“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finsihed the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip, here is my story. I don’t think there’s ever been any more of a verse that’s influenced my life than this one, except for Luke 9:23. When I came to Christ at the age of 17, it was this verse that was the theme of the whole week at a camp I went to called Mission Fuge. There I was trainwrecked by God’s love for me and for others, especially how we as Christians are to display His love through us.
Being called to the mission field was a very specific process for me, one that started with coming home with a new purpose in life. As I started finishing high school I became very interested in missions, especially those who were suffering for the same faith we have without much pain here in the States. I picked up “Jesus Freaks” by D.C. Talk, and instead of being discouraged I became encouraged. What was it about these people that made them “leave it all behind” and savor Christ only? One country that was heavily influencing me was China. I had started to randomnly pick up books, read articles that would be on stands of the Asian culture and the persecuted church.
When I went off to college my campus minister was a huge influence to many students and made our BSU a very missions focused ministry. There were countless mission trips during Christmas and Spring Break. I remember watching a video of one of my favorite bands, Jars of Clay, as they went to various countries in Asia talking to pastors of persecuted churches and those who were suffering as ordinary people. Again, encouragement poured making, in some ways envious that these people were being stretched beyond reason to something I only desired more. My sophomore year in college I was watching the same video with my college roomate because he wanted to see it, and in the middle of watching it I told him, “Someday, I don’ know when, where, how, anything, I’m going to China.” In all of God’s provisional way, three days later during a worship service called “Oasis” for our BSU at Campbellsville University, they showed a video clip of China and a possible mission opportunity during Christmas break to go there through the IMB. I felt in my heart and the still small voice of the Lord for me to go. I thought, “How crazy?! It’s three months away and to raise that funds in a short time is crazy.” But I’ve never been tried by God like this before. He’s prepared me spiritually and the money was completely raised to the penny.
During my time in China God did some incredible things as we got to work hands on with the persecuted church, started two new ones, sharing the Gospel with the Christmas story as a tool, and seeing many Chinese come to Christ. I know some people may not “feel called” but I hope they know that if it wasn’t for their generous giving many of them would have never known the taste of God’s love and goodness. I came back new, a different worldview, and a more eagerness and passion for missions. I truly believe God’s calling in my life has always been in steps. That’s not always been easy and was never promised, but it’s truly rewarding.
My heart has grown for a love of worship and missions and it’s true in the words of John Piper “Worship exists because of missions, and missions exists because there’s no worship.” I was able to go again in 2004 to China again, this time leading a team back. I knew that I would go again, I knew in my heart God would call me and He was able to put a team together that worked so well together, and I was thankful to be able to share a bit of the culture with them that culture shock wouldn’t be an issue. We saw many new believers come to Christ, especially on Christmas night. It was the greatest Christmas I have ever had, being able to share the gospel and lead new Chinese believers to Christ knowing I’ll see them in heaven again. I have done many other service and mission opportunities domestically too. We cannot worship a God with our lips and deny him by ignoring the lost, poor, and sick.
When I came back I was approached about going Journeyman for two years but I felt the call to seminary first and to finish my education, but since then my heart for missions and the poor has grown increasingly more. I go to bed thinking it, and I wake up burning for it. It was a couple of months ago (after finishing seminary, and then coming back to Lexington) that I was sharing my heart with a friend. I told her that I have such a huge heart for missions and worship and I know it’s vague to say but that’s where it’s at and I’m just keeping the faith that God provides the steps necessary.
It was then she mentioed “The World Race”. I had told her that I am called to missions, but as far as where, how long, and when I’ll leave is in the air. “The World Race” was pretty much a God moment when she suggested it and it would answer many of those questions. I have counseled many people, especially fellow ministers that I trust and mentor under, they’ve all told me to go. It was a heart wrenching few weeks and was not a decision made raitionally. Many people have been supportive and told me that if I’m called the money would be there, and I do trust it. It wasn’t until a few weeks after I heard of it that I was on my knees at night praying and the Lord spoke to me saying “This is what I’ve called you for.” it isn’t about the countries, or “experience” but it’s about His call and the needs of those we’ll meet. It doesn’t answer the call of going, the needs out there to be met, and it doesn’t answer whether we should support or not, but it does answer the questions I’ve wrestled with. I cannot deny it, I am called and I leave it to the Lord during this time. Many people have already told me that I am “their missionary” or that “I should be one” so why am I not gone?
I ask more than anything, that during the next few months of preparing and while I’m away that your heart will grow more fond of God and Christ’s love everyday for all nations and people. I also ask, that you would pray. We all aren’t called to specific places, but we are already commanded under The Great Commission to share the gospel and to support the gospel.
My life is nothing without Christ, and with Him I have one task in life. In the words of Jon Weece, pastor at Southland Christian Church, “I just want to bring as many people to heaven as I can.”
