Scott and Sofi Jackson are Watermark members serving as missionaries around the globe. They live in Córdoba, Argentina, with their two kids, Lucy and Bennett. While they were in Dallas for a holiday break, they spent some time sharing with us their stories of grace and how the Lord is working through their ministry in Argentina. As you read their words, consider what ways the Lord may be prompting you to serve the nations.
Scott: "I grew up in Dallas at a very healthy church and in a Christian home. We were very involved. I knew a lot about the Bible, but I didn't have a personal relationship with Christ. When I was around 13, I started acting very differently between my home life and with friends. At home, I was a great kid, and then when I'd go out with friends, I'd use cuss words and get into little mischievous things.
"When I was 16, I had a moment when I was reading my Bible, and it felt like all of a sudden, the presence of God hit me with fear of my future. I realized I had no control over my sin––it had begun to control me.
“I realized I had knowledge about God, but I’d never cried out to him and said, ‘I am a sinner. Will you forgive me?’ He showed me what my future would’ve been like if I had continued down the path of letting my sin run me. That’s when my relationship with Christ began.
“A few years after joining Watermark in 2000, I found myself praying about my career's future, feeling a stirring in my heart. While exploring different paths, God opened a door for me to join a friend in Córdoba, Argentina for a couple of years. When I brought this up with my community, family, and the Watermark staff, they were so encouraging. They were familiar with my growing passion for Latin America, which had developed through several short-term mission trips over the years.”
Sofi: "I grew up in Argentina in a conservative Catholic family. In school, I learned how to be a good person and went to Mass every Sunday, but we didn't talk about God or Jesus much during the week. I knew that Jesus saved me, but I didn't understand what he saved me from.
"When I went to college to study English and English translation, I was on my own. I didn't have to go to church with my parents anymore. But at this same time, I started to get involved with the university outreach ministry Scott was working with. The way they cared for the community and helped others was appealing to me, especially with my Catholic background. Through that ministry, I started to learn that I could have a relationship with Jesus and that he saved me from my sins. I didn't need to do good things to go to heaven––it's all about Jesus's work on the cross.”
Scott: “I figured I'd spend maybe two or three years there helping out, then return home to explore other opportunities. But three years became four, then five, and here I still am. During my time doing university outreach, I met Sofi. As this relationship unfolded, I could clearly see God arranging things for me to stay long-term. Looking back now, I see how God used what started as a short-term plan to build my life's work and a family.
“Since 2011, I've been helping launch and run William Carey Seminary, a seminary in Córdoba focused on training current and future leaders who will oversee ministries, plant churches, and serve as missionaries both in Argentina and abroad. I’ve realized one of the main needs in Argentina is healthy churches. There are many towns and places that have no solid biblical church or leadership with a strong theological background. The seminary has now grown to around 500 students. The Lord has also given me a ministry opportunity with local athletes through a tackle football league that has grown to about 150 players. The Lord uses Sofi and her gifts to translate Christian material and curriculum into Spanish––study Bibles, notes, podcasts, etc.
“As I reflect on the challenges of ministry, I know there are going to be times when sharing the gospel is uncomfortable, but that doesn't mean it's bad. Sometimes, we place too much value on comfort and what others think of us. There is a fear of rocking the boat or the time that it takes to spend with people before sharing the gospel. I would challenge people to not be afraid of being uncomfortable. I often have to ask myself, ‘Are you going to be faithful, or are you going to be worried about your comfort?’”
The Jacksons welcome prayers and support, particularly for their new church-planting phase, and invite people to follow their journey through their newsletter at jacksonsinargentina.com
Go Global is an opportunity to learn about Watermark’s global missions, short-term mission trips, and ways you can engage globally. Join us on February 23 at 10:30 AM.
Send Global is a first-step orientation for Watermark members interested in being sent overseas as long-term missionaries. Join us on February 25 at 6:30 PM.