How a Freshman Year Detour Led to a Lifetime of Ministry
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Episode 10 · 54 min
Anna Jo, a full-time missionary with New Life Church in Ann Arbor, was born into church planting. She grew up in Belize as the daughter of missionaries and has been part of several church plants in Michigan, and her life has been shaped by the belief that the gospel is worth the cost.
As a child she helped support new churches in Belize, then moved back to the U.S. when her family planted a church in her hometown, and watched her father lead new congregations. Through every move, Anna learned that obeying Jesus sometimes means packing up and starting over so other people can hear the gospel.
From Biomedical Engineering to Campus Ministry
Anna arrived at the University of Michigan planning to major in biomedical engineering. She wanted to help people, but from a distance, because she wasn't sure she liked being around them. Then one Sunday she walked to church with a group of students and found New Life Church, and her plans changed.
Within a year, Anna had switched her major to psychology and committed to joining the church's staff. She was drawn by Christian community that was real: people living out what Jesus prayed for in John 17. She felt welcomed, and she was changed.
A Candid Look at Support Raising and Ministry Finances
Support raising was one of Anna's biggest fears going into ministry. Coming from a conservative background, asking people for money felt overwhelming. She started full-time ministry without reaching her first fundraising goal, which she says was discouraging and also, in the end, redemptive.
God met her through unexpected gifts, part-time work, and, eventually, through her husband Matt’s hopeful faith as they raised support together. “My worst fear happened—I couldn’t finish MTD. And then my second worst fear happened—I needed help. And still, God provided,” Anna shares.
The Importance of Finishing College Before Ministry
Anna emphasized the value of finishing her college degree before stepping fully into vocational ministry. Reliant (the mission agency many Collegiate staff serve through) encourages staff to complete their undergraduate degrees, and Anna found that honoring her academic calling was part of her obedience to God.
“I knew I was going into ministry, but I also felt convicted that I needed to go to class and steward the season I was in,” she said. Her encouragement to others: finish school, get the degree, and trust that God will use it in ways you might not expect.
What It’s Really Like to Join a Church Plant
In 2018, fresh out of college and still fundraising, Anna moved to Kalamazoo to join H2O Church’s new church plant at Western Michigan University. She didn’t have housing secured, didn’t know the city, and didn’t have Wi-Fi. She bounced between parks and libraries just to make calls and raise support. Eventually, she moved in with complete strangers and slowly began building community.
At first her job was to do whatever needed doing: leading a small group, learning to tear down equipment after church, discipling students and showing up. It wasn't glamorous, and it formed her.
When ministry is messy and the path isn't clear
Being the newest and youngest on a seasoned church planting team was humbling. Anna often wrestled with questions about her value, especially when she didn’t feel like her relational strengths had a place. But God consistently reminded her that her belovedness wasn’t tied to her productivity.
“I realized that even if all I did was help others see that they are loved by God—that was enough,” she shares. The simplicity of that truth became the foundation for her presence and purpose on campus.
Anna thinks team unity is one of the most overlooked parts of planting a church. She has seen how disconnection or an unclear vision drains morale and momentum, so she pushes teams to spend time together and care for each other. In a church plant, she says, your team is your church.
“Jesus prayed for our unity in John 17. That applies to our staff teams, too,” she says. “It’s our first chance to be a witness—to show how we love one another.” After marrying Matt in 2022, Anna transitioned back to New Life Ann Arbor with a clear desire to one day church plant again. She holds that calling with open hands, waiting for God’s timing.
“There’s always a pull to go,” she says. “Not because I want to leave—but because I’m willing. And I think that willingness is something I need to steward well.”
Encouragement for Those Considering Church Planting
Anna’s advice to others thinking about planting a church on a college campus:
Ask God directly if He is calling you to go. Don’t avoid the question out of fear.
Explore college campuses just for fun. Pray, dream, and ask, “Could I be here?”
Support others even if you’re not the one going. The mission requires both senders and goers.
She also reminds listeners: you don’t have to stop loving your college sports team or your hometown to say yes to church planting. You can carry those parts of yourself into new places.
Personal Rhythms That Sustain Anna’s Ministry
Prayer Walks: “During COVID, I went on hour-long prayer walks every day. That time with God shaped me.”
Book recommendation: Humility by Andrew Murray, a short read that keeps her grounded in grace and reminds her of the gentleness of Jesus.
Favorite Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save... He will rejoice over you with singing.” It reminds her that God delights in His people.
What Anna Wants You to Know
“The thing I want every listener to know is this: You are the Lord’s beloved. That’s who you are. Take heart, and believe it.”
Guests & resources
Meet the guest
- Anna Jo
New Life Church, Ann Arbor