If you have been connected to our church over the last year, you’ve undoubtedly heard the challenge for everyone to go on a mission trip. I love the challenge because mission trips have been transformational in my life and my family. Mission trips take me out of my comfort zone, force me to examine what I truly believe, help me see the beauty and diversity of humanity, and push me to depend fully on God.
Mission trips are rooted in the character and Word of God. Jesus partakes in the greatest mission trip ever as he leaves heaven to “seek and save the lost” on earth. Jesus was not only a living mission trip, but he also took his disciples on mission trips to equip and prepare them to take the gospel to all nations. I have listed a few examples below. As you read, put yourself in the disciples’ shoes and try to experience what they might have felt as they engaged in these trips:
- How did Jesus teach his disciples the importance of the gospel going to all nations, even to the Samaritans, who were hated by his Jewish disciples? Jesus takes them on a mission trip to Samaria and they stay for 2 days. Imagine the conversations! (John 4)
- How did Jesus teach his disciples to reach religious people with the gospel? Jesus takes them on a journey to all the synagogues in Galilee preaching the good news of the kingdom of God! (Mark 1:38-39)
- How did Jesus prepare his disciples for spiritual warfare? Jesus takes them to a man who is possessed with a legion of demons and shows them the power of God! (Luke 8:26-39)
- How did Jesus empower the disciples to become leaders of this movement of God? Once trained, Jesus sends them on a mission trip, but he doesn’t go with them! (Matthew 10)
Jesus knew that to reach the world with the good news He would have to equip and empower disciples who would make disciples and spread the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. As a church we want to follow the ways of Jesus and take people on mission trips, to equip and empower them to be disciples who make disciples. As I have lead mission trips over the years, I have seen four major benefits:
- Disciples are Trained and Equipped. Mission trips are a “greenhouse” for equipping. They provide hands-on experience, opportunities to share the Gospel and your testimony, press you to pray and depend on God, open your eyes to the God of all nations, and challenge you to demonstrate God's love in practical ways.
- The Gospel is Spread. Jesus had a mission to bring the message of salvation to all people. By sending out His disciples, He expanded the reach of His ministry to proclaim the Kingdom of God, announce His identity as the Messiah, and invite others to follow Him. This summer the gospel has been proclaimed in Murfreesboro, Memphis, Honduras, Slovenia, and Scotland…and it will continue to spread as these people who went on mission trips share the good news where they live, work, and play!
- A Disciple’s Character is Developed. Mission trips are challenging and our teams have learned to rely on God's guidance, develop greater faith, overcome obstacles, and grow in their understanding of God's heart for all people.
- Building Community and Unity. The mission trips allowed our teams to bond—to grow together in faith, support one another, and learn to work collaboratively. We’ve shared experiences, witnessed God move, faced opposition, and formed a tight-knit community that will become a catalyst for continued mission back home. Together is better!
Jesus also took time to listen to stories when the disciples returned from mission trips, to celebrate, and to respond in praise of God!
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field…The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. — Luke 10:1-2, 17-21
Our teams have returned with joy and have good news to share! Let’s follow the ways of Jesus by listening to their testimonies and celebrating God’s faithfulness!
- Click here to read a post-trip recap about each mission trip. And as you read these testimonies, celebrate and praise God!
- If you know someone who went on a mission trip, setup a time for coffee to listen and ask questions about how God worked in their life and through them on their trip. End the time with praise of God!
- Ask God to show you how to live on mission where you live, work, and play!