A plane takes off from north-central Kentucky and makes its way approximately 6,500 miles across the globe. Its wheels hit the runway, and the roar of its engine fades into silence. As the doors swing open, the rich fragrance of lush rainforest and salty ocean air welcomes its passengers. Stepping off the plane and onto the land of vibrant American Samoa, Bloomfield native Anna Claire Carwile took in what would be her home for the next seven weeks of serving, learning and living out her faith.
For Carwile, the decision to spend her summer in American Samoa wasn’t made lightly, but it was a desire God had grown in her over some years. She had always been surrounded by missions through her home church, Bloomfield Baptist Church, which would send teams overseas to Poland each year. She had served on three of these trips before, but it wasn’t until she attended a conference, Cross Con, that her heart began to stir for the nations.
“The Bible is super clear that God desires that every tribe, tongue and nation be represented in Heaven,” she said, as she reflected on her calling.
Through prayer and seeking God’s will, Carwile felt called to join the International Mission Board’s Nehemiah Team and committed to serving for two months in a place she had never been, among people she had never met.
Soon enough, she and her team got settled on the island. For the seven weeks they were there, Carwile and her team lived at Happy Valley Baptist Church, where they studied and rested each day before heading out to serve at different local churches. Most of their mornings began with personal Bible study, followed by team readings. They would then spend their afternoons with host churches where they would teach children, lead youth Bible studies and participate in community activities. Evenings allowed time for watching the sunset, walks and reflecting on the day.
“I just remember going home at the end of the day and thanking God for what he was doing and being amazed by the God we serve,” Carwile said.
Her father, Pastor Richard Carwile of Bloomfield Baptist Church, said seeing Anna Claire step into this role was both an answered prayer and a testimony of God’s work in her life.
“My wife and I have four children, and we have always prayed that the Lord would put missions on our children’s hearts,” he said. “Seeing him send one of our kids, even just for a summer, was a great encouragement to us.”
He highlighted how he’s seen her grow through this experience.
“Anna Claire has always been a strong initiative taker,” he said. “She decided early on that she would do this and invited us to pray for her. There were a lot of unknowns when she was going…she learned to depend on the Lord in situations she couldn’t control, and this allowed her to have a bigger perspective of the world.”
One moment in particular left a lasting impact on Carwile. During week five, she and her teammate were leading a gospel-sharing workshop at a local Baptist church with nine students. During this time, students explored the gospel, prepared presentations and practiced sharing their testimonies with their partners for hours.
“Watching their hunger and eagerness left me in awe at what God was doing in their lives,” Carwile said. “They saw that God was good, and they wanted to share it. They didn’t want to just keep it to themselves. They shared their testimonies in front of everyone, and it was the coolest thing ever to hear what the Lord was doing in their lives.”
As fulfilling as the trip was, Carwile admitted that she found herself doubtful and confused the first week on mission as she questioned her purpose there. In this moment, she turned to prayer, scripture and the support of her teammate to find clarity and encouragement.
“Acts 20:24 and Galatians 2:20 became truths I clung onto,” Carwile said. “Serving Christ requires selflessness, obedience and trust, and I had to understand that it wasn’t about me, but about living as an image-bearer of God.”
Her perseverance not only impacted those she met on the island, but it also encouraged her family back at home. Her older sister, Vivian Carwile, remembered what it was like to see her sister step out of her comfort zone in such a bold way.
“At first, I laughed when she said she was going to American Samoa because it didn’t seem like her,” said. “But she loves Jesus, and that to me shows why she takes the great commission so seriously.”
And while persistence has always been a trait of hers, Carwile’s sister shared that it became even clearer as the trip went on.
“Near the end of her time there, a bad storm hit the island, and she texted our family group chat saying, ‘We can’t stop the weather, but we can still share the gospel,’” Vivian said. “Even in a situation like that, she was focused on the reason she was there and saw every opportunity to share Jesus.”
By the end of the summer, Carwile’s faith and desire to serve God and others had grown. She said she is motivated by the number of people who have yet to hear the gospel and now feels an urgency to share it with others in everyday encounters.
Looking back, Carwile said the summer has shaped her perspective on her life and future. She plans to pursue a master’s in missiology and hopes to serve on the International Mission Board for some time.
“Serving the Lord is essential,” she said. “He’s worthy of our life and our desires, and everything…He’s it.”
Carwile still keeps in touch with the students and people she met this summer, even months after returning home. The lessons she learned this summer have shaped her daily life and have pushed her to take steps toward serving where she is now. Carwile hopes that other believers will be encouraged to follow God’s calling and live a life reflecting bold obedience.
“Because of this trip and what the Lord taught me, I am committed to finishing the Great Commission in this generation,” she said, echoing the Nehemiah Team’s mission statement.”
