Faithful From the Start: Dustin & Niki’s Discovery Journey
Discovering your mission in life can begin at any age. For Dustin and Niki, that journey started young—and has carried them across the world.
A Heart for the Nations
When Niki was in 6th grade, God placed a burden on her heart for world missions. Specifically, He gave her a vision for China. While her peers were busy with school and sports, Niki held onto a calling that she couldn’t explain but knew was real.
When Dustin was entering his teenage years he didn’t have a sense of what God might have in store. That all changed in 8th grade, when he was introduced to DYM. For months he listened, asked questions, and wrestled with the message of the gospel. Eventually, he made the most important decision of his life—accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
A Journey Shaped by DYM
High school brought unique opportunities for Dustin. He traveled to Israel and then to China—a country that captured his heart in the same way it had captured Niki’s years earlier.
In 1996, Dustin and Niki began dating. Just a few months later, Dustin left for a 10-month mission in China. Their relationship stretched across miles and time zones, but both stayed committed to God’s calling.
Summers were spent back home serving as DYM interns, mentoring younger students and helping them discover their mission. Those experiences solidified their belief that God was calling them into a lifetime of missions.
Marriage and Mission
Five years after their relationship began, Dustin and Niki graduated with honors from their respective colleges and were united in marriage. Together, they pursued world missions with their whole hearts.
They spent years learning languages, building relationships, and serving in the country that had so deeply shaped their journeys. Their ministry was fruitful and their family grew. But the road wasn’t without challenges—personal struggles and tragedies tested their resolve.
Eventually, when the worldwide virus swept through, they were forced to leave the country they had called home.
A New Chapter
Today, Dustin and Niki continue to serve in another Asian country. Their work is focused on adults, college age, and unreached teens, and they draw heavily from their own early experiences with DYM. What they once received as teenagers and interns, they now pass on to a new generation—helping others discover their mission in Christ.
Why Their Story Matters
Dustin and Niki’s journey is a story of faithfulness. From teenage decisions to adult obedience, they consistently chose to follow God’s leading. Their lives are a reminder that the discovery journey is not about one big moment, but a series of small, faithful steps.
Takeaway
God’s call can come early—and it can carry us further than we ever imagined. Faithfulness in one season prepares us for the next.
How You Can Join the Story
Pray for Dustin and Niki as they continue to serve among unreached people and teens in Asia.
Serve by investing in the next generation through mentoring and discipleship.
Give to support the ongoing mission of DYM, which continues to raise up leaders like Dustin and Niki.