In 2025 Brother Anthony and his family have traveled as missionaries to South Africa. They serve at a local high school and are supported by Between His Shoulders and Freedom Missions in the community.
Their journey there came through a combination of calling, relationships, and opportunity. Rather than arriving with a single program or agenda, their approach has been simple:
Follow where God opens the door, and invest in the people He places in front of them.
The heart of Between His Shoulders is discipleship, identity, and leadership — whether that happens in a classroom, a community setting, or a one-on-one conversation.
One of the doors that has opened in this season is working with young people.
And what Anthony is seeing is a deep hunger.
A Generation Searching for Identity
Part of Anthony's week is spent serving at a local Christian school, where he teaches and meets with students from grades 8 through 12. His focus is helping students connect faith to real life — especially when it comes to identity and purpose.
Recently, he shared a message built around three questions:
Who am I? What is my purpose? Who is Jesus?
Afterward, several students approached him.
"Multiple students came up and shared that they've been struggling with depression and different things," Anthony said. "There's definitely an awakening happening. These kids just want to know who they are."
Those conversations have led to ongoing one-on-one meetings, where he listens to their stories and walks with them through discipleship.
"Honestly, many of their stories are heartbreaking," he shared. "But it's also where you see God moving."
One Moment That Stood Out
After sharing about his own past struggles with depression — and the impact of suicide in his family — one student came to talk with him.
The student admitted he had been in that same mental space, questioning why he was alive and struggling with thoughts of not wanting to live.
Then he told Anthony:
"The fact that you talked about this today isn't a coincidence. God knew I needed to hear it."
The two now meet weekly.
It's a simple rhythm, but it reflects the core of Between His Shoulders — walking closely with the one in front of you.
Ministry Beyond the Classroom
While student discipleship is one part of this season, Anthony's work extends beyond the school. He and his team have opportunities to serve in surrounding communities, speak at local schools, encourage teachers, and help meet practical needs.
One consistent theme they encounter is a deep need for spiritual fathers and mothers.
"There's such a hunger for father," Anthony explained. "Many of them are longing for someone to see them and help them understand who they are."
In one school, leadership shared that as consistent encouragement and spiritual investment increased, student violence dropped significantly.
The team has also hosted teacher appreciation gatherings and provided Bibles in teachers' heart languages. In addition, they help run a soup outreach several times each week, feeding hundreds of children.
These practical expressions of care help build trust and open doors for long-term relationship.
The Deeper Need
Through all of these settings, Anthony keeps seeing the same underlying issue.
"The greatest need isn't behavior change," he said. "It's identity."
That need isn't unique to South Africa.
"The whole world is confused about identity," he explained. "But we have an opportunity to make sure the next generation — and the people around us — know who they are as sons and daughters."
A Simple Approach That Creates Lasting Impact
Rather than focusing on large programs or events, Anthony believes transformation happens through relationship.
"The greatest impact you can make is to disciple the one in front of you," he said. "Teach them who God is through how you live. Tell them who they are. Walk with them."
It's a simple model — but one that is already changing lives, one conversation at a time.
A Partnership That Makes It Possible
The work of Between His Shoulders is strengthened through partnerships with organizations like Freedom Missions, who come alongside leaders serving in communities around the world.
Beyond South Africa, Freedom Missions supports Between His Shoulders and other mission organizations' work in other African countries like Malawi, Uganda, Swaziland, and Kenya. Freedom Missions also supports their efforts around hosting revivals, Bible distributions, food support, and launching businesses. All of which empower the next generations!
Anthony's story is one example of how Freedom Missions supports leaders who are investing deeply in people, strengthening communities, and raising up future leaders.
And it's just the beginning.
In the coming months, Freedom Missions will be sharing more stories from partners across the globe — stories of quiet faithfulness, relational impact, and lives being changed one person at a time.
Because real transformation often starts small.
And it grows from there.