Mosaic Ambassador Spotlight: Why Mike Westaway Believes Kids Are the Secret to Missions

Ashland Watson
17 hours ago
9 min read

Mike Westaway didn't set out to become a missions mobilizer. He just wanted to show his three kids that they could make a difference.

What started as a simple desire to demonstrate faith in action has transformed into something far bigger: two successful fundraising events, clean water flowing in Tanzania, playground equipment heading to the Philippines, and countless children discovering they don't have to wait until they're grown to change lives across the globe.

Meet Mike Westaway, a Mosaic Ambassador whose story proves that ordinary people willing to take the first step can accomplish extraordinary things.

A Follower of Jesus with an Incredibly Busy Schedule

Mike describes himself simply: a follower of Jesus, a husband, a father of three, and an airline pilot who can recite the alphabet backwards! (Impressive Mike!)

Photo by: Danielle Mancino Instagram: @daniellemancinophoto

He came to faith at 26, discovering that Christianity wasn't about following a set of rules but about a relationship with a person who cared deeply about those who are less fortunate. That relationship changed everything.

When Mike and his wife Kim started attending Cornerstone Community Church in 2020, they connected with our founder Mark Sherman through a life group and discipleship group.

Through Mark, Mike discovered Mosaic International and something he never thought possible: he could participate in global missions despite an airline pilot's unpredictable schedule that doesn't allow for bidding vacation days or planning international trips.

"As a Mosaic Ambassador, I can make an impact on world missions from my own ZIP code," Mike explains.

For someone who believed in helping others but couldn't imagine traveling to Africa or Asia, this was revolutionary.

Why Kids? Because They Want to Help

Mike's focus on mobilizing children started, in his own words, as "self-serving." He wanted to show his three kids that they could make a difference, that Christ followers and missionaries aren't just the adults they know.

"I wanted to show them that missionaries aren't just the adults that they know and people who make a difference around the world aren't just the adults they know. They don't have to wait to grow up to make a difference."

But what began as a personal mission to teach his children quickly revealed something beautiful about kids in general: they genuinely want to help.

"When you explain a global need to a child, something simple like water or a swing, they are instantly on board. Sure, I want to help with that! The innocence is very Christlike, and I believe that is what Christ was speaking about when he told us to act like children in our faith."

While adults have limitations, restricted schedules, hesitations, and excuses, kids have something far more valuable: open hearts ready to serve.

The Walk for Water That Changed Everything

Mike's first major event as a Mosaic Ambassador was helping with a fundraiser for World Water Day in 2024. The cause touched his heart deeply. When Mosaic organized a group walk for World Water Day in March 2025, something remarkable happened: the kids literally led the group. His children and Mark's children were out front, setting the pace, full of energy and purpose.

"It seemed obvious to me that kids want to make a difference, and I wanted to open a door to show them that they could."

That's when Mike felt God leading him to organize a water walk centered entirely around kids, raising the money, doing the walking, and showing that they could provide clean water to communities across the world.

When the day of the Kids Walk for Water arrived in Old Town Murrieta, Mike faced the universal anxiety of every event organizer: would anyone actually show up?

"I don't know how to host mission events. I just tried to do it, and one of the things I'm learning is that you don't really know how many people are actually gonna show up."

When families filled the streets, when kids came with their fundraising pages ready, when the community gathered with heavy water jugs to walk in solidarity with children in Tanzania, Mike felt overwhelmed with emotion.

"I felt very emotional and mostly I wanted to show the kids that they had made a difference. I tried to make a small speech and I tried to lead a prayer without getting choked up, which was difficult."

The moment that captured the entire event? Kids being kids, fighting over who got to carry the heavy water jugs at the beginning, then fighting over who had to carry them when they got heavy, all while being able to clearly articulate why they were there: to help others and make a global impact.

The Kids Walk for Water raised $3,490, which brought clean, safe water to more than 3,490 people in Ogutu Village, Tanzania, transforming an entire community where sickness from dirty water had been part of everyday life.

From Water to Playgrounds: Play and Pray Takes Shape

Mike didn't stop with one successful event. When he learned about the need for playground equipment and school supplies for children in Donsol, Philippines, he organized Play and Pray, another kids-focused service event.

The concept is similar to the water walk: kids helping kids. Through Mosaic's partnership model, the event will meet a simple community need (safe space for children to play) while building relationships that open doors to share the good news of Christ.

"Play and Pray is similar in that it involves kids helping to make a global impact. By meeting that need, we can integrate ourselves into the community, develop a relationship, meet needs, and then spread the good news of Christ."

Mike is excited to see what Edwin and the team in the Philippines will do with the funds raised, and he looks forward to what Mosaic does best: showing proof of impact.

Lessons Learned: It's OK If You Don't Know What You're Doing

Mike's journey as a Mosaic Ambassador hasn't been all smooth sailing. Not every idea has worked. Not every event has been as successful as he hoped. But he's learned critical lessons along the way:

1. Rely on God

"I genuinely do believe that God has led me in each of the two events I've tried to organize by myself through Mosaic."

2. No amount of service is too small

Even when events don't seem like they'll be effective, persistence matters. Other Mosaic members have encouraged Mike to keep working, to not give up.

3. Many people are interested in helping but don't want to be mobilized initially

This requires patience and persistence. You have to keep inviting, keep sharing the vision, keep opening doors.

4. It's OK if you don't know what you're doing

"What I think would be an important lesson that I have learned to share with another ambassador would be that it is OK if you don't know what you're doing and it doesn't work out. God will use you."

This might be the most important lesson of all.

The Humility of Impact

When Mike heard that the $3,490 raised by kids had reached Ogutu Village and transformed an entire community with clean water, his response was characteristically humble:

"It's very humbling and it's unbelievable, frankly. All credit to God, and it's hard to believe that organizing an event like that made such an impact."

Mike has never been to Tanzania. He's never seen Ogutu Village or met the families who now have access to clean water. As an airline pilot with limited control over his schedule, he looks forward to the day when he has greater seniority and can bid for days off to visit these places himself.

But here's what sets Mosaic apart: Mike trusts the organization.

"One of the things I like about being an ambassador for Mosaic is that I trust the organization. Mark and so many other people through Mosaic and Francis have been there and are there and have seen it, and I trust them. So it feels great to make that impact, and it's humbling to think that it happened because God led me to organize an event like the water walk."

What Being a Mosaic Ambassador Means

When asked to sum up what it means to be a Mosaic Ambassador in one sentence, Mike said:

"Being a Mosaic Ambassador is an opportunity to put faith into action, to represent your faith with works, and to spread the message of Jesus to the ends of the Earth."

For someone who once couldn't imagine going to Africa or Asia, Mike has discovered he can make a global impact in the name of Jesus right from his own community. He doesn't possess a special set of skills. He's just open to the work of God in his life.

"I was one of the people who when I came to faith I agreed with Christ and agreed with the Bible, but couldn't ever imagine myself going to Africa, going to Asia, or going around the world. I'm just a Christ follower who can now make a global impact in the name of Jesus, thanks to the Mosaic Ambassador program."

A Message to Parents: Start Now

Mike's advice to parents who want to raise compassionate, service-minded kids is direct and practical:

"Please send me a message and I will get you involved in our next event. Or reach out to your own church. At Cornerstone, my wife started an ambassador program for kids. There are programs through so many churches and certainly through Mosaic where you can get your kids involved. If you want your kid involved, I will make it happen through the next Mosaic event. There is never a lack of need for help."

For anyone thinking about becoming a Mosaic Ambassador or starting their own fundraising event but feeling unsure, Mike's encouragement is simple but powerful:

"You can do it. The voice in your head saying you can't do it is not of God. I believe I have been led by the Spirit to organize these events, and I know God will help anyone who is willing as well. Fear is not of God. There is no reason to be afraid to become an ambassador."

The Beauty of Mosaic's Model

Mike appreciates that becoming an ambassador doesn't require having all the ideas or all the answers.

"By definition, an ambassador represents the policies of the organization it represents. You don't need to have all the ideas. All you need to do is go to the Mosaic website, read about Mosaic, and see what God does in your heart. If you agree with Mosaic and can represent its policies, you are ready to be an ambassador."

The next step is simply having a conversation with Tyler, one of Mosaic's team members. No one is asking you to do this alone. Mosaic walks with you every step of the way. God leads you. And Mike is happy to talk to anyone who's interested.

"I do not possess a certain set of skills to do this. I'm just open to the work of God in my life, and He has graciously provided me with this blessed opportunity to make a difference in His name."

From Murrieta to the World

Mike Westaway's story reminds us that world-changing impact doesn't require perfect credentials, international travel experience, or a flexible schedule. It requires:

Willingness to say yes when God leads
Trust in the organizations and partnerships God provides
Recognition that kids have open, willing hearts ready to serve
Persistence even when you don't know what you're doing
Humility to give God all the credit

Two events. Two communities transformed. Countless children discovering they can change the world.

And it all started with one dad who wanted to show his three kids that they could make a difference.

As 1 Timothy 4:12 reminds us:

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

From Murrieta to Tanzania to the Philippines, Mike Westaway has shown us that when we empower the next generation to serve, we don't just change communities across the globe. We change hearts right here at home.

Become a Mosaic Ambassador

Mosaic Ambassadors are passionate advocates who use their voices, networks, and resources to support life-changing work around the world. Whether you're a student, professional, church leader, or simply someone with a heart for service, you can become a messenger of hope.

As 2 Corinthians 5:20 reminds us:

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."

Like Mike discovered, you don't need special skills or a perfect plan. You just need willingness. God will handle the rest.

Learn more about becoming a Mosaic Ambassador

Support Life-Changing Work Through Mosaic International

From clean water in Tanzania to playground equipment in the Philippines, Mosaic International partners with local church leaders to bring sustainable solutions and the hope of Christ to communities around the world. Your generosity creates lasting change. Learn more at mosaicinternational.org

MOSAIC INTERNATIONAL