While God calls some to be part of Mission Arlington for a lifetime, some people come just for a season, and then God directs them elsewhere. It’s always bittersweet when someone leaves.　 Bitter because we want them to stay, but sweet because they are moving in a direction God has ordained.

Ten years ago, Keyla held an important position at BOLSA, the Mexican Stock Exchange.　 While happy with her job, she knew God wanted her to serve.　 So when the pastor at her church became ill, Keyla substituted one Sunday.　 She says as she dug into God’s Word to prepare, she felt his presence and was shocked by the things in the Bible that she had never noticed before.　 Her passion for God began to grow.

Following God’s lead, she moved to attend seminary in Dallas.　 They often sang “One Pure and Holy Passion,” and she prayed that God would increase her desire for him. 　　She went on to study education at Dallas Baptist University where God put her in a class with a professor who was also a pastor at Mission Arlington.

Soon after that connection, Keyla visited a Mission Arlington congregation, Grace Street Church, with an invitation to lead the children’s ministry.　 In the beginning, she could not see how she could relate to the people because she came from such a different life.　 But one Sunday, as another teacher took her to the children’s department and shared each child’s background, Keyla’s heart broke.　 She accepted the position.　 God stretched her and grew her in ways she did not expect.

Five years later, Keyla is married with one child and one on the way.　 God has provided her and her husband, Stephen, with a new job opportunity in Odessa, and this is their last week serving at Mission Arlington. Last week, Keyla attended her last monthly staff meeting, and the closing song, “One Pure and Holy Passion,” reminded her of the journey that led her here and that God will continue to lead if she will just follow.