Our Local Mission Trip

This summer our local church family had a brand new adventure. We went on a mission trip!

I had always dreamed of our church going on a mission trip to an exotic land where the inhabitants had never heard of Jesus. Or going to a nation that had just experienced a natural disaster where we could minister to practical needs as we shared the love of Jesus. 

"Right here in Sanford/Lake Mary?" I asked the planning team, a little disappointed. 

Then I thought about it. Our Jerusalem. Let's start by ministering to our Jerusalem. I was excited! And I sensed the  Lord was in this--all the way!

To my surprise 40 adults and young people took time off from work to participate in the four-day mission trip July 2017. Let me share with you what we did!

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Preparation & The Drama

To prepare, everyone participating in the mission trip had to go out witnessing with the evangelism team or on their own at least five times. (Our evangelism team goes out every Saturday morning.) We also had envisioning and equipping sessions once a month from February to July. 

Marla and Katie Beth prepared a drama that presented the Gospel beautifully and clearly. The teens and young adults in the drama practiced tirelessly to get everything perfect--timing, movement, motions, props. It was quite a production! Yet it was simple enough to perform in a local park. 

Each day of the mission trip, we started with worship and an equipping session from the Word. We ate lunch and dinner together at the church--a great time of fellowship. The afternoons were spend in evangelism at different parks in the city. We presented the drama at two different parks.

We had a block party in an economically-challenged neighborhood, partnering with a ministry that reaches out to the area. This was a blast! We had face-painting, games, basketball, and food. 

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Day by Day Sharing Christ

The purpose of the trip was to share Christ. God opened so many opportunities to share the Good News that Jesus has made a way to rescue people from their bondage to sin! 

Going out two-by-two, we talked to however would listen. Striking up a conversation with them, we turned it to Jesus, asking and answering questions. Some people rejected us, but most listened. 

The Lord allowed us to pray with many people to receive Christ! It was so exciting for those who led someone to the Lord! What a glorious privilege!

Sunday was baptisms and a big pool party after church. Everyone who participated was changed. Somehow, when we share the Good News, it reminds us how precious our Salvation is and we are filled with Joy that our names are written in the Book of Life! 

How about you? A Saturday afternoon, a Tuesday morning, or maybe a local mission trip? How can you reach the lost and tell them about a Savior who loves them enough to die for them? 

God bless you as you share the Good News, the glorious Gospel.

Love, 
Meredith Curtis

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