Expanding to Edinburgh

Have you ever read the Bible story of Esther? The timing of events is crazy. God so obviously ordains everything that when Mordecai says, “… who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” the reader’s response can be nothing short of “Duh!”

Ryan and Kelly Akers are leaving this summer for Edinburgh, Scotland. When you hear their story, you’ll agree that the Lord’s work throughout their lives has brought them to this ministry launch at this time.

The Akers met at the University of Alabama. Both have a heart for the world, but family circumstances made overseas service seem unlikely. Even so, they remained committed to missions. Kelly heard Kent Bailey speak while attending the 2018 World Missions Conference at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. The Director of Campus Outreach SERVE shared about the forty invitations CO had received to expand in partnership with local churches around the world.

Kent showed a map on which blue dots marked the ministry’s present locations and red dots marked the countries that had extended invitations. Kent asked those in attendance to pray and trust the Lord to turn all the red dots to blue. Excited, Kelly requested a list of the “red dots” and prayed earnestly for a different location each day.

The Lord brought Ryan into a mobilizing role with Campus Outreach Birmingham (COB). While helping students transition from college into the real world, he transitioned many to serve in overseas mission work with CO. Specifically, a partnership in Birmingham, England, allowed for a fun connection with COB. After this location was designated a “blue dot,” Ryan helped transition nine graduates to this growing ministry. In 2021, the Akers planned to visit that team. “Coincidentally,” they took their trip at the same time the SERVE staff traveled to investigate another expansion opportunity in the UK.

A year earlier, Neil McMillan—Director for Church Planting for the Free Church of Scotland and a board member of City to City Europe—contacted Campus Outreach about a ‘red dot’ opportunity in Edinburgh. The trajectory of the Church in Scotland shows extinction in the next 15-20 years. Neil believes the future lies with reaching the 60,000 university students in Edinburgh. The Church has failed to identify more than 300 students involved in any Christian organization. Neil invited Ryan to join SERVE’s visit, and the spiritual reality surprised him. Ryan shared all he had learned and asked Kelly to pray about this opportunity.

Family circumstances had changed, and for the first time, the Akers could seriously consider moving overseas. Even their daughter, Hannah Ryan, supported the idea. Recognizing the need, she said, ‘It’s too big an opportunity to pass up!’ Soon after, the Akers committed, and the Lord quickly raised a team of six others.

Undoubtedly, the Lord has called them and gone before them for such a time as this. He has provided a flat for the Akers that is VERY close to campus. He has provided all the funds needed to depart. Now they are waiting to receive their visas so they can leave. Please pray that the authorities issue the visas in God’s perfect timing. Pray for the Lord to use this team to build laborers on the campus in Edinburgh for the lost world! In the meantime, we’ll be ready to announce when the red dot in Edinburgh turns blue!