Short Term Mission Trips. The Christian missionary has been an extension of the church for centuries. The Word of God tells us that every place put our feet, He has given it to us. We are the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, and the Word of God. Because of the anointing that rests upon the believer, when we walk into a place the atmosphere changes. How wonderful it is to go to another nation, to bring, love, hope and the Gospel.
It is easy to get caught up in our day to day problems and forget that though we go through trials in our own country, that there are many other people in other nations that are so much worse off than ourselves. Keep in mind you do not have to go to another country to do ministry. We start from where we are an move forward.
It takes the love of God, to want to leave the comfort of your familiar surroundings, to go to a country, where there is no air conditioning or cold water or modern bathroom facilities. If God has given you a burden for the nations, none of these things will matter to you.
Short Term Mission Trips
You are not limited because we serve a limitless God. He will move heaven and earth. God will work with your and for you if you have a desire to do a work for Him. He said if we asked, that he would give us the heathen for our inheritance. Psalms 2:8. God has charged to take this Gospel to the entire earth.
That means, beyond your city, beyond your state, and beyond your country. Acts 1:8 and when you go, you are not going alone but you take with your the Power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost. If what you desire, will bring glory to God’s name, He will do it! John 14:13.
Christ for the Nations is a wonderful ministry that is committed to taking the Gospel to the nations. Each year they sponsor youth group mission trips to anywhere from the inner cities of New York City to the countryside of Russia. Look for opportunities to serve the Lord in missions and your life will be forever changed.
Many Christian colleges have college mission trips, to give their students an opportunity to experience ministry in a way that there would not experience otherwise. Many situations are without the comfort of home and students may have to sleep on the floor, carry water, or go without air conditioning.
International mission trips are particularly exciting because you get to fellowship with people of different cultures, languages, and attitudes. Some who travel overseas see first-hand poverty that pales in comparison to the poverty they see in their own countries.
How I went Overseas with Little or no Money
My first mission trip to China was truly an act of faith I and my husband both had only part-time jobs and no savings in the bank, but I had a desire to go to China. My sister had been ministering there for years and no one in the family had ever been to see her. God put a burden in my heart to go to Beijing and once I said the words out loud, “I am going to China!”
Something began to happen. A feeling of expectation came over me and I began to get so excited. I found a screen saver of an airplane flying over the Great Wall of China and every time I booted up my computer, I was reminded, I am going to China. I then felt lead to get more specific so I printed out a map of China, circled Beijing and put the date I expected to go overseas.
Every time I entered my home and left my home, I looked at that map and said, “thank you, Lord, we are going to China.” You see for me it was a great step of faith making $11.00 an hour part-time. But I felt the Holy Spirit’s blessing on the trip. Everything fell in place and we saw our vision manifest, right before our eyes. My husband and I purchased our tickets and we went to Beijing, China.
Step Out in Faith – Take a Short Term Mission Trip
If you have ever had a burden to go overseas to share the gospel, ask the Lord where he would have you to go. Short term mission trips are a good way to get your feet wet, to see what it is really like to travel abroad. It is also a great way to experience a culture different than your own. God will begin to put a burden on your heart for a certain country. Begin to pray and fast for that nation. Get a map and lay your Holy Ghost filled hands on it, declare and decree that the people of that nation for the kingdom of God!
My sister, my brother, you will find yourself weeping over a people you have never set your eyes on. He is giving you His burden! A fire will begin to burn in your heart, a fire that cannot be quenched. Study about that countries, culture, and people, learn what you can, for it is preparation for the journey.
The Lord will order your steps and lead you to others with like burdens. The Lord will open the door for you to travel overseas. (Isaiah 66:9) Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. Begin by saying, I am going to and speak the name of the country you want to go to. That will be your first act of faith. God will lead you step-by-step to the manifestation of your dream.
Scriptures About Ministry and Going Abroad
- Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so, send I you. John 20:21 (KJV)
- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28;19 (NIV)
- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ACTS 1:8 (KJV)
- And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
- For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47(KJV