There is no greater challenge nor is there any greater honor than to tell the wondrous story of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to people who have never heard this Good News. "...for God so loved the peoples of the world..." (JOHN 3:16 Author's paraphrase). Yes, the people of the world are longing to hear of the Father's amazing love for them and Jesus has left us an equally amazing challenge and responsibility to tell them. "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (MARK 16:15 NKJV). This last command wasn't issued to the "super" Christian or "saint" alone. It is His final words to every believer - of every personality type, of every socio-economic background, of every race and color - and He didn't place age restrictions on it either! There is a longing in every person to be a part of something bigger than themselves. And there is nothing like sharing the love of Jesus and seeing people then encounter this One who is the Living God! Being part of such a divine initiative enables us to share in the positive change of individuals and families, but as the Gospel multiplies in a people group entire nations and cultures can literally be discipled and thus transformed! But, first things first - a simple mission's trip can radically transform your life forever! In a few days' time, the sights you see, the foods you eat, the roads you drive on and especially the people you meet have the power to shake you out of your typically self-centered world and allow you to see people as God sees them - in great need physically, emotionally, financially and most importantly, spiritually lost and in need of the Savior! Over the years, we've camped, stayed in youth hostels, church basements (and attics), hotels, and at friend's homes (and at times, strangers homes). We've slept in cars and we've spent the night at the occasional airport or train terminal. We've lost luggage, lost sleep, blown up a borrowed van's engine, missed trains, eaten really "iffy" things, eaten too much, and skipped meals. We've seen miracles of healing and protection in Jesus' name, served food to Muslim refugees in Jesus' stead, cried and laughed with dear Christian brothers and sisters when we couldn't communicate any other way. We've made lifelong friends with some wonderful believers who are now nation changers for Christ. We've lost dear friends and mentors who are now in the presence of the Lord (but we'll see again on that great Day). In Eastern Europe we've seen a team leader hauled off in a communist police wagon on a dark and rainy night, had an evangelistic team board communist army buses to pass out Gospel literature, and in South America maneuvered a youth group safely through communist riots. Together we've trusted God for healings, provisions and opportunities to obey Jesus' last command to believe with Him for "souls from every nation"! On some level you can see we're "writing" as it were, our own chapter in the book of Acts (and who knows, someday it may be read as we gather around the Throne and recount the wonderful acts of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives). And we hope you'll join us in writing your own chapter in the ongoing book of Acts! As you already know, it's one thing to be inspired but it is a completely different thing to take that inspiration and transform it into action. Most often it is one person who gets out of a rut and simply says, "Why not? Why don't we go do such and such for Jesus?" They've turned that initial excitement into something with direction and purpose. As they share their vision with friends, others will naturally begin themselves to become excited and catch a vision for Christ. But many may then say, "Okay, so now that we've got this great idea, how do we practically turn our dream of a mission's trip into reality?" The following chapters will help answer many of those questions. The bottom-line though is simply this, "Pray and obey!"
About the Author: Mark D. Spencer BA.; MBS.; Th.D. With over forty years of ministry experience as a pastor, teacher and international speaker, Mark's ministry style is unpretentious, under authority and anointed. He speaks with a candor and confidence that comes from a close walk with God and a desire to follow Jesus whole-heartedly. He pastors in Colorado with his wife, Patty.