Uniquely Qualified: How God Used One Woman to Lead One Thousand People to Christ

When the pandemic first hit, many people felt stranded and lost. Emi, however, was stranded in a much more literal sense. Originally from Argentina, she had planned to go back home in March 2020. But then the border closed, leaving her here in the U.S., alone and directionless. Today, Emi has led over a thousand people to Christ through Saddleback’s grocery distribution — an accomplishment she never would have imagined was possible just one year ago.

FAITH OVER FEAR

At first, Emi felt like giving up. She had no job, no purpose, and no prospect of getting home anytime soon. When she heard about Saddleback’s grocery distributions, she had both the time and desire to get involved. 

When she started serving, she was determined to be as far away from the front lines as possible. On her first day, she unloaded frozen food and did not really interact with anyone who came through. However, on her second time serving, she was asked to serve on the prayer team. She protested and said she did not speak English well enough, but as it turned out, they needed someone who spoke Spanish. 

“I was so nervous,” she said. “I was so out of my comfort zone, so I prayed and I asked him, ‘Help me, please help me because you know I cannot do this.’”

But the very thing she thought disqualified her was exactly what the ministry needed, and she led her first person to Christ that day. After that, she officially joined the prayer team and now prays with people in both English and Spanish. 

“God gave me a purpose,” she said, smiling. “I found my purpose. Through my whole life I didn't know why I was here ... but that day, I just knew it.” 

ENOUGH IN CHRIST

Emi recently led her thousandth person to Christ. 

“For me, keeping the numbers is very, very important and personal because I grew up with a mom that used to say that I’m useless,” she said. “She used to say that to me every single day, so I believed that for my whole life.” 

She said God allowed her to make an impact in this way to show her that she is not useless. 

“Even today, I fight with that every single day,” she said. “I have to remind myself that ‘You are his masterpiece … he’s been using you.’”

Throughout the past year, she has learned that even though she is not enough on her own, she is enough with God. She said the biggest thing she does is to simply show up and allow God to do the rest.

“People that didn’t know Jesus know Jesus now, and it also changed me. I found a family here,” she said. “I care very, very much about every person that said ‘yes’ to Jesus with me. That’s why I keep the number. And that's why I pray for them.”

If you’d like to find a place to serve with Saddleback, click here.