Why Go On A Missions Trip?

I love mission trips. They give people the opportunity to make a huge impact on their world, and they also give the world the opportunity to impact the people that go on them. Some of the most memorable, and formative, moments of my life have been on a mission trips. (You can read about one of these moments in a post I wrote entitled “A Moment That Changed My Life“.)

Photo courtesy of © flickr.com/photos/kelsiedipernaphotography/3799298365

There are just so many reasons for people to go on a short term mission trip.  Mission trips allow people the opportunity to…

Do Something Significant

Mission trips allow people the chance to help build churches, help with evangeslitic outreaches, serve the needy, and so much more. I have helped missionaries fix their computers on a missions trip, held school assemblies, cleaned up street graffiti, played soccer with village kids, raised awareness for an organization that fights human trafficking, among many other things. The most significant thing about a mission trip, is that it you get to work alongside a missionary to help them fulfill the vision that God gave them for the people they are serving.

Learn About Others

You learn about your world on a missions trip. You learn about other cultures, customs, and people. If you want to have your world enlarged just go on missions trip to the jungles of Peru or to the city of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. You’ll see your world, and your faith, in a whole new light.

Learn About Yourself

You learn a lot about yourself on a missions trip, and find out what you are really made of. You find out if you really have a servants heart. You find out if you have a good work ethic. You find out how much you really care about other people.  You find out how deep your faith is.  And, when you know more about yourself, it gives you the opportunity to grow to new levels.

Fulfill the Great Commission

Jesus said to go and make disciples. On a short-term missions trip you may lead someone to Christ, encourage them to get involved in a local church, or teach a class that encourages them in their faith. You may have the chance to build them a church to meet in, or a Bible school to be taught in. On a short term trip you get the chance to be a part of someones walk with Christ.

Personally, I think everyone should make an effort to be a part of a missions team at some point. There are lots of great opportunities coming up to join a Calvary missions trip. Let me highlight one. In September 2012 we will be going to South Africa to do both construction and some evangelistic outreach. For the construction we need people of all skill levels (you’re welcome to come even if you have never picked up a hammer before in your life), but especially are in need of some skilled plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. For the evangelistic outreaches we simply need people who are passionate about reaching the lost. If you haven’t been on a missions trip before this would be the perfect one to join.

Will you join us in 2012? If you are interested, you can contact me at jbooth@lynnfield-ccc.org, or just come out to our first team meeting on September 18th @ 12:00 PM at the church.