Nehemiah Ishaya is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. As a member of United Methodist Church Baitalami Filiya in the Northern Nigeria Annual Conference, Nehemiah is a choir member and leader. He is also actively involved in the youth ministry. Nehemiah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in general agriculture, agriculture and soil science at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He served as managing director of Concept and Digital Solutions in Abuja, Nigeria. As a Global Mission Fellow, he hopes to “serve diligently in my local community and place of assignment, bringing new ideas and also using my ICT skills and education to ensure I serve humanity. “My spiritual growth,” he said, “is described by my ability to recognize, experience and respond to God. This increases by the quality time I devote in my service to God, meditation, prayer and study.” Nehemiah treasures opportunities to participate in the church as he teaches and builds cordial relationships with others. “I cannot deny the fact that God is still helping and strengthening me to grow spiritually,” he said. “I yearn to know more and understand God’s plans for my life and for His people. I hunger to be among the gathering of believers, hearing God’s words and meditating on it. I can forgive without holding back because the Bible teaches us to forgive one another and, by doing so, God will also forgive us.” Nehemiah strives to follow Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) to go into the world and make disciples. “On this,” he said, “I always draw strength.” He is eager to share his knowledge, skills, experience and time. “Rendering a little help will cause big smiles on the faces of other people,” Nehemiah said.

Ratlon Machona is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service. The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. She earned a diploma/certificate in registered midwifery at Solwezi College of Nursing, Public Health and Midwifery, and worked at Choma General Hospital/Government Hospital. At Pilgrim Wesleyan Church in Choma, Zambia, Ratlon teaches Sunday school and participates in the praise team. “My embarking of my personal spiritual growth,” she said, “[occurred when I learned] that before anything else, I had to discover myself and my identity in the things of God. “For years, Ratlon believed that knowing God only required attending worship every Sunday. In college, she met friends who shared that one can grow spiritually “by doing that which makes you deeply feel the presence of God over your life,” Ratlon explained. “The Bible says, ‘To many, different gifts are given.’” She discovered that she feels closest to God when she sings. In 2021, she gave her life to Christ, asking him to be her personal Lord and Savior. “Only he can save me from the sins of the world,” Ratlon realized. “I joined the baptism class. Since then, I have really seen God’s glory and honor over my life because I took this step.” A midwife by profession, she hopes to offer her services to help reduce maternal and neonatal death. Describing her call to mission, Ratlon said, “I have that sense of purpose of many personal ambitions such as wining more souls to God. I also feel called to impact lives, not just for spiritual growth, but also mentally and physically in the sense of helping those in need. I want to help fight injustice in the world and contribute to the well-being of others, ensuring that their rights are protected. “Through this path, I will also experience a sense of purpose and spiritual fulfillment for my own growth.”