While studying at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, I was involved with a campus ministry, Chi Alpha Students for Christ. I felt led to go on a spring break missions trip in 2003 to The Dream Center in L.A. which reaches out to the local community of L.A. It was there where I fell in love with ministering in the inner city.
When spring break ’04 rolled around, I thought for sure that I’d be going back to L.A. & I was thrilled. But while at a student conference, I felt strongly that I needed to lay everything in my life down at the Lord’s feet again, including this decision to go to L.A. I gladly said, “O.K.” and said, “God, I’ll do whatever You want me to do, I’ll go wherever You want me to go, speak to me.” I felt God speak to me one thing, “NORWAY”. To be honest, I was like, “where is that!?” but at the same time, I felt God doing something deep in my heart and I knew I’d be going to Norway some day…
Little did I know, that in 2 short months I would be on a plane headed to Trondheim, Norway with a team of 5 others, our campus pastor included. He’d been feeling a leading towards Scandinavia, esp.Norway, for many years and the doors seemed to be opening left and right for him to bring a team. We came with the purpose of praying and building relationships with hopes of some day starting University ministry in Norway, Denmark & Sweden. We met students and key leaders in the local churches & cities where we visited. After responding to Gods call, I knew that at some point in my life, I’d be back. Maybe just for a summer tho 
In 2005, I had the great opportunity in joining the 2nd team in coming back to Scandinavia. We prayed and dreamed together about beginning University ministry in Trondheim in the years to come. What would it look like if a team moved over to pioneer? At this point I knew I loved Norway & I had a heart to pray for the nation, but I didn’t feel God was calling me to MOVE here! I felt Him leading me to IHOP-International House of PRAYER(not pancakes). So…I took my passion for this place and stored it in my heart.
After being at IHOP for 6 intensive months, I was given 2 major choices: I could stay or I could go. Seems pretty simple, right? well…it was a struggle for me. I had leaders asking me to stay & help them lead the next internship & I had my pastor asking me if I wanted to be a part of the 1st team that was going to move to Trondheim, Norway & pioneer ministry.
I guess the rest is history….
For the last 4.5 years, I’ve lived in Trondheim, Norway pioneering University Ministry. The first 3 years I worked along side of Cortney & Brett Heerwald and we formed “the team”! Birthed in God’s heart, we were able to form a student group on the campuses of NTNU called, Quest. Norway is truly on God’s heart, and so this is why it’s on our’s! We wish for more than just a student group. We long to see God’s love reach the influencers of this generation and to see HIS purposes established here in Norway!
Life is an adventure, but how could it not when you’re being led by God. I will lean on Him and not my own abilities or understanding. In Christ, all things are possible!!
Check out Quest’s website: http://questnorway.wordpress.com/
Kel! L.O.V.E. the new blog! also…being on your blogroll makes me feel important.
love ya chica!