Da’ Mission Participants

Da’ Mission Participants

Name: Jason Dan Barber
Age: 18
Hometown: St. Simons Island, GA

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to learn about the great commission. I want to do the great commission. I want to get to know the GOD International people and what they/you believe in so that I can learn from it and maybe go to the school (right now I am planning on going to YWAM).

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Romans 15:20. and thus I aspired to preach the word not where Christ was already named so that I would not build on another mans foundation. I like this verse because when I read it, it agreed with my line of thinking and confirmed it.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
Dennis Quaid. He is typecast for showing stress, but he can be really happy at other times. Will Smith would be good too.



Name: Joshua Barnett
Age: 20
Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
God has allowed me this opportunity at this time in my life, and I want to learn and grow from it as much as possible. I am waiting and listening for God to speak this trip, and I am preparing myself daily for him to do be able to do so.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Matthew 25:42-45 It shows the love of God for those who need it most. It also validates those who are pushed aside by society and lets them know that they are truly human beings worth being cared for and loved.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
Probably Hugh Jackman- He is a man who is daring, not afraid of anything, and will grab life by the horns and wrestle it down! Also, he is a loner type guy(not saying that it’s a positive) with a long, complicated, and cloudy story. And I always wanted to be wolverine when I was a kid.

Name: Andrew Bresch
Age: 22
Hometown: Rheems, PA

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to learn more about God’s kingdom.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
I don’t have a favorite right now but I’ll go with John 6:26-27. It’s right after Jesus has fed the five thousand and the people follow him across the sea and Jesus is trying to help them find what they are looking for by explaining to them that there are two different types of food. I think it goes well with my life right now.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I would want Tom Cruise to play me because he can act on stage even though off stage he’s wild.

Name: Stephen Carver
Age: 18
Hometown: Hermitage, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go on Da Mission because I feel called to and i want my life to totally change.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite verse(s) is Philippians 2:6-8. It sums up the reason I’m in love with Christ and why he should be exalted.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I would be played by Don Cheadle. Sure theres obvious physical differences, but he’s the best actor ever.

Name: Seth Davis
Age: 32
Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go on Da’ Mission to bring hope and encouragement to the dear people that we are preparing to serve there. I’m also excited to once again feel the unique closeness of YHWH as felt among “the least of these” (Matt. 25). I can’t wait to reunite with some of the people who we really connected with on previous trips.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite verse right now is Micah 6:6-8. We just studied it in Literary Analysis and it seems to articulately capture the the true desire of God as communicated throughout the greater meta-narrative of scripture. It also exposes all of the b.s. that vain, lifeless religious activity can lead to.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I would choose Johnny Depp. Ever since I saw Edward Scissorshands, I’ve been a huge fan. He pretty much rocks. I identify with the brooding artist type…



Name: Laura Foster
Age: 20
Hometown: Becker, MN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go on Da’Mission because I have an interest in missions and have felt a calling to go overseas.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite bible verse is Ephesians 3:16-20. I love this verse because it is so powerful. I am strengthened and encouraged by it. This verse displays how big God’s love really is and how unable I am to grasp that.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I don’t think I would have an actress play me. I wouldn’t want anyone to portray my life other than myself.



Name: Christina Fowler
Age: 19
Hometown: Brunswick, Georgia

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go because I want to be matured as a woman of God and grow into the person He wants me to be. I want to become sensitive to the poverty and hurt that God sees and experiences in our family every day. I want to be aware of the needs that are not fulfilled so that one day I might be able to fill them, and today that I can learn how.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
I would have to say that Genesis 3:16 is my favorite verse, at the moment, because it has brought so much incite and redemption into my life. It helps me to see that God meant for women to love men and give of themselves, and not be hurt; but that our world has wronged so much that was meant to be good, that the hurt is deep and scars when a man doesn’t keep his responsibility.

If a movie was made about your life, what actress would you choose to play you in the movie, and why?
I would pick Sandra Bullock because she is down to earth and sees what actually matters. Her character roles seem to bring out the important parts of the situations that she is in. She continuously pushes herself even when others around her are trying to discourage her or bring her down mentally and physically.



Name: Shannon French
Age: 20
Hometown: Marshall, Minnesota

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
The reason i want to go on the Da’ mission trip is because i want my walk with the Lord to grow deeper and deeper and i want to be challenged. I want to serve the people in Africa and see more of the people that God loves.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite Bible verse (or chunk) is Psalms 1:1-6 because i like the analogy of the tree bearing fruit because it is living off the streams of life and it is good to be remided of how evil people are and that their ways will never prosper.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
If there was a movie about my life i would want Keira Knightley to play my role because i think she is really pretty and i like her acting and some movies she is in.



Name: Elizabeth Kalama (Liz)
Age: 23
Hometown: Kaneohe, Hawaii

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
Well I want to go on Da’ Mission to learn and experience God and to help. I want to continue on a journey of what it means to live out a life of faith and continue to learn what is my role and response to what I see and know.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Well it changes but one of my favorite verses is, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: ‘Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 11:8

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
Well this is a tough one because I love movies and characters for different reasons but if my life was a movie Kirsten Dunst, not so much because we look a like or because she is a great actress but I really like her character in Elizabethtown.



Name: Collin Lyons
Age: 20
Hometown: Medford, NJ

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
The main reason why i want to go on Da Mission is to serve Christ. Secondly i want to reach people with the gospel, and hope that Christ’s love shown through me will bring people to him. The last reason why i want to go on Da Mission is simply to experience Africa!!

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite bible verse is , “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…. Romans 5:8. This verse is a perfect expression of Christ’s love. It gives me hope throughout my everyday life.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I would have Mark Whalberg play me. The simple reason for this is because nost people say i look like him. No this isnt a Joke lol



Name: Jordan Alexa Miller
Age: 18
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I am choosing to participate in Da Mission because I desire to connect to God’s plan with humanity and to learn how to embody that in my life. I want to take everything that I’ve learned about the Bible and God and apply it in a way that can bring healing and life back to people. I want to get a better understanding of what my day to day life might be like as a missionary.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Matthew 13:44-45: Parable of the Hidden Treasure. I read this parable on my first mission trip and it has remained a part of me ever since. It captures how I feel about discovering that the kingdom of God is found within the poor and oppressed. It was with them that I left my heart and it is because of them that I am giving my life to help bring about change and justice.

If a movie was made about your life, what actress would you choose to play you in the movie, and why?
Kate Winslet. Over the course of her career Kate has played in very diverse and eccentric roles. Thus I believe she could easily portray all the ups, downs, ins, and outs,of my life thus far if somehow she could go back in time ten or so years so we could be the same age. While we are not identical, she is a combination of wit, intellect, inner strength, and natural beauty which I would not mind being as well.



Name: Brianna Rae Pontinen O’Brien
Age: 26
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I love to travel and experience different cultures, and especially love to see the world while doing something meaningful and tangible. I’m excited and anxious to learn everything I can from this trip as an individual and as a married couple.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Daniel 3: 16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
Definitely Natalie Portman. I’ve been told I look like her and especially her character in Garden State is al ittle like me. She has curly, uncontrollable hair, makes up stories, likes to be weird and dance at random times.



Name: Danny O’Brein
Age: 24
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
Well, to be brief, I would like to go on this trip for three reasons. First, I want to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with my wife, Bri. Second, the different cultures of our world have always intrigued me and I want to experience as many of them as possible. And lastly, I love the idea of this trip being both tangibly relevant as well as spiritually relevant and I’m truly excited to see what God does during these 5 weeks.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
James 1:26-27 “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” This is my favorite verse because James very clearly and plainly states what it is to both have true religion as well as the importance of watching how we speak. Also, I love how James says exactly what he means to say, he’s blunt and I appreciate that.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
Well, I’ve never really thought about this…but off the top of my head I would have to say that John Cusack would play me, solely for the fact that, well he is my favorite. This would of course mean that the movie takes place in the later stages of my life, or maybe he could go back in time to around the “Say Anything” era and then make a movie about my life….yeah, that sounds pretty good.



Name: Britnee Pannell
Age: 19
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Ok

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
Last March, a friend and I started a ministry that helps raise money for people in Africa who have malaria. Ever since then we have both been praying that we would have the opportunity to visit Africa to get a sense of feeling of where these people live and their daily lives. I feel that God called me to go on Da’ Mission so that I can witness to the people of Africa and so that I can experience the lives of others in a different country.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Jeremiah 32:27-Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?I love this verse because I stress about everything all the time, so this Bible verse helps me remember that God is in control of everything and every part of my life, and by stressing there is nothing I can do about it.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
If I had to choose an actress to be me I would choose Katherine Heigel. I really respect her as an actress because she is never is the spotlight for negative images. I love all of her movies and TV shows that she is in and think she is a great model for younger girls.



Name: Ben Reese
Age: 23
Hometown: Donelly, ID

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want a faith strong enough to handle the reality of this world, not just the reality I choose to see every day. I know intellectually that the missional aspect of the gospel is central, but experientially it’s like an empty folder in my dossier.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Exodus 33:13 “now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in your sight, let me know your ways that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight.” I have prayed this prayer many a time, and have hoped many a time for Moses’ persistence in seeing the prayers fulfillment.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I would hope Philip Seymour Hoffman would play my part. My life-movie would certainly not be an action flick; I would need an actor who could make the sedentary life look cool. Who better? He played Capote after all.



Name: Stephanie Sherrod
Age: 27
Hometown: Powell, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I feel GOD is pressing me to move out of this place where I am content standing still, where I daily trade in truths I know about HIM for merely what my eyes can see.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
I really don’t have a favorite Bible verse but in this moment I would say Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” I like this verse because I get this picture of GOD pouring into me, pouring his endless love; a love that I desperately need and know will always be there.

If a movie was made about your life, what actress would you choose to play you in the movie, and why?
I would choose Tina Fey to play me in a movie. Mainly because she is funny and therefore would accurately portray me.



Name: Tim Sherrod
Age: 22
Hometown: Knoxville,TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to participate in the internship so that I might grow in awareness of the opportunities to serve around the world, help determine where I am being called to do ministry, grow spiritually, learn and be challenged theologically, and to open doors for possible further future involvement with G.O.D. International.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
Mt. 22:37-9 Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Favorites are notoriously difficult for me and are usually conditioned to the specific situation(s) I’m in. However, one thing I particularly like about Mt. 22:37-9 is that it sums up in two statements everything I aspire to do. I could easily had chosen verses referring to the cost of discipleship, the promises of God has made for his children, the character of God, or man’s role to the poor and oppressed. However, all of these other areas are assumed in Mt. 22:37-9.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
Kirk Cameron because he is one of the only Christian actors I know or Denzel Washington because he plays every role perfectly.

Name: Corey Streeter
Age: 25
Hometown: Mt. Juliet, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
Da’ Mission is an exploratory trip for my wife and me. I have felt a call to missions for a long time and I believe God is opening doors and opening my heart with this trip.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite Bible verse is Luke 4:18-19. This is where Jesus announces to the world who He is and why He came. It also tells me how to follow Him.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
If a movie were to be made about my life I would choose Buster Keaton to act it out. He was an actor in silent films during the 20s. Hilarious, expressive, passionate… hilarious…again.

Name: Krtistin Streeter
Age: 24
Hometown: Mt. Juliet, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
Going on Da’ Mission is not going to just be an “experience” for me; it is going to be a time of opening myself up to God to see if full time missions is the plan He has for my life. God used the events that took place this past year of my life to change me forever—I am a new creation. I am excited to serve God and be involved in His work.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite Bible Verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17—“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun!” This verse summarizes my testimony of how He has delivered and redeemed me. What an incredible verse of hope!!

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
If my life was made into a movie it would definitely be a dramatic comedy starring Lucille Ball as me. That crazy red-head is always getting into unforeseen trouble due to her crazy (yet, creative) manipulative ideas and I can relate to that a lot!!



Name: Tristan Swang
Age: 18
Hometown: Mustang, OK

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go on Da’ Mission to experience what God wants me to experience while doing his work. I really want to give all I have and show whoever God puts in front of us Christ’s love.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 5:13 – “If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” It’s just really cool to me because it reminds me that things will be crazy living the life God wants me to live, and that if it doesn’t seem crazy compared to the world, I’m not doing it right and at all for God.. It reminds me daily.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I would choose Brad Pitt, mainly because of his role in Fight Club and 12 Monkeys, and also part because of his role in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. In Fight Club and 12 Monkeys, he’s just an off the wall character who lives by the moment, and things just seem insane all the time, also everything falling into place for a reason while starting something huge and impactful.



Name: Joel Talsma
Age: 23
Hometown: Chandler, MN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go on Da’Mission because I want to grow closer to God by working with and serving brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. God has given me this opportunity and I believe He will use it for His glory.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8: 37 – 39 ” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It is a common and often-quoted verse, but I like it because it speaks truth. Life is incredibly unpredictable, but no matter what God’s love for us is unchanged.
If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
I have not really considered this question before, but if I had to pick someone I would like Matt Damon to play the part of “Joel” for the following reasons: First, a few people have mentioned that we share some similarities in physical appearance. Second, I like the movies that he does. He is versital, often highly skilled and makes good movies (usually). I do not know much about his personality, but Matt Damon does not seem to be in the spotlight often. He seems rather humble for a celebrity.

Name: Leah Thress
Age: 17
Hometown: Powell, TN

Why do you want to go on Da’ Mission?
I want to go on Da’ Mission because I know that it is where God is leading my life this summer. I am excited that I will finally meet our family in Kenya and Uganda that I have heard stories about for so long!
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13: 11-12. These verses have been the ones that I have returned to several times throughout the past year, when I needed to be encouraged to daily be allowing God to change my life. It also reminds me of some of the most precious moments I have had in my relationship with God, so I always enjoy to come back and read the verses.

If a movie was made about your life, what actor or actress would you choose to play you in the movie and why?
If a movie was made about my life I think Alexis Bledel would play my role. She has been in both my favorite show (Gilmore Girls) and movie (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), and I think her characters often resemble myself.