Erin McLaughlin

After graduating from high school, I made a decision that I wanted to be known as a follower of Christ. I told God that I would go wherever He wanted me to go as long as He made it obvious; I was talking about where to go for college, but I quickly learned that He took that promise a little further than I had expected! Only a few months later, God laid on my heart a burden for Africa. I studied the continent for the next two years until I thought my heart would burst if I didn’t get over there soon! In 2001 I had the opportunity to serve as a missionary to Madagascar for a year and also spend a month in Kenya. God used that time to deepen my faith, refine my passions, and expose me to more of His redeeming love for the world.

After returning from Africa, I went back to school at Azusa Pacific University to finish my degree. The summer before my last year there, I felt lost. I was four years older than my classmates and I still had no idea what God would have me do with the gifts and passions He had given me. I reminded Him that I loved Africa and wanted to be involved with administrating and facilitating trips for people who loved it too and wanted to make a difference there. I asked Him to lead me to a career where I could do that while staying close to home in Southern California, and also have the opportunity to visit Africa as much as possible. I heard about an opening with Empowering Lives and was amazed with how close the job description aligned with the vision God had burned in me! Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I praise God that He has not only given my heart new desires to serve the people of Africa, but that He has also provided the means to do that with an organization that seeks Him and is truly making an impact in people’s lives!

Two days after graduating from APU, I began as the Office Administrator at ELI. My duties here include acting as the front line for all phone, mail, and email communications, processing all donations to the ministry, managing our database, producing and distributing monthly support newsletters and quarterly general newsletters, supporting all our U.S.- and Africa-based staff, serving as the stateside assistant to the Short-Term Ministry Coordinator, and coordinating various special projects and ministry events. As the newest member of the ELI team, I have been blessed with grace upon grace! I know that this position is filled with opportunities to learn, stretch, and grow. I am so excited to see God’s transforming power in my life as well as the lives of the rest of the ELI family!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support as God continues to faithfully work in and through us!

erinmclaughlin@empoweringlives.org