Rising Stars: Meet Bria Murray of Jonesboro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Murray.

Hi Bria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into global humanitarian work truly began when I was preparing to turn 21. At the time, I never imagined myself stepping into the work my mother had built through House of Dawn. I watched her pour everything into it — long hours, constant sacrifice, and years of hard work — and I honestly felt like it was too much responsibility to carry.

But everything changed when God gave me a vision about four months before my 21st birthday. In that moment, I knew I wasn’t just being called to continue the mission — I was being called to expand it. I remember telling my mother, “When I take over, I’m going to take this to another level… I’m going to take it global.” She looked at me surprised and said, “Do tell? I thought you didn’t want to take it over.” But I knew what I heard and what I felt in my spirit.

That December, for my 21st birthday, I took my very first mission trip to Jamaica. Africa was always the long-term dream, but Jamaica had always been one of my favorite places, and I wanted to start serving immediately. During that trip, we partnered with a women’s clinic serving mothers and children, and that experience became the spark that confirmed I was walking in purpose.

A few years later, that vision led me to Ghana, where I completed my first mission trip to Africa — and it changed my life. Since then, I’ve been blessed to return and serve in multiple countries including Jamaica, Ghana, Belize, and the Bahamas, building relationships and creating mission experiences centered around compassion, impact, and faith.

As my journey grew, more and more people began asking me, “How can I come with you?” That’s when I created mission retreats — experiences designed for people who have a heart to give, but also need a space to be poured into.

What makes these retreats special is that everything is intentionally planned — from lodging and transportation to meals, mission projects, and cultural experiences. I want people to experience a country beyond what they’ve seen online. I incorporate cultural immersion through cooking classes, local markets, traditional foods, and meaningful excursions, while also ensuring every guest feels safe, cared for, and welcomed.

The heart behind it all is simple: when you are constantly pouring into others, you also need space to refill your own cup. My retreats are designed to allow people to do the Lord’s work while also being restored — mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. It’s mission, purpose, and transformation all in one.

And that’s the journey that brought me to where I am today — walking out the vision God gave me, and building a global mission movement that continues to grow year after year.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned that purpose rarely comes without pressure. One of the biggest struggles I faced was realizing that when you truly accept an assignment from God and start walking fully in your purpose, it often comes with seasons of isolation.

There were times when I felt like I no longer fit into the environments I once felt comfortable in. Friendships shifted, priorities changed, and spaces that used to feel fun or normal started to feel out of alignment. It wasn’t always easy, but I began to understand that God was separating me so He could build me. Growth required change, and change required letting go.

Another major challenge was learning how to depend on God completely — not just in theory, but in real life. I went through heavy personal seasons while still trying to stay committed to my calling. I dealt with my father battling cancer and my mother being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and at times I found myself stepping into caregiving roles while still trying to lead, serve, and keep moving forward. Those moments were emotionally draining and, honestly, very lonely.

I also faced major personal financial struggles along the way. There was a season where I experienced a significant loss of income and had to make difficult decisions that humbled me. I had to give up my place, let go of stability as I knew it, and truly allow God to work in my life in a deeper way. That season forced me to surrender everything — my plans, my comfort, and even my sense of security.

On top of that, I had to learn what obedience truly looks like. There were times when God required me to walk away from certain jobs and opportunities that looked good on paper, but weren’t aligned with where He was taking me. That wasn’t easy, because walking away meant stepping into uncertainty and trusting God without having all the answers. But I chose to obey anyway, even when it didn’t make sense, because I knew that purpose requires faith — and faith requires surrender.

There were also moments of doubt. When you’re building something meaningful — especially something faith-led — you will have moments where you ask yourself, “Am I really doing what I’m supposed to be doing?” Mission projects don’t always go perfectly, and retreats can be overwhelming to plan. Sometimes you put your heart into creating something beautiful and meaningful, and it feels like nothing is happening at first.

I remember moments where I was preparing for a retreat and thinking, “God, I know this is what You told me to do… but no one is signing up.” And then, almost every time, I would watch Him move at the last minute — filling the trip, providing the resources, and confirming the vision in ways I couldn’t deny. Those moments reminded me that the assignment is real, even when the process feels heavy.

The journey has taught me that purpose requires trust. I’ve learned to hold on to the promise and the vision God gave me, even when things don’t unfold the way I expected. It can get overwhelming, but I’ve seen too many confirmations and too much provision to ever believe I’m walking alone.

Looking back, I realize the struggle wasn’t meant to stop me — it was meant to shape me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the heart of everything I do is purpose-driven service. I serve as the Director of Programs and Global Ambassador for House of Dawn, where I help lead and expand our mission of providing housing stability, community outreach, and global humanitarian impact. Our organization focuses on affordable housing for mothers and children, workforce housing for individuals who need a second chance, and mission-based programs that serve communities both locally and internationally.

I specialize in program development, global outreach, and creating mission experiences that are intentional, organized, and transformational. I’m known for taking vision and turning it into a real, structured experience — whether that’s building community partnerships, coordinating mission projects overseas, or developing retreat-style mission trips that allow people to serve while also being restored.

One of the areas I’m most passionate about is creating global mission retreats that feel both impactful and elevated. Many people want to do mission work but don’t know where to start, don’t feel safe traveling alone, or feel overwhelmed by planning. I’ve created an experience where everything is thoughtfully arranged — from lodging, transportation, meals, and cultural immersion, to the mission assignments themselves. My goal is to make global service accessible for people who have a heart to give but need guidance and structure.

What I’m most proud of is the fact that the work we do is not just inspiring — it’s tangible. We are helping people secure safe housing, rebuild their lives, and regain stability, while also creating international mission projects that bring real support to communities in need. Seeing lives changed — whether it’s a person who finally has a safe place to live, or a volunteer who comes on a retreat and walks away transformed — is what keeps me going.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just plan trips or organize outreach events — I create experiences that are spiritually grounded, culturally meaningful, and strategically executed. I combine faith, excellence, structure, and hospitality in a way that makes people feel safe, supported, and inspired. I’m very hands-on, detail-oriented, and intentional about making sure the mission work is done with integrity while also ensuring the people serving are poured back into.

At the end of the day, I’m known for building something that goes beyond travel. It’s purpose in action. It’s service with intention. And it’s creating a global impact while helping people discover who they are and what they’re called to do.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I believe mentorship and networking are extremely important, but I also believe the right connections come through alignment and timing. For me, mentorship has always been deeply connected to how God leads my life. I’ve learned that when you’re walking in purpose, God will place the right people in your path—often before you even realize what you need.

I’ve been blessed because my mother has been a mentor to me my entire life. She has been in nonprofit and community work for years, and I’ve been able to learn from her example firsthand. But as my journey expanded into global work and God began taking me into spaces my mother hadn’t yet explored, I began meeting new mentors along the way.

For example, when I first started traveling to Ghana, it was one of my aunts who introduced me to the country, guided me, and helped open doors for me. She showed me how to move with wisdom, confidence, and purpose in an unfamiliar place. That experience taught me that mentorship doesn’t always come in the way you expect—it can come through family, relationships, and people God assigns to you for a specific season.

More recently, I met someone I now consider a spiritual mother. I didn’t plan to meet her at all—we crossed paths at an event, and she immediately pulled me aside and began speaking into my life. I could tell right away that she was someone God placed in my path to help elevate me and prepare me for the next level.

One thing I’ve learned is that mentorship matters because you truly don’t know what you don’t know. The right mentor will not only guide you with knowledge and experience, but they’ll also speak life into you during seasons when you feel uncertain. One of the most impactful things I was told early on, when I was afraid to step into higher levels of travel and leadership, was: “Either you’re going to stay on the ground with the chickens, or you’re going to soar like an eagle.” That stayed with me, and it still pushes me today.

My advice for networking is to show up in rooms that align with where you’re headed, not just where you currently are. Attend events, serve, volunteer, introduce yourself, and don’t be afraid to speak about your vision. The right people will recognize it. And most importantly, be open—because sometimes the mentor you need won’t come through a formal program. Sometimes it’s simply someone God places in your life at the exact moment you need them.

Pricing:

• Jamaica Mission Retreat Starting at $2800
• Ghana Mission Retreat Starting at $3000
• Mission Donations (any)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahumanitarianoverseas
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bria.murray.35/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bria-murray-42b173293/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ahumanitarianoverseas
• Other: https://ahumanitarianoverseas.my.canva.site/hodmissionretreats2026