In her mid-forties and divorced, Chelsea faced a future that looked vastly different from what she had once envisioned. Life had taken an unexpected turn, leaving her to wrestle with uncertainty and the question of what came next.
God soon began stirring her heart and guiding her toward global mission. As Chelsea sought to understand God’s purpose for her life, His leadership was clear.
“Why now?” she wondered. “Am I the right person for this?”
As the idea of following God into the unknown grew more tangible, Chelsea couldn’t shake the knowledge that God was directing her steps toward a new life abroad, serving in cross-cultural Christian ministry. As she continued following God and exploring global mission agencies, He led her to SIM USA.
Chelsea explored the organization further, talking with mission coaches and learning more about SIM USA. The organization’s commitment to prayer deeply moved her, and she felt a growing certainty that this was the organization she should partner with.
“SIM’s motto is ‘by prayer,’ and it’s true. Every time I’ve gone to conferences, workshops, and been with SIM leaders, they really do pray. They are a people of prayer,” she explained.
The staff at SIM USA listened to Chelsea’s story and passions and prayed with her as she determined and walked out her next steps, as God continued to lead. SIM USA helped Chelsea find global work in Asia, where she could work with a hard-to-reach people group whom God had put on her heart.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
God led Chelsea to Asia with SIM USA, where she has served in various positions including English teaching, business as mission, and community development. Despite her fruitful ministry, she inwardly wrestled with one lingering question during her first year on the field: “Did I wait too long? Should I have come here years ago when I was younger? Should I have come here when I was in my twenties?”
However, her worries were met with a clear response from the Lord.
“The Holy Spirit was very quick to say, ‘I did not call you in your twenties because you would not have been ready in your twenties,” Chelsea said, smiling. “It doesn’t matter at what point He is calling you, even if you’re 70. If He is calling you, go!”
Chelsea’s story beautifully illustrates God’s perfect timing. He does not limit what ages can serve Him on the global mission field. Instead, He invites people of all ages and walks of life—both young and old—to be a part of His Great Commission. There are unique roles for people of every age and background in God’s global mission field.
“I went to the mission field in my mid-40s—a lot later than most people,” Chelsea said. “But it was the time that God had me to go.”
“Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:17-28
In the country where Chelsea serves, locals often find it “very odd” that she lives alone at her age. The cultural norms surrounding marriage, singleness, and living arrangements are quite different than what we know in North America.
“In that whole region, if you’re not married, you’re living at home—you’re still with your parents. Then, once you get married, you may or may not move out of the house. So, they look at me as very odd because I live in an apartment by myself. They find that very fascinating, and they think I’ve got to be very lonely,” Chelsea said, laughing. “But I’ve learned to not listen to others; to only listen to God.”
Although finding community on the mission field comes with challenges, Chelsea is pouring into her friendships with locals. She serves in a predominantly Buddhist country and understands that it often takes years to develop the trust level necessary for open conversations about the gospel. Long-term, genuine connections pave the way for meaningful gospel discussions.
“If you go to a Buddhist region as a Christian missionary, you have to be long-term minded because it takes a long time to build relationships,” she said. “I’ve recognized that people observe me and they watch me. I don’t have to preach the word or anything—they just watch my behavior, and that really makes a difference.”
Chelsea’s kindness and commitment to building friendships with locals emphasize the importance of relational ministry in Buddhist cultures. It may not be appropriate to dive into a gospel presentation when first meeting a local Buddhist in her region, but Chelsea knows that her friendship opens doors for gospel conversations over time.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
Throughout her journey of adapting to different cultural contexts and becoming a global worker at an older age than expected, Chelsea has discovered the importance of having spiritual discipline. When doubts and struggles arise on the mission field, it is important to lean into these practices and be refueled by the Holy Spirit.
“Wherever you go in that region, I would suggest that you have some very strong spiritual disciplines already in place because it’s a very challenging region spiritually, physically, and in many other ways,” she said.
For Chelsea, this often includes practicing silence, solitude, and Sabbath rest. Her special time with the Lord typically consists of devotionals, reading the Bible, and seeking Him in prayer. Regularly spending intentional time with the Lord is crucial in the global mission field, where missionaries navigate challenging cultural differences and share the gospel in dark places. Undistracted quality time with the Lord refreshes and comforts missionaries like Chelsea.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
Chelsea’s journey of serving with SIM USA missions in Southeast Asia has been filled with God’s faithful leadership amid confusing and challenging circumstances. When Chelsea had doubts about stepping into this role at her age, God responded with a comforting truth: serving Him globally has no age limit. Cross-cultural ministry after 40 is a reality on the mission field. Whether you’re 18 or 99, there is a place for everyone in the Great Commission.
In fact, Chelsea says that many of the global workers in her country are older missionaries. Their ministry welcomes all ages and would love to receive new missionaries, young or old.
Are you interested in serving God cross-culturally? SIM USA offers many global worker opportunities. To learn more about how you can get involved, contact a mission coach here.
Names have been changed for the privacy and safety of our workers, ministry partners, and those we serve.
