International with lots of charm

Evelyn has been part of the accounting department of OM Austria for more than 10 years. In a recent interview she shares how God has changed her life and how she ended up in serving with OM in Linz.

It began in Germany

I grew up in Hamburg, Germany as the youngest of three siblings. As a young adult, I had a lot of contact with Sinti (a Roma group) and was involved in the occult. When a missionary shared some scriptures from Leviticus, I was confronted with the fact that my life and relationship with fortune telling were not as okay in God’s eyes as I had thought. The Word of God gripped my heart, and I stayed in regular contact with this missionary. When I got saved, it really was a complete turnaround in my life. It was not easy, as many from my community did not react positively to my change, but my hunger for more from the Bible and Jesus were greater.

From Germany to Switzerland to Austria

Eventually I attended Bible College in Switzerland. Before, I had worked as an office clerk. After three years of studies, and a year long internship in my church, I wondered what the next step should be. Originally, I did not see myself in missions, but a Bible school teacher–upon hearing my plans to return to an office job–said: “Others can punch in numbers!” It is funny, that now as a missionary I’m doing it again.

The Lord gave me a verse out of Isaiah 50:5: “The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away.” (NIV) I started to understand that I had a lot to give, and that God’s ways for me might lead me differently than I had thought.

During that time, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, and so I knew that if I would go to the mission field, I would need a good infrastructure. Through a German missions organisation, I moved to Austria and participated in women’s and youth ministry. I also worked for Biblische Ausbildung am Ort as an accountant back then, and learnt to love the work.

…and finally to Linz

Then Frank Hinkelmann, the former field leader of OM Austria, asked me to join the office team in Linz. OM is characterised for being international, with a lot of charm. This is what really got me excited, and still excites me today. Because of the international aspects, the accounting is very complex and I like that as well. Being full time with OM, I am also part of other ministries at the church (women’s meetings, Sunday school and helping migrant kids with homework at our integration project). I truly enjoy my responsibilities, and I am thankful to be able to serve with my gifts.

Please pray for more workers to join our team in the accounting department. Please pray for financial supporters for those in the office as it is not always easy to find supporters for those doing administrative jobs. 

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