Meet Your 2012 Summemr Missionaries

This Summer we are blessed to have two students serving as missionaries to the Sacramento Association of Southern Baptist Churches. Cory Branscum is a Sojourner (a student appointed by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) who has completed either their Junior or Senior year of High School), and Christopher Mitchell who is serving as a Summer Missionary (a student appointed by NAMB who has completed at least one year of college). They have introduced themselves in the paragraphs below. Please lift them up with prayer support as they serve among our churches this summer.

My name is Cory Branscum. I am from Sidney, Ohio. I am currently finishing my junior year at Upper Valley Career Center. I am taking Ag and Power Technology. It’s working on tractors and that kind of stuff. I love agriculture. I am the secretary of our FFA chapter. I want to own my own farm one day. My hobbies would have to be rebuilding engines and working on tractors. Another hobby of mine would have to be hunting and fishing.

What called me to go to California to serve God this year. See last year at Super Summer Ohio, a Southern Baptist leadership camp, God told me He was going to lead me to do a big mission trip next summer. I accepted the call and God said He would provide. When we went to church camp a couple weeks later God presented NAMB. I always had a heart for people in California and after a lot of praying God led me to this mission. I am really excited and ready to serve God this summer in California and spread the word to all peoples.

Also I am 17, my birthday is July 3,1994 .... I have 4 siblings ... that’s me. All I can think of – lol

Cory Branscum

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Hello Sacramento Association,

My name is Christopher Mitchell and I feel deeply honored to be serving with you this summer. I am reminded of Paul’s relationships with churches he had never before visited and feel that bond of commonality though our faith. I praise God for placing us together to do His work.

Here is some brief biographical information about me. I am currently a Freshman at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in Architecture. I grew up in the small rural town of Wolfe City located in northeast Texas. My family now lives way out in west Texas in Pecos where my father is pastor of First Baptist Church and my mother is an elementary school teacher. I have two younger sisters who live with them as well. Growing up, most of my time was dominated by Boy Scouts, church, and sports. Now in college, I stay busy with campus organizations and drawing assignments. I feel very confident in my academic path and am excited about pursuing architecture as a career.

I believe I was called to do missionary work this summer because I realized that my life was speeding by and I may not have this opportunity ever again. I realize that there is a need for Christian influence right here where I am, but I wanted to experience a summer where I am forced to be out of my comfort zone and make evangelizing my number one focus. I also had the opportunity to work with children as staff at a Boy Scout ranch last summer and wanted to experience that again.

Thank you for your support in preparation for this summer. I look forward to what will happen and can’t wait to meet you all.

Christopher Mitchell