Hello....Meet Aaron!

Aaron was finishing his bachelor's degree and was planning on going to Physical Therapy school when he changed directions and started looking for missions opportunities. Aaron started exploring through Christian friends and discovered GoCorps! As he talked with his mentor in GoCorps, she told him about a team in Italy that was using baseball to share the gospel. Aaron knew right away this was where he needed to go, as he felt excited about the idea and it aligned well with his interests and giftings.

>>Tell us about where you served and a general overview of your two-year placement.

Aaron: I served on the sports track in the city of Messina, Italy. I was part of a small church planting team, and our main outreach was through coaching and playing baseball and softball, and organizing summer sports events. It was difficult to build ministry momentum in a very culturally catholic context.

>>Why are you glad that you tithed 2 years in your 20's?

Aaron: I learned skills that I never would have if I had stayed in the US. Not only language skills, but also learning to rely on God when I was totally uncomfortable and powerless. I also met some great friends in Italy, including my now wife!

>>What was your biggest barrier to getting overseas?

Aaron: Support raising was a daunting task for me. Not only did I need to make an uncomfortable life change, but I also had to convince a lot of people to help me do it!

>>When you think about your experience in your placement, what are you most proud of?

Aaron: I am proud of the resilience I was able to show during very difficult times. I'm also proud that I learned a new language, and hopefully left an impact on the people I met.

>>How did your experience living overseas positively impact your faith?

Aaron: I experienced physically, rather than studied theoretically, God's purpose and goodness in the midst of suffering and hardship.

>>What is one thing about the culture or work in your host country that you really enjoyed or appreciated?

Aaron: I loved the pace of life in Italy. I found that daily life centered around food and family was very mentally healthy.

>>How did your experience tithing your career directly or indirectly impact your career or job opportunities after you returned?

Aaron: After returning, I found it a little bit more difficult to jump back into my field. I needed to continue some certifications in order to land a decent job. However, I found that in interviews, people appreciated the life experience and maturity that I had gained.

>>Tell us about one of your craziest experiences.

Aaron: I almost died in a Vespa crash.

>>Share one or two great things that have happened as a direct result of your Tithing Your Career overseas after college.

Aaron: 1. I got married! 2. I learned a new language, and now I live in Switzerland. I find the idea of moving to different countries much more possible and less daunting.

>>What would you say to someone who was considering tithing their career as their next step?

Aaron: Consider it carefully, it's no small decision. Know that, if you decide to go for it, you will be a more mature, globally minded person than before. It's difficult to go back to how your life was before.

>>How many years has it been since you completed your two years with GoCorps and what are you doing now?  (both career-wise and living missionally)

Aaron: I served in Italy from fall 2019 to December 2022. I am now living in Geneva, Switzerland with my wife. I'm currently studying French, working part-time as a PE teacher, and attending a small international church.

I found that in interviews people appreciated the life experience and maturity that I had gained.