story is a reminder that when you give, you’re helping people step fully into God’s calling on their lives.
Want to experience what God might have for you? Learn more about how you can come alongside our local and global partners to restore hope and share the love of Jesus.