Isaac Viavianibuca Drodrolagi is 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. He studied at Christian Outreach College, Suva, Fiji, and University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. He volunteered with the China Outreach Program for the Homeless, was president of the University of Nottingham Student Union and participated in the University of Nottingham Rotaract Program. Isaac is fluent in English, Fijian and Central Arabic and semi-fluent in French and Chinese Mandarin. He is a member of Raiwai Gospel Brethren Church, where he is a youth leader. He would like to train to become a deacon. “My personal spiritual growth,” Isaac said, “has been a transformative journey, filled with ups and downs. Initially, my belief in God was rooted in my parents’ faith, but by the time I reached 14, I found myself questioning and seeking a deeper connection with the divine. I made a conscious decision to commit my life to the Lord.” But when he began working after college, he realized he had drifted away from God. “My lifestyle, habits, language and character reflected a worldly life, devoid of the spiritual depth I longed for,” Isaac admitted. “However, last year marked a pivotal moment as I experienced an intense craving for a personal relationship with God. This longing compelled me to become more involved in church activities, even if I had previously found them tiresome. “Attending church on Sundays became a goal, and I intentionally made adjustments in my life, including changing my group of friends, to align myself with my newfound spiritual path.” During this time, he heard about Global Mission Fellows. “I felt an overwhelming desire to be used by God for the extension of His kingdom,” Isaac said. “The opportunity to serve in a different country was especially enticing, as it would allow me to step away from the worldly distractions of past friends and past temptations and focus a lot more on my life with God.” Isaac expressed confidence that the GMF experience would provide the space and environment necessary for him to come back refreshed, renewed and stronger in his faith. He also hopes his love for rugby and volleyball will offer opportunities to use sports as a practical way to communicate biblical lessons and as a platform to build relationships and connect with local residents wherever he serves.

Kimseat Soy is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. 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. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Kimseat has played a variety of roles with Empowering Youth in Cambodia. “Working with an NGO to support a remote area by providing education and family support to prevent social injustice has confirmed my will to continue working in the community and helping people,” he said. Kimseat is excited about Global Mission Fellows. “I am deeply committed to sharing my experiences and faith,” he said. “I see this two-year program as a valuable opportunity to enhance my skills and knowledge for my future career goals and to implement them in my local church upon my return home.” Growing up in the countryside, Kimseat explained, offered invaluable experiences that shaped him into a resilient individual. “From rice farming to animal raising and crop planting,” he said, “living in harmony with nature and experiencing hard work instilled in me a strong work ethic and a faithful spirit.” He has played a variety of vocational roles: English teacher, administrator, finance and administrative assistant, and school manager. “I am deeply passionate about helping those in need,” Kimseat said. “Within the church, I am driven by a desire to serve in the praise team, youth program, church committees and children’s Bible school. “Beyond my professional pursuits, I am passionate about music, singing, traveling and learning about new cultures and geography. I am also dedicated to researching news and social injustice cases, finding inspiration in meeting friends to share life experiences and faith. Engaging in God’s service through church ministry, missions and sharing testimonials brings me immense joy and fulfillment, contributing to a healthy work-life balance.” Kimseat is eager to collaborate with other Global Mission Fellows and local staff, leveraging opportunities to learn and contribute. “I am determined to make a positive impact within the UMC community and beyond,” he said. The call to mission, he asserted, combines personal spiritual growth and a deep sense of purpose to make a positive impact on the world. “I feel ready and committed to dedicate myself to mission in God’s ministry,” Kimseat said. “I am ready to live out core values of being a Global Mission Fellow, to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, particularly those who may be marginalized, vulnerable or in need, and to share my spiritual beliefs through practical, compassionate action.” He recognizes the call to mission as a deeply personal and spiritual decision. “I believe this is God’s plan: to call me for mission,” Kimseat said. “Within my spiritual growth in Christ and readiness for mission, I feel called to take action in God’s ministry to create a positive impact on the community and the world.”