Many remember Andrew Avery from his days playing football at East Hamilton High School. Andrew was center lineman – a high school student you did not miss. When you saw him, you immediately thought football, but his desire to play sports was dwarfed by a commitment he made a long time ago to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After two years away from home, Andrew is back and shares how his life-changing experience has spring boarded him into adulthood with work, college, and dating, but most importantly how it changed who he is today.
“The decision to serve the Lord in this way is an individual choice,” Andrew said. “I just knew I needed to serve a mission because of the pure joy the gospel has brought to me and my family. I always wanted to go to Africa, but I was very excited and shocked when I received my assignment to serve in the Trinidad Port of Spain mission.”
When young men in the church turn 18 years old, they become eligible to be considered for full-time ministry and missionary service for an estimated 24 months. After they submit an application, they wait to receive an inspired assignment that can take them almost anywhere in the world. Young women also serve in the same manner with eligibility at age 19 and serve for 18 months. Andrew said, “Serving a mission humbled me and taught me how to provide for myself, but also how to care and provide for others. The thing I loved most about my mission was the people. The people are why you serve.”
Currently there are about 67,000 young people like Andrew who put their lives on hold for this extended period to focus all their efforts on serving others and teaching all who will hear about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their ultimate mission is to follow Christ’s example of love and service and to accept his invitation. Christ himself taught, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mathew 28:19-20).
Andrew’s father, David, a former Bishop (ecclesiastical leader for a congregation), said he has now had three of his children serve and return from full-time missionary service. His oldest son David Jr. served in Finland and his middle daughter Shannon served in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Avery said, “Aside from the grocery bill being cut in half, there were so many spiritual blessings that came into our lives during Andrew’s service. We prayed for his success and safety every single day and felt a calm assurance that Andrew was following God and doing what was right.” Andrew is currently working with his father in their family business and is planning to attend BYU Idaho.
He believes the lessons he learned on his mission will help him for the rest of his life. “The gospel of Jesus Christ blesses those who receive the message as well as those sharing the message,” Andrew said. “I have seen the gospel of Jesus Christ change people’s lives. I have seen broken families healed and strengthened, individuals cured from physical and mental ailments, and others receive the spiritual strength they lacked. Before my mission, I knew of Jesus Christ. But, during my mission I came to know Him. I came to know with more certainty that Jesus is the Christ. He is my Savior and my Redeemer. Jesus Christ is hope, charity, peace, and kindness. With Him, I can do all things. Without him, I know I am nothing. I know Jesus died for us and, more importantly, He rose for you and me. I know Jesus lives today – and what a glorious message this is – on Easter day and every day.”
Celebrate Holy Week and find more peace and joy through Jesus Christ at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/easter-2021.