What does being a missionary mean?
I know that was something I was asking myself only months ago. Personally, I have gone on a mission trip before to intercity Milwaukee, WI. On this trip our main focus was serving in different areas around the community and going in-depth in teaching sessions on different parts of the Bible. I have talked with countless others that have gone on mission trips. Whether throughout our country or across the world. They had the chance to serve, build homes, love on children, pray with people on the streets, and experience different cultures. I’ve had the chance to talk with missionaries. Hearing their heart and passion for people and wanting to share with those they encounter the life they have found in Jesus Christ.
When I thought of the word missionary, I used to think that meant preaching to hundreds, thousands of people. Evangelizing in the streets with everyone you meet. I remember telling a friend once, that my dream job would be to travel to other countries around the world; immersing myself in their culture, wanting to learn and share life with them. Then she told me, “Leah, that’s what it means to be a missionary.”� Interesting. I never really thought of that.
This summer I was able to experience and see what being missionary can be. It can be going on a missions trip with your church, being called halfway across the world to share the gospel, or even ministering and loving those in your own backyard. Throughout the summer I was able to experience mission teams, communities, and people from all walks of life work together as missionaries for Christ in the state of Alaska.
Working with Thirst, I helped lead teams anywhere from 10-30 participants. Each team having their own story, strengths and weaknesses, passions, and an array of participants (from youth groups to fellow church congregants).
Many of our youth groups came up and wanted to serve children. Putting on a VBS (Vacation Bible School) or running a day long Adventure Day Camp. Both the youth and adults, were able to minister to these children by sharing Jesus with them in many different ways. Through teaching, playing, crafts and by just being present. We saw that being present and sharing love spoke volumes to these children. Many of the children we ministered to came from broken homes. Experiencing more heartache and trauma than any child should have to go through. For these children, being able to feel genuine love towards them was life changing. What an impact a week made, both in our mission teams lives and the children they loved on.
Not only did we see the power of God’s love when we did ministry with children, but all throughout our interactions with others. From doing outreach on street corners as we handed out free coffee and donuts to chatting about life with those we ran into at the store, on a bike ride, or in a horse stable. We had a team that was very gifted in service, blessing a Cowboy church and a camp called Little Beaver. They cleaned, brush cleared, built a stairway and bridge, and painted. God used many moments, planned and unplanned, for His love and grace to be shown to those living in Alaska.
With some of our adult teams that came up, they did ministry that involved working with other adults. We had one team put on a women’s conference and another team worked with a Christian based addiction recovery center, called the Dream Center. Through these ministries, we were able to see many women and men be renewed in their faith, freed from past addictions, and hopeful for the future ahead. Both our mission team participants and those they were ministering to were able to walk together in each other’s brokenness, helping lift each other up. Many tears were shed and hearts healed. There is no way such transformation can be experienced in a week without the life giver Himself, our Father.
The God that mission teams, my fellow staff and I, and church partners shared this summer, moved and breathed life. Our Father, Creator, Jesus, Savior, Holy Spirit, Advocate, came. This summer was God’s summer. We came to share the love of God with others, in numerous ways; through our strengths and weaknesses, comfort and uncomfortableness, gifts, passions, being in community, sharing our stories, and being broken together. Knowing that the God we serve fills our cracks of insecurities, shame, guilt, thoughts of unworthiness, to make us whole and complete in His Freedom.
Luke 1:78-79
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Looking back at my summer in Alaska and working with a mission organization, I had no idea what to expect. I knew that I would help lead mission teams in their different ministries of outreach, service, prayer, and more. But I didn’t know the impact it would have on me. God strengthened me when I was exhausted, gave me peace when ‘my plans’ didn’t work out, and provided crazy amounts of energy and joy in times when I know I wouldn’t be otherwise!
We asked each of our teams at the end of their week, what their biggest highlight or takeaway was from the week. When asking myself this question and looking at the summer, I would have to say for me it was finally understanding what it means to trust FULLY in God. There are many times in my life where I would say that I fully trusted in Him, but deep down I knew I still had control. Partway through the summer, when I was leading a team, I came to a point when my plans were not working out the way I thought. I felt God saying to me in my time of panic mode, “Do you trust me?”I felt a little hesitant in my yes, but I said yes. From then on there were many times, as I found comes when working in ministry, that my plans did not work out. But I knew deep down that God specifically placed the mission teams that came, the ministries we partnered with and the people we encountered. So when I came to that understanding time after time, I felt a sense of peace. Knowing that this was God’s summer and that all that was going to happen He would make work for His plan. I have never felt so willing and sure before in my trust in Him.
I know that I am continually growing and learning, but I am excited to continue to be a missionary for Christ as I embark on the World Race!
John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”� (Thirst Missions)
