How To Take a Mission Trip by Jennifer Tiszai  

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

My husband and I went on a mission trip several weeks ago . . . to our dining room. As we had lunch with his father, we simply shared with him what Jesus has done in our lives. By sharing, we were obeying Jesus’ command to “Go” given in the above verse.

In the latter part of the verse, Jesus gives us the confidence that we won’t have to do this sharing alone. He will always be with us. I felt His presence keenly when we were sharing with my father-in-law. I continually prayed for Jesus to be with me and give me the words He knew I needed to speak to my father-in-law.

Many people think that when Jesus says, “Go” He will be sending them to the jungles or skid row. And for some people, God has placed a burning desire in their hearts to witness to those places. But for the rest of us, God calls us to go to our families, our neighbors, and our jobs.

Acts 1:8 says, “ . . . you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria , and to the ends of the earth.” These three places can be seen as rings extending out from us. Jerusalem represents those closest to us, our family and friends. Judea can be seen as our local area, OrangeCounty. Samaria represents a different culture, maybe making a mission trip to Mexico . And then there’s the end of the earth. Just because we aren’t called to go to the ends of the earth, doesn’t abdicate us of our responsibility to share with those closest to us.

How do you go on a mission trip? You get prepared. One great way to do this is through CLASS 401. It is a great place to learn how to share the story of how Jesus has worked in your life.

Secondly, you need to be open to the Holy Spirit and the opportunities that He puts in your way to share Christ with others. You don’t have to memorize whole books of the Bible. You don’t have to have the answer to every theological question. You just have to be “one beggar showing another where to find bread.”

Finally, remember Jesus has promised to be with you as you “go.” You won’t be doing it alone. Jesus knows the needs of the people you will talk with and He will guide you in meeting those needs.

Our missions ministry has monthly opportunities for you to go on missions trips as close as Mexico to as far as Asia and Peru . But don’t forget to witness in your Jerusalem. Ask God to show you people who need to hear. Be open to that gentle prodding of the Holy Spirit. And go on a mission trip . . .to your neighborhood.