Steve Davis’ experience with international missionary work wasn’t just a “dip a toe in the water” kind of experience; it was a “dive head-first into the deep end” experience. It was also one that profoundly impacted him. It started with a mission trip to Russia, and Steve carried some significant reluctance into the trip. His team flew into Moscow and then took a 2 ½ hour bus ride to an orphanage. It was there that he met a young man named Artiom who, after only two weeks, proclaimed Steve as his best friend.

And it’s not the only impactful story that Steve shares in this interview with Pastor Jeff.

Since then, Steve has never passed up an opportunity to step off the sidelines, step out of the comfort zone, and get in the game with international mission work.

Steve’s mission work continued in Eastern Europe and focused on Moldova, the poorest country in Eastern Europe where an estimated 60% of girls being sex trafficked in Europe come from. Even today, posters cover community bulletin boards advertising easy visas for young women, the false promise of an escape.

As men, we are natural protectors. It’s in our DNA to defend our families and villages. This is most readily seen in fatherhood. At night we tuck our kids into bed, and occasionally a monster appears under the bed or in the closet, and we swoop in to save the day. But for many of the children in Moldova, the Amazon, or South Africa the monsters that scare them are very real.

Steve’s call to action is for us is best shared through a young girl in India he asked about the moral of the Good Samaritan story: Don’t pretend not to see what you see. 

After listening to Steve’s story you will know what you need to know, and you will have seen what you need to see. 

So, get off the sidelines, put on a jersey, and get in the game. Whether it’s through sponsoring a child, making a gift, or going on a mission trip yourself to jump into the pool like Steve did, you have a real opportunity today to be someone’s protector.