CJ McDowell

Home Church: The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA

Starting Year with SAMS: 2026

Calling to Ministry: CJ has spent time living abroad and loved hearing the stories of missionaries but never thought that she would be a missionary herself. Then in the summer of 2025, shortly after the Lord taught her that He is faithful to provide a way to where He calls even when she can’t see the way, she felt the Lord call her to go “to the ends of the earth.” She has spent the last year wrestling with this calling by talking with trusted mentors, friends, and church leaders, taking a Perspectives course to learn more about missions, and most importantly seeking the Lord through Scripture and also many confused rambles of prayer, often while driving. She is excited for this opportunity to start the “going” by serving as a Missionary Bridger as she continues to discern and understand this calling “to the ends of the earth.”

Mission and/or Vision for Ministry: CJ will be serving with Kenya Connection as they disciple youth and young adults and empower them to impact their communities through supporting education, job skills, and entrepreneurship. She looks forward to building relationships, walking with youth and young adults as they walk out their faith, strengthening already-present connections between her home church and Kenya, and learning a great deal about missions, ministry, and both living and worshiping cross-culturally.

Personal Points of Interest: CJ grew up in a military family and had her first cross-cultural living experience when her family moved to Japan during her middle school years. She graduated from Regent University with a bachelor's in psychology, which helped prepare her surprisingly well for these past two years of working in youth ministry. She enjoys swing dancing, reading anything written by G.K. Chesterton, discussing theological questions over coffee, and going on adventures with friends. She also enjoys painting and occasionally writing poetry.

Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 40:16

“May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’”