Why Go on a Missions Trip?
Why Go on a Mission's Trip?
Have you ever been on a mission’s trip? If so, then you know the similar feelings I’m going to be describing today. If not, then why haven’t you? Go on a trip! I promise you, it will change your life. Time, money, resources, age, fear, whatever excuses you may have, don’t let anything prohibit you from doing the work of God, on both foreign soil and on your home turf.
There are many reasons why you should consider going on a mission’s trip, but today I’m only going to mention my top 3:
1. It will get you out of your comfort zone
The time I spent last year in Nicaragua, for myself and for the entire team, brought such refreshment and perspective. Being outside your own bubble, away from your familiar surroundings, pushes you outside of your comfort zone. It tests your faith in ways that maybe it’s never been tested before. But it also brings new purpose to your life and to those around you! Seeing men, women, and children give their lives to Jesus Christ will bring you more joy and fulfillment than anything else this life could ever give.
God’s goodness and His will extends much further than inside our boundaries of comfort, but we have to be willing to change, try new things, and reach beyond our comfort in order for His will to become reality in our midst. God can use you in ways you never thought possible! The key? Making yourself available. When you actually let God lead you to where He wants you to go and what He wants you to do, don’t be surprised when you end up in unfamiliar territory. It’ll take you further than you’ve ever imagined.
2. It will open your eyes to cultures in other parts of the world
Not only will going on a mission’s trip grow you spiritually, but it will also grow you in many other ways. Many countries around the world are not as privileged as the United States with the freedoms, liberties, prosperity, and many other blessings that God has blessed our nation with. Visiting those other places will definitely open your eyes to appreciate what’s right in front of you. It’s a beautiful experience to meet new people who are proud of their culture and heritage that is different from yours. They are so excited to show you their world and for you to experience something that they think is very meaningful and special. You begin to see that people all over the world are probably more alike than you think. Everyone wants to be seen, heard, loved, and given purpose.
One of my favorite parts of each trip that I have been on is meeting the leaders of the ministry teams who are native to that country. Obviously it’s great meeting missionaries and other people who are serving that ministry or country, but it’s extra special to meet the people who are from that country and believe in serving this same ministry. I love hearing their stories, where they are from and how they came to connect with this ministry. They have such a passion for their nation to be saved and to hear the Gospel; it’s inspiring! These people will probably impact your world in bigger ways than you will impact theirs.
Being on a mission’s trip will also require you to put yourself in a new place where you won’t have the same comforts you are used to: such as cell service, private bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. I will always encourage teenagers that every one of them should go on a mission’s trip if they can! It will make them better equipped spiritually and will allow them to focus on other people more than themselves (something that’s hard for everyone, but especially for teens). You’re there to serve these people and to serve God, not yourself. Sometimes we all need a taste of that humility.
3. It will make you more passionate about your assignment (at home or to the missions field)
In Nicaragua throughout the cities of Managua and Leon, we were empowered to do ministry in ‘programs’ for children on the streets throughout the communities, and we also were able to minister in church services in the city of Leon. It was an amazing experience! However, when I came home I realized, not only have we been empowered to do ministry throughout another nation, but also we have been empowered for ministry right here in Spring Hill, FL. The Holy Spirit brings empowerment for ministry that is to be used for so much more than when we are just at church. Our community needs Jesus just like the communities in another country needed Jesus!
As I’m sitting here at my desk, back in the States, I cannot help but be overwhelmed with joy at the memories we were able to create because of the faithfulness of God. But I am also more determined, now more than ever before, in my assignment here in Spring Hill. God has so much in store for us; I cannot even begin to describe the overflow of His presence that’s going to flood Hernando County, Florida, and beyond. Miracles are going to flow, and God wants to use you and I to make His will become reality.
Also, I’ve seen many people discover that they were called to the mission’s field while on a mission’s trip. Sometimes God will speak to you that a certain place or a certain form of outreach is where you truly found the most joy and purpose in your life. Now you’ve found exactly what God created you to do, and possibly where!
But regardless of whether you are called overseas or not, we are the ones who are the messengers to a lost world! How can people turn to Christ unless we will be led by the Spirit to speak about Him? He will lead us if we will just simply walk by faith. The world is yours! The harvest is ready; the fields are ripe for harvest!
So what’s holding you back? Is it comfort, fear, doubt, etc? Those things that seem to hold you back the most can disappear when you begin to walk by faith!
Romans 10:14-15, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”
- Pastor Meredith Hobbs
