From Musicals To Mission

This time last year I was working as an actress performing six musicals a week at a professional theatre in America. If you had told me then that I’d be spending 2020 on mission in Australia, I would have thought you were crazy.

A Broadway career had been my dream since before I could remember. I had grown up performing, earned my musical theatre degree from university, and was building my resume performing around the country. In between theatre gigs, I lived in New York City where I trained, auditioned constantly, and worked multiple side jobs to pay my rent. It was the life I had always wanted but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I knew there had to be more, I just had no idea what it was.

I trusted that Jesus had a perfect plan for me so I turned to Him. I asked what He wanted for my life and prayed that I’d be open to His answer, whatever it was. Suddenly, this thing called NET started coming up in the strangest ways, online, in conversations, and in prayer. The idea of being a missionary was intriguing but I couldn’t see how it possibly fit into my life plan, and I certainly didn’t fit the missionary stereotype I had in mind, so I didn’t give it much thought. I was pretty oblivious to the signs until one Sunday after Mass, I prayed “Jesus, I’m just not seeing what you want me to do, you’re going to have to show me in a way that is undeniable.”

As I got on the subway to head back to my apartment, I played a random podcast in my queue. It happened to be one of Cameron Fradd’s podcasts featuring her husband, Matt Fradd. They were discussing their time as NET missionaries and they mentioned NET Australia, which I had never heard of. It sounded interesting so as I listened, I went to the NET Australia website and absent mindedly entered my contact details for more info.

A few seconds later I got a call from an unknown number. I remember thinking it was spam and being annoyed that my podcast had been interrupted just as I was trying to hear more about this cool NET thing. I could hardly believe it when the unknown number turned out to be Emma Fradd, the recruiting coordinator. She and I just clicked instantly. We talked for over an hour, mostly about music. She also told me about NET and that they were still looking for someone to fill a spot for the mission year beginning in a matter of weeks. The whole conversation felt like an out-of-body experience. It was totally Spirit-led. An hour earlier, I hadn’t known NET Australia even existed and suddenly it was what I wanted to do more than anything. I couldn’t explain why but I just knew in my gut that it was right. This was the undeniable calling I had been praying for. Less than 48 hours later, I had applied, interviewed, quit my jobs, and booked flights to Australia.

I never planned on doing NET but if it has shown me anything, its that Jesus’ plans for my life are greater and more amazing than anything I could dream on my own. This year on mission has been more than I ever could have imagined. Jesus is doing amazing things and I have no doubt that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Nicole Cordle

NET Missionary | ACU North Sydney Team 2020