Culture & Attitude
19.11.08
Missions Made Me
Chezz - 30 August 2008
I think I was 17 when I embarked on my first overseas mission trip and I can honestly say that it changed my life. In fact in many ways it helped to make me the person I am today. Since then, I have had the privilege to lead numerous people, especially youth on oversees mission trips and I still firmly believe that it can change their lives forever. Here’s why:
1. It brings unity.
There is nothing like a common purpose and goal, especially when you are out of your usual environment, to bring people together. Young people need a cause and when they are untied in one you find that people become closer and often those who haven’t seen eye to eye before become the best of friends.
2. It brings faith.
Mission trips are the perfect opportunity to practice putting faith into action. We feel out of our depth and therefore have to rely on God and not our own abilities. Being in that environment cultivates an atmosphere of faith to believe for things you’ve maybe never believed for before.
3. It brings maturity.
Responsibility produces maturity and where better for this process to be put into practice than on a mission. When young people take on responsibility on a mission they start to look outside of themselves and grow up.
4. It brings adventure and excitement.
Young people are looking for adventure and this is guaranteed on a mission trip. Away from home and relying on God to come through for you is exciting as well as a little scary! It’s certainly an adventure!
5. It brings unique experiences.
My first mission’s trip threw me into situations that I’d never experienced before. I was surrounded by people who spoke little English and had to go and try and tell them about the love of Jesus! The first time I spoke to someone who didn’t know who Jesus was, I was completely blown away. And I will never forget it as long as I live.
6. It brings increase of passion.
Passion for Jesus and passion for people, both of which young people bring back from a mission. Living by faith and seeing God do amazing things brings them closer to Him and ignites a passion for more of Him in their lives. Seeing people’s lives changed by the power of God ignites a passion to see that in their everyday lives back home. You can’t beat it.
7. It brings a global viewpoint.
There’s something about being taken out of your own small world and experiencing someone else’s that gives you a much bigger perspective. Young people who experience a mission trip see the awesomeness of God and that He is doing amazing things all over the world.
8. It brings unselfishness.
A mission trip is not supposed to be luxurious – and the one’s I’ve experienced haven’t been! This allows a young person to not get too comfortable and actually ‘rough it’ a bit which doesn’t do anyone any harm. Putting down emotions and feelings, and experiencing life the way others live produces unselfishness in their lives.
Mission trips are invaluable in creating marker experiences in young people’s lives. Make it a priority in your church and especially in your youth ministry if you want to ignite a passion for God in peoples hearts.
Chezz is the Executive Pastor of Xcel Church. He and his wife, Louise, have four children Olivia, Max, Zak and Jackson.