Hello! My name is Mick McConnell, and I’m currently a missionary enrolled in YWAM’s Discipleship Training School here in Italy. (I’m the guy in the red t-shirt!)

I’m currently fundraising for the second half of my mission's tuition. During this portion, I’ll be traveling with my class to Cambodia and Taiwan, putting into practice everything I’ve learned over the past 10 weeks.

Our outreach will span a variety of ministry opportunities. A big portion of our time will be spent in high schools teaching students how to live out their faith, sharing testimonies, leading small groups, and guiding conversations that help them think about their purpose and future.

Outside the schools, we’ll also be serving through tribal ministry, food drives, church projects, and even hosting local families for dinner as a way to share the gospel through hospitality.

We’ll be active in street evangelism as well, including a major outreach performance during Christmas week. In addition, our team will support orphanages, special-needs centers, and volunteer at the Love Siem Reap Festival with Franklin Graham in Cambodia.

In order for me to go on this trip, I need to reach my fundraising goal of $5,500 by November 27th. So far, I’ve been blessed to raise about $3,000. I can’t thank my community enough for getting me this far. My friends and family are truly the reason I can confidently walk out this journey God has called me into.

If you feel led, I would be incredibly grateful for your prayers, encouragement, or financial support toward this mission. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps me bring the gospel to people who may have never heard the name of Jesus before.

For those who don't know my Why. Here is my story, and the purpose that drives my passion for missions.

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve admired how Christian leaders impact their communities, how they empower others, call people higher, and remind us that we can overcome anything when we walk with Jesus. Their example planted a seed in me long before I knew what God had planned for my life.

But my journey to get here hasn’t been easy. Growing up, I constantly struggled with feeling like I wasn’t enough. I sought validation from others, disrespected authority, and caused chaos around me. Deep down, I was just searching for love and purpose. That’s when my youth pastor stepped in and invited me into a community of believers who completely changed my life.

They taught me that Jesus’ love isn’t based on performance or perfection, that I don’t have to earn His approval or compete for His affection. He loves me simply because I’m His. Through that community, I began to understand the importance of four pillars that now define my faith: God’s Word, community, prayer, and worship.

As I grew in my relationship with God, I started serving as a youth leader for junior high students, helping with children’s ministry, and attending church events three to four times a week. I was on fire for Jesus and eager to lead others closer to Him.

Eventually I heard about YWAM. One after another, I kept meeting people who had gone through the program. And they all had something different about them. They were confident in hearing God’s voice, filled with the Holy Spirit, overflowing with compassion for others, and boldly sharing their faith wherever they went. Seeing people so willing to leave behind comfort, friends, family, homes, to preach the gospel across the world deeply inspired me.

Coming into this school, God gave me a deep desire to confidently share and preach the gospel while being led by the Spirit. I longed to walk boldly in my identity as a Christian. After these 10 weeks of development and refining, I can honestly say that God has shown me what it means to step into both confidence in who I am and courage in the message I carry.

Thank you for reading my story and being part of what God is doing through this next chapter of my life.

God Bless