Welcome to Called Sister. Today I’m sitting down with Stella Simpson, who served in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. Stella shares her powerful story of falling away as a teenager, crying out to God for help, and eventually saying yes to a mission she never thought she’d serve. This episode is about conversion, courage, and trusting Jesus when His invitation doesn’t look like your plan.

What if the call to serve doesn’t come because you always wanted it — but because Jesus knows you need it?

In this episode of Called Sister, Sarah Verhoef talks with Stella Simpson, who served in the New Zealand Wellington Mission from April 2024 to September 2025. Stella opens up about falling away from the Church as a teenager, feeling empty and numb, and the moment she finally cried out to Heavenly Father for help.

Together they talk about:

Not wanting to serve a mission at all

A personal conversion that came before missionary service

Learning the true depth of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Culture, language shifts, and life in New Zealand

Being robbed — twice — in one transfer

Mission presidents, spiritual safety, and divine placement

Why exact obedience isn’t the same as authenticity

Giving yourself permission to try, even if it’s scary

This episode is for the girl who’s unsure, the sister who feels unqualified, and the woman who needs to hear that Jesus meets us exactly where we are.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to try.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Invitation to Share
01:40 – Meet Stella: New Zealand Wellington Mission
03:40 – “I Did NOT Want to Serve a Mission”
07:30 – Falling Away, Feeling Empty, and Crying Out to God
11:10 – Conversion Before the Call
14:10 – Getting the Call: An Island & English-Speaking
16:40 – Culture Shock & Mission Reality
19:30 – MTC Lessons on the Atonement
23:20 – Teaching from Personal Conversion
26:30 – Getting Robbed… Twice
31:40 – Mission President: “I Was Called for Them”
35:20 – Culture, People, and Loving New Zealand
38:40 – “It’s Not That Deep” — Be You as a Missionary
42:00 – Advice: Just Do It
45:10 – Stella’s Testimony
49:30 – Closing & You’re Stronger Than You Think


✨ Conversion & Calling

“I didn’t want to serve a mission at all.”

“I cried out to God and asked Him to never let me feel that way again.”

“It wasn’t a huge moment — it just switched.”

💛 Mission Reality

“You don’t know what missionaries actually do until you’re one.”

“It’s not that deep. Just try your best.”

“God called you — not a version of someone else.”

🕊️ Atonement

“There is nowhere you can go that Jesus hasn’t already been.”

“He doesn’t yell because He’s standing right next to you.”

🔥 Encouragement

“If it’s not for you, that’s okay — there’s no shame in trying.”

“You don’t know until you do it.”

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