Alex Morrison came to Spurgeon College to pursue an M.Div. through the Accelerate program. As a student, he became involved in Fusion, helping lead students on overseas missions. Upon graduating, he and his soon-to-be wife hope to serve overseas with the International Mission Board as they continue in a faithful walk with Christ.
MBTS: What experiences at Spurgeon College have most impacted you and equipped you to serve the Kingdom?
Alex Morrison: I was most impacted through a combination of what I learned in class, relationships with professors, and ministry opportunities offered at Spurgeon College. What I learned in class grew my personal faith and therefore strengthened my ability to minister to others. My professors were not only faithful examples; they were friends and mentors who shaped me and gave advice that made me who I am. Finally, I was able to take what I learned from class and be faithful to the Great Commission while serving over summer breaks with GenSend, Fusion, and World Changers.
MBTS: How did you become involved in the Fusion program, and what roles have you had?
Alex: I learned about Fusion through the students I became friends with while living in the Residence Hall and taking on-campus classes. I was interested in overseas missions, so each summer was a step toward discerning whether that was where God was guiding me. During my first summer at the seminary, I served in San Diego through GenSend. Then Fusion allowed me to partner with an intern on a team and go to Turkey the following summer. After that, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a Fusion Advocate and lead a team to Madagascar.
MBTS: What has been most formative about leading and working alongside others in disciple-making?
Alex: Of the many things I could list, living in the life-on-life discipleship of Fusion grew my faith by helping me see hidden sins in my life, teaching me perseverance through trials, and showing me the glory of God when others were sanctified or saved. In America, we live in a very individualistic culture, and I think many of us are blind to it. I was, until I went overseas with Fusion and lived in other countries full of hospitality. In Fusion, God completely reversed my focus from myself to Him and others. Living in a community where I cannot make a single individualistic decision but must always consider the wants and needs of my team was the furnace I needed to destroy my pride and selfishness.
Throughout my time here, my view of God grew, and I learned that perseverance in the faith was sustained not only through my one-on-one relationship with God, but also by the believers around me. I learned that my weakness displays the glory of God and that bringing my weakness to others is crucial for conquering spiritual battles.
Disciple-making is a blessing because you get a front-row seat to see God’s glory. When you are rejected, you see the glory of God’s grace that you, a sinner, can even believe in God and aren’t lost. When people are saved, you have the privilege of witnessing the complete life-change and joy that come from a relationship with Christ. In sanctification, after the long wrestling with God against sin, watching the Holy Spirit destroy sin in other’s lives is worth all the difficulty.
MBTS: For high school students who sense a call to ministry, what advice would you give to help them prepare and pursue it faithfully?
Alex: First, they should look to the end; they should discern the purpose and end of their life. Is it to glorify God and serve others in a way that fulfills the Great Commission? They should examine the lives of faithful leaders in the area of ministry they desire to pursue and seek to imitate their example. Next, they should look inward to assess their character, their walk with God, and their giftings. A person’s walk directly affects the people they minister to. If there is corruption in a person’s heart, there will be corruption in that person’s actions. Finally, they should look to God’s means of guidance: reading the Word daily, praying, seeking counsel from their local church and mentors who know them, and researching and reading books on discerning their calling. God will speak through these means and guide their steps. They must hold their plans loosely and submit to the Lord’s timing and guidance.
