Go West

Traveling

At the time of the writing of this blog, we are preparing to leave for the mission trip to Utah that our association has been participating in for the last few years. When you read this post we will be on the last leg of our journey home from the trip. Of course, I don’t know the future so I can’t tell you how it has gone, but I can give some insight on what we hope for the trip.

When it comes to traveling there is a wide spectrum of attitudes that people have. I know some people who never travel. They are content to stay home and enjoy their familiar surroundings. I also know many people who want to go places but who usually have some complaints about the actual travel. Then there are people like me. I like to travel. I like not only the destination but the journey. It is exciting to see new places and experience something outside the daily rhythm.

I must admit that I especially love the western United States. I love the weather, culture, and people. However, I think it is important to point out that this trip is not a vacation or a tourist adventure but a mission to be an aid and encouragement to our brothers and sisters from Sojourn Church in West Haven, Utah.

The Purpose

The plan is to conduct basketball camps in the mornings where we will also be able to give instruction about the gospel from the Scripture through Bible stories and examples of real life applications through personal testimonies. We have found that these basketball camps also give us opportunities to engage with the parents and families, helping to build connections with the church.

We are also going to be doing evangelism on some college campuses. Lord willing, this will provide for us to have many gospel conversions which the Lord will use for the advancement of His kingdom and the saving of many souls. I must admit that I am excited about this part of the trip. In years past, we have also had many opportunities to share Christ that have arisen providentially with our planning.

The Partnership

I mentioned earlier that we are partnering with Sojourn Church. One of the important aspects necessary for the flourishing of gospel work is the enduring presence in the community. Paul writes his letter to Titus so that churches can be established and ordered rightly (Titus 1:3-4).  Short term trips must and should serve for the encouragement and strengthening of churches in places for the long term advance of the gospel work. Most of the New Testament is the Apostles communicating with local churches for their betterment and gospel advancement. The heart of all biblical missions is the birth and building of healthy and vibrant local churches.

The Passion

As believers, the Lord places within us a passion to serve God and others. Often, believers want to know what their spiritual gift is. I think that this desire to know exactly what our gift is stems from a notion that if we are using our spiritual gift then it will be enjoyable and successful. However, that is certainly not true. Even the Apostles, while doing exactly what they were prepared and gifted to do, suffered many trials and hardships. 

I think that we would be better served to focus on what God has given us a desire to do (1 Timothy 3:1). What is it that we love and enjoy? That is the thing that we ought to be doing. Also what need is something that is continually on your mind and heart? That is probably where you should be focusing your energy for the kingdom of Christ. 

I say all of this about desire because while I have been on other missions trips and served the Lord in a variety of ways over the years, it is this work not just in Utah but with the western people and the Mormon people that I have a desire to do. It is a passion, and I am excited to do it. The Lord has also used this to encourage my passion for my local church at home. It is amazing how the Lord will fill us with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8) when the focus becomes Christ and His kingdom and not ourselves (Matthew 5:33).

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