My name is Laura and I am 38 years old, born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. My heart for missions grew while I was pursuing my Bachelors in Music Education. During the summer of 2005, I traveled to Zambia with Overland Missions. I had never been on a missions trip before, much less ever considered full time ministry. However, it was during this time that the Lord spoke to me about bringing His word to the nations.
Upon my return home, I agreed to join staff with Overland Missions, and finished my music education degree in 2006. Almost immediately after graduation, I was on a plane back to Zambia to train with Overland. Since then, I have been trained as an expedition leader, preacher, learned basic mechanics, a truck driver (first woman driver with Overland), and much more. I have traveled to eight different countries in southern and eastern Africa, preaching the Gospel in the unreached areas.
In 2009, I took the position as Overland’s Africa Expedition Coordinator, where I oversaw the operating logistics of our Africa expeditions, planned out the ministry for the teams, trained expedition leaders, and lead our short-term teams throughout southern Africa.
As of 2011, I transitioned out of our expedition department and began working full time in Zambia in sector management. Continuing to this present day, I help disciple local leaders and empower them to fulfill God’s calling on their life as the Sector Manager of the Mukuni and Sekute Chiefdoms.
In 2018, I transitioned the ministry projects in both chiefdoms over to the men and women I’ve been working with. They are now continuing forward with reaching their communities with the Gospel. I’m now continuing forward with the same vision in a new area, Simwatachela Chiefdom.
My heart is for the remote, unreached areas of the world and for the rural pastors and leaders whom we work alongside. My goal is to see the local churches empowered and on fire for the Word of God.
