Ep 18: Called Beyond Comfort 🇺🇸 Jake Tirabassi In Episode 18 of the Follow Forward Podcast, host Tim Tucker is joined by long-time friend, Jake Tirabassi for an insightful conversation about mission, servant leadership, and learning to trust God through every season of life. Growing up in a Christian home in the United States, Jake appeared to "do everything right" on the outside. But during a mission trip to Mexico at 18 years old, God confronted him with a deeper question: was he truly living with God, or simply trying to perform for Him? That moment became the catalyst for a lifelong journey of discipleship and surrender. The conversation traces Jake's path from California to Northern Uganda, where he and his wife spent more than five years serving in communities affected by civil war, displacement, and poverty. What began as a short-term commitment turned into years of sports ministry, prison outreach, refugee support, and mentoring young people. Jake shares remarkable stories of God moving through simple acts of obedience—including prison soccer matches that led to inmates encountering Jesus—and reflects candidly on the challenges of missionary life, spiritual exhaustion, culture shock, marriage strain, and rebuilding identity after returning home. Together, Tim and Jake explore themes of servant leadership, integrity, trust, humility, mentorship, and stewardship. They unpack why relationships—not just resources—are often the key to lasting transformation and why learning dependence on God is one of the greatest lessons the mission field can teach. At its core, this episode is about faithful presence: showing up while trusting God and allowing Him to work through ordinary obedience in extraordinary ways. Whether you're involved in missions, business, leadership, mentoring, or simply navigating your own calling, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to keep following forward. Enjoy. 🔑 KEY THEMES Living with God instead of simply performing for Him Mission, discipleship, and sports ministry in Uganda Leadership through humility, integrity, and stewardship The importance of mentorship and relational investment Lessons learned through hardship and dependence on God Cross-cultural mission and navigating spiritual warfare 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Jake Turabasi is a mentor, leader, and former missionary passionate about discipleship, sport, and empowering young people. Originally from California, Jake spent more than five years serving in Northern Uganda through prison ministry, refugee outreach, and sports-based mission work. Today he continues to invest in mentorship and leadership development while carrying a deep passion for Africa and the next generation. 👤 ABOUT THE HOST Tim Tucker is an author, theologian, and leadership mentor with a PhD in Theology. Originally from the UK and now based in Cape Town, he works with The Message Trust across Africa and beyond. He is the author of Grab a Towel, Grief and Grace, and Finding Life After Death, and hosts the Follow Forward Podcast. 🎙️ ABOUT FOLLOW FORWARD Follow Forward is a Christ-centred leadership podcast featuring real stories and global voices. Hosted by Tim Tucker and produced by The Message Trust, the podcast exists to inspire emerging leaders to follow Jesus faithfully and lead others with humility, courage, and purpose. 🔔 STAY CONNECTED: 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: Follow Forward Podcast 📩 Sign up for Tim's monthly newsletter: Grab a Towel Newsletter 🌍 Learn more about The Message Trust: The Message Trust 📢 SHARE THE EPISODE If this conversation encouraged you: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔁 Share with a leader or mentor ⭐ Leave a review on your podcast app
