Joey Potts

Joey Potts of Sallisaw is preparing for a life-changing missionary trip to Israel next month.

Potts, 63, who serves as a minister and evangelist, has been undergoing missionary training through IRIS Global, a world-wide missionary training program, since she, with much prayer and guidance from God, decided to enter the field.

“I think I was always called by God to go,” Potts said. “I began preaching when I was 40. I had been in church most of my life but at the age of 40, God called me to preach. At that time women were not really taken seriously as preachers and there were some churches who did not support women preachers. However, I just kept doing what I believed God called me to do. About 23 or 24 years ago, I was attending a Pentecostal church and someone prophesied over me that I was to become a missionary.”

As time went by, Potts said she decided it was time.

After retiring from her job as a nurse in September of last year, Potts enrolled in the missionary training program and in January, began her first three-week missionary training trip to Brazil.

“It was an experience I’ll never forget,” she said. “There were about 40 of us who came from all over the world to learn about street and outreach ministry work firsthand.” Potts said those in the group included missionary trainees from India and other countries.

“There were also interpreters because most of the people there speak Portuguese. That’s a language I’m trying to learn,” Potts said. “We worked in teams. I met a 17-year-old boy from the Amazon. He was the sweetest kid. He was the youngest in his family and his parents decided going into the missionary field would be good for him. It was amazing to learn about the passion he had to get to where we were. He had to travel by boat, bus and a plane to get there. I was just so amazed at his commitment.

“What’s so surprising is that the kids in Brazil want to come here, America, to do missionary work. Sometimes you can be more effective when you’re not from that country.”

“My birthday is on Sept. 28 and it’s the same day I’ll be leaving for Israel,” she said. “I will arrive in Tel Aviv on Sept. 29. I eventually want to end up in Mozambique, Africa. It’s where I want to end up and serve in the mission field for 10 years.”

Potts, who has lived in Sequoyah County since she was 14-years-old, said she grew up going to church. “When I became an adult I began attending Pine Tree Baptist Church, an Indian church located north of Sallisaw.

“They invited me to come and speak about my trip to Brazil and I still go there when I can. They’ve been very supportive towards my ministry and are currently gathering wipes and other things I might need to take with me. Because what we take for granted, such as water, may not be available at all times there. The people in Brazil live so basic. Here in America, if we don’t have air conditioning or heat, we’re going to stay at home. But there, church was held in a small room and I could not believe the crowd of people who had come to worship and they worship with everything they have. They will walk. They are just so hungry for God. It was crowded in that small building, hot, but yet the people were rejoicing in the Lord.”

Potts said prior to her deciding to enter the missionary field, her mother was still living and was not too enthused about her getting involved in missionary work, especially in war-torn or third world countries.

Her husband, Jim, supported her but said he would remain at home while she carried out her work. Since then, both of them have passed and Potts said it was just time for her to do the work God has planned for her.

“My birthday has always been a significant date for me,” Potts said. “Last year I tandem jumped out of an airplane. This year, I’m going to Israel.” Potts said the couple has 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild she enjoys spending time with and has traveled with at times, and traveling is one of the things she enjoys most next to her grandchildren.

“There comes a time when you decide to give it all to the Lord,” she said. “I believe that God has equipped and prepared me for this mission. I’m in good health. I’m a retired nurse and I’m still involved in mental health work so I believe I can do anything He wants me to. Whether it’s ministering with orphans or people who have lost family members or helping those with health needs.

“Most people who attend church have the ultimate goal to go to heaven. It’s why they go to church. But with me, I want a relationship with God. I want to live in His presence while I’m here on earth. Heaven is good but I don’t think much about that. I believe while I’m here on earth, I want to have a relationship with God and do what pleases Him and I feel good and excited about that,” she said.

“It’s weird but I hear drums when I pray. And when I close my eyes, I can see the blood cry out from the land in Africa. That’s where I want to be. I hope to end up there and work for about 10 years before I come home,” she said.

Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-7754433.