As we continue our installment of the why of short-term mission trips, we have come to how it changes me! As I have traveled around the world leading groups, never has one person ever left the same person. I am not sure what it is about a mission trip that does this, especially since each trip is so different but the result is always the same -- seeing God work outside of your norms and cultural boundaries grows your faith in Christ in whole new ways. I will never forget my first trip through a slum and thinking how can I EVER complain. I will never forget little boys abandoned on the street because their mom couldn't afford to feed them anymore. I will never forget being in churches that were dying in a culture progressively moving away from a belief in Jesus. I will never forget seeing missionaries become refreshed, physically and spiritually. Something happens as I work and serve, I commune with Jesus in a way that I don't. Suddenly, all of my distractions are stripped away, and the core of what is true and important in life are standing in front of me.
Going on a mission trip is not easy. You sacrifice. Time, money, comforts, but the change that is wrought in your heart will never change.
We still need people to join us on the Peru Mission Trip on August 28th-September 6th. You won't regret serving the abandoned boys in Peru. Contact Mikkee at mikkee@westendcc.org for more information.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Encouragment Factor of a Short-term Team
The second piece in the "Why short-term missions" is about the long-term missionary.
Imagine for a moment that God called you to be on a mission field far from home. Most likely you are in a foreign country and culture, a language that is not your mother tongue. Everything is different and nothing feels quite like at home. You may be in the middle of the bush or the middle of busy city, but chances are you will feel more isolated and discouraged at times. The life of a long-term missionary is a special and beautiful calling, but I think that many Christians have the misperception that missionaries are some form of "super-Christians."
But life on the mission field can be so discouraging, so as a church partners with a missionary, they often look to do more than send a monthly check. They will partner in prayer and accountability, finding places, cars when they are home on leave, gift packages. There are many ways to love and support a missionary, but for a church one of the most effective ways to encourage a missionary is to send a team to visit them.
To have a team of friends and home church members make the time and effort and finances to go to another country to support them in ministry, goes great lengths in a missionary maintaining a healthy long-term ministry. This is one of reasons that WECC sends teams to other countries, always with missionaries we directly support. And to leave a trip after having the opportunity to encourage someone in ministry, you know you have joined God in his work around the Kingdom.
Imagine for a moment that God called you to be on a mission field far from home. Most likely you are in a foreign country and culture, a language that is not your mother tongue. Everything is different and nothing feels quite like at home. You may be in the middle of the bush or the middle of busy city, but chances are you will feel more isolated and discouraged at times. The life of a long-term missionary is a special and beautiful calling, but I think that many Christians have the misperception that missionaries are some form of "super-Christians."
But life on the mission field can be so discouraging, so as a church partners with a missionary, they often look to do more than send a monthly check. They will partner in prayer and accountability, finding places, cars when they are home on leave, gift packages. There are many ways to love and support a missionary, but for a church one of the most effective ways to encourage a missionary is to send a team to visit them.
To have a team of friends and home church members make the time and effort and finances to go to another country to support them in ministry, goes great lengths in a missionary maintaining a healthy long-term ministry. This is one of reasons that WECC sends teams to other countries, always with missionaries we directly support. And to leave a trip after having the opportunity to encourage someone in ministry, you know you have joined God in his work around the Kingdom.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Next Door
Each month, Hope For Nashville highlights one of our 9 ministries. So, as we go through the month of March, you will be seeing a lot about The Next Door. They are the newest Hope For Nashville partner, and their mission is to serve women coming out of crisis situations, most often incarceration. To hear the story of how this ministry was born gives me chills every time I hear it! A group of women began praying about the use of building downtown, and through a course of events, research and a lot of praying, the Next Door was born. I cannot think of anything more amazing than to see God birth a ministry through the prayers of His people. The Next Door has been honored by the White House through the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
About 5 months ago, I had the opportunity to begin volunteering at The Next Door. I was going to be a prayer partner to one of the women in their program. I was both excited and scared as I went to meet my prayer partner. My prayer partner is going to graduate in a month, and the past 6 months of getting to know her has blessed my life so much.
It was not easy, my life seems to be in a perpetual fast forward, but I have learned. I have learned more about boundaries, and what it really means to love someone. I have given. I have given of myself, and I have learned how to give more of my talents and time and resources to God. I have received. I have received far more than I gave. I have received the joy of a friendship and the blessing of simply being there.
Perhaps that is the most profound lesson that I have learned, I didn't feel like I had much to offer or give this woman, but what really mattered was to simply be there. To be there to listen, to hear the struggles and frustrations. To be there to encourage and to challenge. You can do this too. You can be a prayer partner or teach resume or job skills training, answer phones at their front desk. If you have limited time, you can be a prayer partner to a woman and simply just pray for them or you can send notes of encouragement.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Next Door, they will have a table set-up at WECC on March 15th in the lobby, or visit www.thenextdoor.org to learn more.
About 5 months ago, I had the opportunity to begin volunteering at The Next Door. I was going to be a prayer partner to one of the women in their program. I was both excited and scared as I went to meet my prayer partner. My prayer partner is going to graduate in a month, and the past 6 months of getting to know her has blessed my life so much.
It was not easy, my life seems to be in a perpetual fast forward, but I have learned. I have learned more about boundaries, and what it really means to love someone. I have given. I have given of myself, and I have learned how to give more of my talents and time and resources to God. I have received. I have received far more than I gave. I have received the joy of a friendship and the blessing of simply being there.
Perhaps that is the most profound lesson that I have learned, I didn't feel like I had much to offer or give this woman, but what really mattered was to simply be there. To be there to listen, to hear the struggles and frustrations. To be there to encourage and to challenge. You can do this too. You can be a prayer partner or teach resume or job skills training, answer phones at their front desk. If you have limited time, you can be a prayer partner to a woman and simply just pray for them or you can send notes of encouragement.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Next Door, they will have a table set-up at WECC on March 15th in the lobby, or visit www.thenextdoor.org to learn more.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Because Jesus Says So
"16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
As I begin this blog series, I am compelled to give you a few other thoughts...I have a love/hate relationship with short-term missions which might come as a surprise since, as a Missions Director, I plan and lead 3-4 short-term trips a year. Missions unequivocally changes lives - yours, mine, theirs - none are exempt. However, short-term trip, when executed well, are life-changing events, but they can also have damaging effects, a hurricane to a soul's house, and push people farther away from the Gospel. We have an obligation to plan, execute, and train ourselves well before we embark on any short-term trip.
As we look at the why of short-term trips, I want to first focus on the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. In verse 19 of Matthew 28, Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." This is a command, a statement, not a question or a plea.
When your life has been changed by a relationship with Jesus, the command has a different tone to it. I want to go - near and/or far - to share this amazing love that changes me. His love compels me out of my comfort zone. Looking back at verse 19, you see how Jesus' command leaves us room for creativity in the makeing of disciples. Each short-term trip can and should look so differently, based on the make-up of each team. The ways to share about Jesus are unbounded, music, arts, construction, etc. How do you feel called?
As I begin this blog series, I am compelled to give you a few other thoughts...I have a love/hate relationship with short-term missions which might come as a surprise since, as a Missions Director, I plan and lead 3-4 short-term trips a year. Missions unequivocally changes lives - yours, mine, theirs - none are exempt. However, short-term trip, when executed well, are life-changing events, but they can also have damaging effects, a hurricane to a soul's house, and push people farther away from the Gospel. We have an obligation to plan, execute, and train ourselves well before we embark on any short-term trip.
As we look at the why of short-term trips, I want to first focus on the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. In verse 19 of Matthew 28, Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." This is a command, a statement, not a question or a plea.
When your life has been changed by a relationship with Jesus, the command has a different tone to it. I want to go - near and/or far - to share this amazing love that changes me. His love compels me out of my comfort zone. Looking back at verse 19, you see how Jesus' command leaves us room for creativity in the makeing of disciples. Each short-term trip can and should look so differently, based on the make-up of each team. The ways to share about Jesus are unbounded, music, arts, construction, etc. How do you feel called?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Why of Short-term Missions - Part 1
Through the month of March, we are going to explore a question that is vital to examine in the world of missions. The all-important "why?" should not just be relegated to the 5 year olds in our life, but this simple 3-letter word helps us to understand and maintain the validity of things in our lives.
So, why should the Church - AND YOU - go on short-term trips? Asking this question will help to maintain the vision and focus of what God has called the Church to be. We will consider the Biblical command, the encouragement factor, how it changes the individual, and a WECC missionaries perspective on why short-term missions are vital to a church.
So, why should the Church - AND YOU - go on short-term trips? Asking this question will help to maintain the vision and focus of what God has called the Church to be. We will consider the Biblical command, the encouragement factor, how it changes the individual, and a WECC missionaries perspective on why short-term missions are vital to a church.
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