Settling Into Spain - An Interview with Trevor Johnson

NAOMI JOHNSTON: What motivated you to become a missionary, and how did you know it was the right path for you?

TREVOR JOHNSON: My missionary calling began when I was 15 years old. Our church took a short trip to Guatemala and worked at an orphanage, and it broke my heart to see these kids who had absolutely nothing—so impoverished. But they loved God way more than I could and truly relied on Him. It shook me up and made me ask the question, “What am I doing? I have everything I need and take for granted, but I lack a deeper faith.” While I was in Guatemala, I prayed a lot, asking God to help me live closer to Him, and He gave me such peace and contentment. My prayers were being answered rapidly, and I just felt like I belonged there.

I came back to the States totally changed. I started learning Spanish because I felt like I would return to Guatemala. I knew I was going to be a missionary. I didn’t know what it would look like, I didn’t know any missionaries, but I knew God was calling me and that He would work things out.

Eight years later, at 24 years old, here I am in Spain. God is fulfilling that calling on my life, bringing me to the mission field. Even though I’m not in Guatemala, I am in a country where they speak Spanish. That goes to show that there isn't wasted time in God's Kingdom. God will use everything and anything for His glory and His plan—in my case, studying Spanish.

NJ: How has this new position affected your personal faith or perspective?

TJ: Before coming to the field, there’s this period of waiting, unknowns, and reliance on God. Once you transfer to the field, it's a lot of that new understanding being put into action. You get to see a different point of view—you’re there, boots on the ground, running, and you finally get to do what God has called you to do. That mindset has transformed the way I see the world around me and how I interact with people here. I feel a whole different depth and connection with the Lord.

NJ: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced since taking up this role?

TJ: One of the biggest challenges has been the unfamiliarity with the culture and the way the Spanish legal system works. There have been some light and simple challenges, like trying to find an appointment opening at the police station or trying to find time to get my residency card and other stuff like that. Another challenge is the language. I'm doing well with it, but it’s still challenging when someone sits down and starts asking me a bunch of questions. That’s when it becomes a little more stressful.

But overall, there haven’t been any major challenges yet! Even with these smaller challenges, I wouldn’t be able to do this if it were just me. I’m glad for people like Jorge, the Peña camp director. He’s helped a lot, giving me guidance and knowing what my next steps are when it comes to becoming a resident, getting an apartment, registering for language school, and getting a car. He's been super helpful, either calling these places or going in person with me. One Mission Society has a huge regional team and a lot of people who've been in Spain, but they’re not here physically. It’s hard to Zoom with someone for help with getting a residency permit. It's priceless having someone who’s actually on the field.

NJ: What's been the most rewarding experience you've had with the community so far?

TJ: A big reward for me has been the many opportunities to get out of my comfort zone, whether that's going to a new church or talking to a stranger. I really do love people, and I feel that the Lord has been working every day to bring people across my path. Sometimes that comes simply as a pull in a certain direction. When I’m feeling a little crummy or anxious about something, the Lord will set up a random encounter, whether it’s a guy at the store or someone at church. Even with my very limited Spanish, just being able to talk with them is so uplifting. There's just something about Spanish people—they’re so friendly and happy, and they want to include you. Every time I’ve been feeling down, I start talking with a random person, and I leave that conversation feeling happy. It serves as a small reminder of why I’m here in Spain—these are the people I am here to serve. To me, that's very rewarding.

NJ: You mentioned church. Do you feel like you’ve been able to find a church community? I know you’ve only been there around four months, but have you found a community you can settle into, or are you still looking?

TJ: I’m still looking. There’s a church one town over that I visited and clicked with. It’s an international church founded by OMS-adjacent missionaries who’ve been here for 10-15 years. The missionaries speak great Spanish, and I met them when they were taking a retreat at Peña. I was able to introduce myself and exchange phone numbers.

Recently, I went to church with them, and there were some amazing people from Europe, South America, and North America. The best part was that it’s a church based around tables and conversation, and we were able to get to know each other. Afterwards, there was a shared potluck, and I was welcome to stay, even though I didn’t bring anything. Once again, I was able to share good conversation over good food.

I love that it’s an international church. It’s not conducted in English—it’s still in Spanish—but there are people from Texas who attend and other English speakers that I can talk to and have real conversations with about what I’m doing in Spain. I feel “poured into,” versus going to an only-Spanish church, where I still don’t speak fluent Spanish. I can’t understand anything, can’t talk to the people, and leave feeling like I haven’t just been to church.

There are so many churches that come to the camp, so if I meet a local person who’s looking for a church and mine isn’t quite the right fit, I can recommend many churches in many different towns. It feels like I have served many churches through the camp and met good people. Instead of focusing on just one community, I want to start planting tiny roots in lots of places.

NJ: How do you think your transition to the field has impacted your family or personal relationships?

TJ: My friends and family have been supportive from the beginning. As I settled here in Spain, and even when I was preparing to leave, they made it hard to feel alone. Since I’ve been here, it’s been a blessing to keep up with family and the people who’ve made a specific impact on my life. Sometimes I reach out to them directly and say, “Hey, this made me think of you,” or “How are you doing?” I’m blessed to come from such a loving community. Even now, it doesn’t feel like I’m away because they email and pray for me. It still feels like I’m a part of their lives, even though I’m 5,000 miles away.

NJ: What advice would you give to someone considering a similar path into missions?

TJ: It’s important to know God and understand His calling for your life, whatever that looks like. If it’s missions, you should know that you don’t need to be a pastor, have a seminary degree, or have been involved in a lot of ministry. The thing that qualifies you to be a missionary is God’s calling. I believe God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls. You might not fully understand your specific task or role, and you may not have all the answers about the Bible itself, but you are obeying what God is calling you to do. He will bless you through that and take care of you, regardless of what you’re lacking. And along the way, He’ll take what you’re lacking and make you stronger.