Missionary duo inspires thousands to take the road less travelled
LOS ANGELES, CA—While many Western believers claim the age of white missionaries is dead, Timothy Scott and William Decker go out and travel the road. For 15 years the young missionaries have carried the gospel to the world's most dangerous and remote places.
At 19, Scott felt God tell him to abandon his goal of a career in the stock market to travel overseas preaching the gospel. Scott's parents encouraged him not to go alone, so following God's leading, Scott invited his friend Decker to join him.
"William wasn't even a Christian at the time," Scott says. "We didn't know anything about extreme journeys into remote villages. I sold my car, we sold everything we owned and just headed out."
After witnessing God's power, Decker became a Christian while the pair journeyed through China. They travelled for one year, sharing the gospel in more than 25 countries, living on $13 a day.
"We came back and knew we had to do something more," Scott says. "We were totally focused on bringing the gospel to places it's never been. We wanted to get more people involved, so we decided to document our journeys."
After another 18 months of travelling, they returned to produce a reality TV show, "Travel The Road," which currently airs Saturdays on Trinity Broadcasting Network in the United States and on satellite.
"We didn't have support teams, no camera crews, it was just Will and I. The sole purpose was showing people there is an unreached world and that missions is an exciting life."
Today the pair, now in their 30s, have preached the gospel in 94 countries and produced 48 episodes of "Travel The Road," but after carrying the gospel so far, Scott believes the first step is the most important.
"A lot of missionaries fail to get started out of fear," he explains. "It's so important to follow what God is speaking in your heart. That's the most important lesson we've learned. It's not your talents or anything else that will bring you to the life God has for you, it's your availability."
Scott says anyone can do missions, and says not to hesitate if that's where you feel God leading. He says it is easy to make excuses or simply put off God's call.
"Just start. You won't have all the answers, but you will start down a path that will lead you to great things," he explains. "You could literally just work at McDonald's and find some family members who are willing to give you some money. If God is calling you, make a plan and go do it."
Kenny Gatlin, the duo's former pastor, says they are an awesome example to North American believers.
"Tim and Will believe the Bible—all of it, so they don't hesitate to act on it. Their faith is strong, they don't back off."
Steve Shank, a close friend of Scott's father, says as the pair stepped out in faith they grew into mature men of God.
"Their love for God has driven and motivated them to keep going," Shank states. "You can see that expressed by their great love for the different people of the world. Their journey has inspired thousands to commit their lives to [missions]."
Scott and Decker have a vision of young people travelling all over the world, passionately sharing God's message of love and forgiveness.
"Seeing people inspired is the bigger part of the ministry," Scott says. "Will and I are just two people going into remote areas, but the bigger impact is by raising up others who can go and do the same."
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