*June Estes’ heart was awakened to the nations at a young age.

After accepting Christ as a child, June expressed her desire to follow in Gladys Aylward’s footsteps and serve in China. However, it wasn’t until she experienced a life-changing semester in Southeast Asia after high school that her calling was confirmed. The Lord used this opportunity to break her heart for the lost and solidify her commitment to global missions. “I knew after that semester that there was nothing more worth giving my life to than joining in the global mission of God,” June said.

Preparation through the Palmetto Collective

During her college years, June’s focus gradually shifted to the unreached and unengaged people groups of South Asia. June’s involvement with her church, school, and the Palmetto Collective further fueled her passion for these forgotten souls. It was through these experiences that she realized the urgency and significance of joining the global mission of God.

Recognizing the need for adequate preparation, June found a valuable resource in the Palmetto Collective. The Palmetto Collective is an SCBaptist program that equips college juniors and seniors for a lifetime of fruitful mission and ministry. This program provided her with practical tools and equipped her for the challenges she would face overseas. “I was encouraged to stop asking, ‘who will go’ and start asking, ‘why wouldn’t I go?'” June said.

The First Project 3000 Missionary to be Sent

June is the first to be sent for Project 3000 with the International Mission Board (IMB). IMB’s Project 3000 is a pioneering initiative that has identified 3,072 people groups across the globe who likely have no Gospel access. Fueled by Southern Baptists’ Cooperative Program gifts, missionaries like June are preparing to go to the deepest part of lostness to find the people no one else is looking for.

“My mission is to reach the unengaged people of South Asia that have no access to the Gospel and no evangelistic witness among them,” June said. “It’s entirely possible that I will be the first Christian these people have ever encountered.” Her goal is to serve as a bridge between the unengaged people of South Asia and the Gospel, in hopes that many others will follow her footsteps.

Prayer and Support from SCBaptists

June acknowledges the crucial role that prayer and support from SCBaptists and her home church have played in her life. Their unwavering faith and encouragement have carried her to this point, but she recognizes that her journey has only begun. “I cannot stress enough how much more prayer I will need,” June said. She says SCBaptists can pray for safety and wisdom as she travels to a spiritually dark and difficult place. June seeks a joyful heart abiding in Christ, and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as she engages with the lost.

*Names have been changed for security purposes. This image was generated with the assistance of AI.