Church of Jesus Christ
Full-Time Volunteer Representative
Description
My 18-month service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I served in cities across southern France and Switzerland working under structured rules while finding creative ways to fulfill a deeply personal purpose: helping people come closer to Jesus Christ. We talked with people on the street, reached out to our communities, used social media to share uplifting messages, and connected with anyone willing to listen.
The work stretched me in every direction and pushed me outside my comfort zone. I learned French, navigated unfamiliar cities, and stepped into leadership far earlier than I felt ready. At just three months in, I was asked to train a new volunteer who barely spoke French, even though I was still trying to gain confidence with the language myself. Moments like that taught me how to be steady in uncertainty, communicate clearly, and lead with compassion and courage.
Throughout my mission, I worked one-on-one with companions and in groups of up to fourteen missionaries. I learned how to motivate others, hold space for their struggles, identify their real needs, and co-create solutions we could test and practice together. Over time, one lesson became clear: people—not tasks—determine the success of any effort. When my companion and I weren’t working together, our purpose felt harder and our progress slower. But when I chose to put people first, everything changed. Our unity grew, our work improved, and I felt more joy and meaning in what we were doing.
My mission shaped the way I lead: with clarity, empathy, structure, and trust. It refined my communication skills, strengthened my resilience, and taught me how small, consistent actions—like weekly goals or simple conversations—build toward a much larger purpose.
Problem
Although the core purpose of my mission was spiritual—helping others come closer to Jesus Christ—the work behind that purpose required strong teamwork, communication, and unity. realized that even with clear goals, progress stalled when companionships or teams lacked alignment. Miscommunication, mismatched expectations, or emotional distance made it difficult to work effectively, no matter how hard we tried.
The challenge became learning how to create strong, trusting, collaborative relationships in constantly changing environments—with companions I didn’t choose, in cultures I was still learning, and in a language I didn’t yet speak. To succeed, I needed to understand people deeply, identify their real needs, and build a foundation where we could lead, serve, and grow together.
Solutions
To strengthen teamwork, communication, and purpose across constantly changing environments, I focused on several key approaches:
Building Unity and Trust in Companionships
Listened deeply to understand the needs, fears, and strengths of each companion I worked with.
Initiated open conversations to clarify expectations, align goals, and build emotional connection.
Practiced conflict resolution skills, approaching difficult moments with calmness and compassion.
Prioritized relationships over tasks, knowing unity would ultimately strengthen our work.
Strategic Adaptation & Creative Problem-Solving
Adapted outreach methods—street contacting, community outreach, social media campaigns, and member collaboration—to fit each area’s unique culture.
Created small, consistent goals (like number of conversations per day or people taught per week) to drive progress toward our larger purpose.
Became comfortable making decisions, taking initiative, and finding creative ways to fulfill our purpose within structured guidelines.
Leading and Developing Teams
Served on leadership team to create and execute a plan for 180+ missionaries.
Worked one-on-one with individuals to identify personal barriers, model new techniques, and practice actionable steps.
Followed up regularly to evaluate progress, adjust plans, and provide support.
Embraced leadership assignments before I felt fully ready, learning to rely on preparation, faith, and adaptability.
Strengthening Communication Skills
Learned to communicate clearly in both English and French, even in high-stress or emotionally sensitive situations.
Practiced speaking with clarity, calmness, and empathy—especially when others were frustrated or discouraged.
Built confidence in approaching strangers and initiating meaningful conversations despite initial fear or discomfort.
Impact
Stronger team alignment, leading to clearer communication and more consistent progress
Refined interpersonal and leadership skills, including conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and cultural adaptability
A deeper understanding that strong relationships lead to strong outcomes, shaping how I approach teamwork and leadership today
Overall, my mission taught me that meaningful work happens through people. When teams feel understood, supported, and connected, they can accomplish remarkable things—and that insight continues to influence every project I undertake.
Tools
Leadership Tools
Active listening & empathy
Conflict resolution
One-on-one coaching
Team motivation & alignment
Communication Tools
English & French fluency
Public speaking & training
Community & outreach communication
Strategy Tools
Goal-setting frameworks
Iterative testing & refinement
Context-based adaptation
Decision-making in uncertainty
