From Shreport to the Nations: A Decade of Transformation
Reflecting on the ten-year journey from a prison cell to the global harvest.
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6 min read
Written by:
David Hawkins
Founder, Ekballo International
From Shreport to the Nations: A Decade of Transformation
Written by:
David Hawkins
Founder, Ekballo International
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On April 24, 2014, my life was redirected in a moment. Sitting in a prison cell after a decade of addiction, immorality, and anxiety, I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. I was saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit, and from that day forward, I carried a deep desire to see others encounter Him the way I did.
Grounded in the Word
Transformation doesn't happen in a vacuum. That same year, I joined Life United in Shreveport, Louisiana, where I was personally discipled and began to grow in the Word. I spent years in the local church, graduating from the School of Ministry in 2017. This season laid the foundation for everything to come, teaching me that true ministry flows from intimacy with God—He is the source.
Learning the Harvest
In 2017, God led me to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I joined Global Ventures. Over the next nine years, I didn't just travel; I was submerged in the reality that billions still have never heard the name of Jesus. I personally participated in 22 mass evangelism projects across 15 nations, overseeing discipleship, follow-up, and crusade efforts. These years were my training ground, preparing me for the specific urgency of the Ekballo mandate.
The Permanent Move
Now, in 2026, those ten years of preparation are culminating in a permanent move to Japan. I am moving from being a visitor to becoming a laborer who bases in Asia to plant churches and establish lasting communities of faith. My story is a witness that no one is too far gone for an encounter, and every encounter is meant to lead to a God-given destiny.
Key Takeaways
True ministry begins with a personal encounter and local church discipleship.
Nine years of international missions provided the strategic experience for the current call.
Moving beyond "projects" to permanent residency in the harvest field.
Helping others find their place within a community where their purpose can be lived out.
