Is it alright to not go on Mission Trips ?
Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 4:37 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
Q: My Youth Group goes on several overseas Mission Trips a year, is it bad that I don't want to go? I don't feel called to personally minister outside of my country. I do, however, know how God wants me to personally spread the Gospel within my own country and culture. One of my friends is really mad at me for never going on Mission Trips...any advice?
Ruth: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Woe to you, blind guides!"
(Matthew 23:15-16, NIV )
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
(Matthew 7:21-25, NIV)
God honors Godly character! So first and foremost, work on building your own personal relationship with the Lord (through reading His instruction manual for life--the Bible, praying / talking to God on a daily basis about whatever is going on in your life, and by everyday trying to live what you have learned in the Bible) and work on building Godly character in your life. One of the greatest ways to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ is through your daily living!
"Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit. A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Luke 6:39-42, NIV)
No! It's not bad that you don't want to go on Mission Trips. Actually, your reason for not wanting to go on Mission Trips is well articulated and shows that you actually take the concept of Mission Trips seriously and count them as being holy unto God. Good job!
<=== Sadly, some people have mistaken the phrase "Mission Trip" / "Ministry Trip" to mean "Let's get a free vacation using the tithe" and have lost the original holy intent of taking a Mission Trip / Ministry Trip.
It's alright to be excited about traveling to another country, it's alright to explore the country on your "off time", and it's alright to capture special memories in video and photographs.
But Mission Trips / Ministry Trips should be more than simply taking a guided tour, staring in a few skits, and passing out a few toys to kids so that you can "hurry up and enjoy your vacation"
God has given each person unique talents to help spread His Word through all of the Earth, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NIV)
Jesus commands, "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 am with you always, to the very end of the age."
(Matthew 28:18-20, NIV)
All Christians are called to minister in their everyday life. For some that means traveling to another country on a short-term or long-term Mission Trip. For others that means staying on the home front. Always take ministry seriously and always pray about what directions to take!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV)
Congrats for realizing God's calling on your life and don't feel bad if others try to make you feel guilty for not ministering outside of God's calling on your life. Be confident in the Lord!
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
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