Go2Years is a challenge for graduating students and young professionals to do what they do well for the glory of God, somewhere strategic for the mission of God. Emma Whaley is leveraging her two-year degree to invest in a local church plant in Greenville, N.C.

For Emma Whaley, the Go2 initiative is just the right fit for this season of life. After serving on the BeDoTell staff last summer, she started her first year of sonography school in Greenville, N.C.

“It’s unique for me because my degree is for two years, and so to be able to serve somewhere I was already planted at for school … has been super cool,” Whaley said. 

The Go2 initiative challenges graduating students and young professionals to commit two years to serving God’s kingdom in a strategic, disciple-making context. Many do so through ministry residencies, church plants or international missions teams.

During her time with BeDoTell, Whaley met Alex Hugo, N.C. Baptists’ college ministries strategist, who connected her with church planter Tyler Eason in Greenville. Eason and his family had recently moved from Raleigh to plant Gospel Hope Church.

When Whaley first attended a home group at the Easons’ home, Eason immediately noticed her heart for ministry.

“She was a young lady who loves people, who loves the Lord,” he said. “From the very beginning, she was like, ‘I’m in. I want to help however I can.’”

Now, Whaley serves Gospel Hope Church by preparing weekly worship slides and volunteering in the children’s ministry. But Eason says her presence alone is a blessing to the church.

“Go2 gives an opportunity for committed students who love the Lord and love people to get plugged in themselves, but also to help other people connect with a healthy church,” he said.

It’s a challenge to “do what you do well for the glory of God, and do it somewhere strategic for the mission of God,” Go2 leaders often say.

Whaley initially wasn’t sure if she was “the person” for this role, but she has seen God shape her for ministry.

“Where the Lord calls you, He’s going to equip you,” she said. “We want Greenville to thrive. We want Greenville to come to know the Lord more, whether that’s at our church or another church — we’re on mission together.”

In addition to making connections with church plants through SendNC and the North American Mission Board, Go2 can also connect graduates to opportunities with the International Mission Board like Journeyman or a missions residency; Baptists on Mission to teach English in Hungary; or local cross-cultural ministry through Dwell, a volunteer ministry fellowship with Waypoint Church. 

“What I love about Go2 is that it challenges students to consider moving to some really tough places around the world, but it also offers a challenge to live on mission in ordinary places with the ordinary rhythms of their lives,” said Hugo. 

“Go2 is about helping graduates and young adults see every part of their lives in light of the kingdom of God,” Hugo said. “They may not be with their church plant or mission team forever, but our hope is that the experience will help them understand what it means to live on mission in any context.”

Students can begin preparing and praying for Go2 by learning about unreached people groups, continuing spiritual disciplines, building a prayer and support team, getting to know church planters, and more. They can explore strategic cities for finding full-time employment that will allow them to join a church planting team.

Students, parents and ministry leaders can learn more and sign up at go2years.org/contact.