From The Heartland to the Caribbean, Following God’s Call

Published: April 03, 2025

Ever wonder how someone goes from their familiar surroundings to living and working in a completely different cultural context? That's the story of Craig McClure, and it's a journey that's all about stepping outside your comfort zone and finding your purpose.

Craig works as a missionary with Score International Ministries, where he teaches Bible and theology to students in Greenville University’s Climb Experience, a gap semester program in the Dominican Republic. He recently came back to campus to share his experience with GU students, talking about what it's like to do cross-cultural work and how they can get involved.

During a recent talk at The Wednesday Experience (TWE), GU’s all-campus spiritual formation gathering, Craig got real about how figuring out your life's direction isn't always a straight line. "Very rarely do we have the burning bush moment, where God tells us exactly what he wants us to do with our lives” he said. "More often, it is in hindsight, through the faithfulness of walking with Jesus over time, that we see the plan unfold.”

He used the story of Mary and Martha from the Bible (Luke 10:38-42) to illustrate his point. Remember how Mary chose to sit and listen, while Martha was busy with tasks? Craig emphasized that taking the time to listen and be present is key to understanding what you're meant to do.

“When you abide in Christ, He will provide clarity—perhaps not immediately, but gradually over time,” he explained. “That hindsight and faithfulness in the small and mundane moments will guide us and sustain us.”

FROM A CHANCE MEETING TO A LIFE OF SERVICE
Craig's story took an unexpected turn when he met Joanna, a young woman raised in Mexico by missionary parents. Their initial encounter as young teens, marked by his bold declaration that he was going to marry her and her fiery & enthusiastic response in Spanish, sparked a connection that would reshape his life. Though his early aspirations centered on college baseball, Joanna's fluency in Spanish and her experiences in Latin America ignited a curiosity he couldn't ignore.

Years later, a trip to Monterrey, Mexico, with Joanna's family proved transformative. It was there that Craig felt a profound calling to serve the Latin American church, a calling that would eventually lead him and Joanna (who did get married!) to the Dominican Republic. For the past twelve years, they've dedicated their lives to serving the community. Craig works in missions’ advancement and theological education, while Joanna focuses on discipleship, community health, and their four children. They also played a vital role in planting a local church, which is now led by Dominican pastors.

Today, Craig is fluent in Spanish, and it's also the first language of his children. Looking back, he sees their journey as a testament to a plan far greater than they could have imagined. Their experiences underscore the idea that true fulfillment comes from living out a calling that surpasses one's own perceived abilities.

FINDING YOUR CALLING
Craig shared a powerful story about giving an iPad to an older villager. The man, unfamiliar with the technology, saw it only as a doorstop. It's a reminder that we often underestimate the potential within reach. Just like the iPad, we have incredible resources and opportunities available through our faith, but we need to learn how to access and utilize them.

Think of it this way: everything you need for your journey is already available. You're not starting from scratch. Jesus has already laid the groundwork, and your calling is about discovering and walking in the path He's prepared. It’s like having a treasure map, but you need to learn how to read it.

WHY STEP BEYOND BORDERS?
Craig challenges students to look beyond their familiar surroundings and consider a service-learning semester abroad, not just for a brief experience, but for a profound journey of personal and professional development. "I want to give students exposure to healthy missions," he explains. " I want you to experience a removal of things that have given you comfort and security. The things that are most familiar to us are the things we most often take for granted. With wisdom and intentionality, we will expose you to the areas of your life where you have blinders on."

The Climb Experience is designed to be a transformative service-learning semester, preparing students for future opportunities in ministry and diverse cross-cultural fields. It offers:

• Field-Based Learning: An intensive, hands-on approach, working alongside local organizations to support vulnerable populations, cultivated by our partners, SCORE International.
• Structured Educational Courses: Learning in an alternative setting that fosters new ways of thinking and expands your worldview.
• Language and Cultural Immersion: Opportunities to fully immerse yourself in a new language and culture, gaining valuable cross-cultural communication skills.
• College Credit: Earn meaningful college credit while gaining practical, real-world experience.

The program emphasizes a collaborative approach, recognizing that true service is a partnership. As Kyle Sunderland, the program director, emphasizes, " Our job in the Dominican Republic is to be Christ’s image-bearers, not saviors. When we go to ministry sites, we don’t bring the attitude of ‘we’re here to fix you.’ Instead, we focus on learning and growing alongside the people we meet and serve.”

Students like Taylor Smith illustrate the transformative power of this approach. Initially hesitant to speak Spanish, she discovered that the language was a tool for connection and love. Her experience at a local orphanage, Pasitos de Jesús, forged deep bonds and instilled a sense of purpose. She recalls, “I was nervous to speak Spanish to natives, but our Spanish teacher reminded us, ‘It’s about the ministry first. God isn’t asking you to be perfect in Spanish; He’s equipping you to serve.’

Craig's engaging teaching and passionate commitment to service serve as a powerful example for students like Taylor. He embodies the idea that global engagement is not just about helping others; it's about personal growth, expanding horizons, and discovering one's place in a larger, interconnected world. Climb provides a structured and supportive environment for students to step into this transformative experience, earning college credit while making a lasting difference.

THE CHANGING FACE OF MISSIONS
South America is now a leading force in global missions, with 40% of all missionaries into the world coming from this region, which now sends more missionaries abroad than it receives. This shift is reflected in Craig's work, as he collaborates with South American pastors planting churches in the US.

Craig and Joanna focus on empowering Latin Americans through evangelism, discipleship, and church planting, aiming to equip them to reach both local and global communities.

To learn more about experiencing this global perspective, visit climbexperience.org or contact Kyle Sunderland at kyle.sunderland@climbexperience.org.