Aaron Branches Beyond Finance to Explore Missions in Asia

"My natural tendency is to shut down things,” Aaron says. “I’ll hear about something and realize it’s important, but then I’ll tell myself that it just isn't for me.” But once Aaron recognized that pattern in his life, he started looking for more ways to step out and become more involved.

One way he did this was by serving as a leader at a kids’ camp where International Justice Mission (IJM) gave a compelling presentation. As they educated the campers on the marginalized and modern-day slavery, God led Aaron to talk to one of the representatives afterwards. That person told Aaron something that has stuck with him ever since: “Now you can never say you didn’t know.” Aaron says, “That was kind of a gut-check.”

With a growing burden for the marginalized, Aaron then went on a mission trip to Costa Rica last summer with a young adult group from his church. “On that trip, I learned how little Americans rely on the Spirit and how much believers in other countries do,” he says. “Even in a week, you can see prayers being answered and the Spirit moving.”

As he continued growing in openness, Aaron began considering ministry as a possible career path. "I have to be caring for the entire world—not just the 30-mile radius around me,” he says. He’s currently studying Consumer Economics at The Ohio State University and working in the finance industry, but he wants to remain open to whatever God has for him. “If the Lord’s calling me to anything in ministry, I want to take steps to allow myself to be open to that,” he says.

So when his pastor presented an exploratory mission trip to Southeast Asia with Encompass, Aaron thought to himself, “Well, I don’t want to shut that down.” So in the summer of 2026, Aaron will participate in our team internship program to Thailand and Cambodia. On this month-long experience, he will be immersed in the culture, gain hands-on ministry experience, and explore God’s calling on his life.

We’re so encouraged by Aaron’s story and all the ways that God has grown him over these past few years! Please pray for God to give him clarity during his internship, and consider partnering with Aaron as he seeks God’s will for his life.