Accept the Challenge

When I became the pastor of this church six years ago, I asked several church members what they hoped for the church in the years to come. Many said they wanted this church to be a mission-led church. By that they meant that they wanted the life, the work, the money of this church to revolve around our missions ministries. I could not agree with them more.

That is why in our last two strategic plans missions has been one of our top priorities. I have to say, we are not there yet, but because of the work of many of our lay people, we are well on our way to making that a reality. What will make it happen is you - each of you - taking the challenge of being in mission through the work of this church.

The past few weeks, several of our church family members have gone on mission trips sponsored by our church. One group went to drill a water well in a poor community in Nicaragua and the other went to build a house in the desert of Juarez, Mexico. I asked some of them to share their trips with you through this email. Three things rang out loud and clear from their responses:

1. Mission is about relationships.
Skip Hirvela, who led the trip to Nicaragua, said the smiles of the people will be what will stick with him for a long time.

Alex Carter, on the same trip, said, “It was amazing to watch all the children play in the flowing water (from the well). It reminded me of when I was a kid and played with my neighborhood friends in our sprinklers.”

Going on a mission trip reminds us that, in all the ways we try to divide ourselves from one another, by borders, language and/or culture, we learn that as Alex said, “There are many more similarities than there are differences between people in different locations.” It is in these relationships that peace will come to the world. Empathy that comes from connecting yourself to someone else, like Alex seeing himself in the children playing in the water, is what builds love and the Kingdom of God.

2. God calls us to be in mission – even in places that are difficult.
Trevor Castilla, leader of the Juarez trip, said, “During the planning of this trip and up to the time we departed the church parking lot, I felt that it was an uphill battle. We started with 20 people interested in going. The numbers went south as the information about the drug cartels started spreading. Then we get news about the swine flu! We get (our cars) loaded in the church parking lot to go to the airport, and the car battery is dead. Is someone trying to tell me something and I’m just too slow to pick up on it? As we get settled in (at Proyecto Abrigo in Juarez) and listen to Jose Luis talk about the challenges in the area, I was reminded why we were persistent in making this trip happen.” Trevor goes on to say, “If you are looking for excuses not to go on a mission trip, you’ll find them every time.”
I have found there is always a force trying to stop love from happening. I asked Skip and Trevor, knowing the instability of the countries they were going to, if they thought the church made the right decision to sponsor the trips?
Skip said, “Absolutely. At no time did I feel uncomfortable or threatened. and I even had my daughter, Carly, with me! Pappa bear is very protective of his young!”

Trevor also talked about the youngest person on their trip. “During our final day, Blake Burton (10) wasn’t ready to go home and wanted to stay longer. He didn’t miss his worldly possessions, toys, games and comforts in McKinney, but saw first hand the impact that a few people can make on a family.”
How amazing it is when love takes us over, especially against the greatest odds.

3. You have been challenged.
Skip said, “After four years and four trips, each one is a blessing. I put these trips right behind the birth of my children; The pure wonder and joy of God’s miracles. You have to go through it to really understand it. God wants us to give. He returns so much more than you give, especially when it is so far from home and your comfort zone. Everyone should take that step of faith. He will not let you down.”

And from Trevor, “Accept the challenge and look for reasons to share your faith. Stop watching from the sideline and get in the game. Have faith. Do acts of kindness for someone else. James 2:26: ‘As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.’”
I could not have said it better. I hope you will thank these guys for sharing their trips with us and ask them how you can get involved in the mission work here at Stonebridge United Methodist Church.

Grace and peace,

John Mollet