Autumn Brings “The God Who Sees Me” to the Marginalized in France

“Since about the eleventh grade, God has put it on my heart to work in the mission field, at least in some capacity,” says Autumn. “And I've had a huge interest in going overseas and reaching people who don't have quite as much access to the gospel."  

So, missions has been on her mind for several years now. She even went on a mission trip with her church in high school. When Encompass set up a booth at her school, Cedarville University, she was very interested. “I realized it was a really cool opportunity, so I prayed about it for a long time,” she says. “I believe that this is where God is allowing me to work.” 

Autumn will be serving in France this summer through our team internship program. She’ll be immersed in the culture, attend a French language school, and have opportunities to practice relational ministry with her fellow classmates. “I am really excited,” she says. 

The thing that drives her to reach the least reached is God’s heart for the marginalized. “When I was first introduced to the gospel, I noticed how deeply God cares for each individual person,” she says. One biblical account that really impacted her was how God sent an angel to Hagar when she was desperate in the wilderness. “She calls him ‘The God Who Sees Me,’” Autumn says, “and from that, I got this idea that God is a God who sees the overlooked and the people who don't fit into society.”  

Because of that, she’s been so passionate about trying to reach people who feel like they don’t belong or those who don’t see themselves as a valued member of society. “I think the gospel offers such a beautiful option for them—and for everyone,” she says. “Those people can be part of something bigger. They can be in a family of believers who have eternal life, which is so much better than anything this world can offer!” 

Propelled by God’s heart for the marginalized, Autumn has spent a lot of time at her church working with students who have special needs. “That has been a very fruitful ministry and a great opportunity for introducing a God who sees, understands, and loves them when a lot of times they aren't seen or heard,” she says. “I just think that in going to France, I would be able to do something similar where I can connect with these people on a different level.” 

It’s so obvious that Autumn shares God’s heart for loving those who have been rejected by society. We’re so glad to have her as an intern this summer and can’t wait to see what God does through her and her team in France. Please pray for God to work through her in a mighty way and consider partnering with her as she tells the unseen that they are loved more deeply than they could ever comprehend!