My first mission trip in the States was to New Orleans. I had just moved up to the youth group. It was a rite of passage of sorts to go on a trip like that. I was young. I was immature. I was distracted. But the trip changed me. It introduced my young mind to the thought that I had something worthwhile to tell others. I could use opportunities to leave my comforts and go into uncertainties to be used by God. Not only did I desire to go again the next summer, but I also had a different perspective on the needs in my hometown once I came back.
My first international mission trip was to Tokyo. I had just completed my freshman year at college. I signed up for this trip as a package deal for a summer experience. This 3-month commitment trained us for one month in Colorado, sent us to countries in the 10/40 window, like Japan, for one month, and assigned us to youth events for the last month around the States. I honestly considered that middle month as a check-the-box Christian experience where I would say I did it but then go back to my normal ministry pursuits unaffected. I couldn’t be more wrong. That middle month changed everything because, for the first time in my life, I realized how many people have never had the chance to consider Jesus.
Will You Go with Me?
Those two experiences embedded the Great Commission into my life. I’ve been unable to return to normal. Since those days, I’ve tried to do what two people did for me before those two events: “Will you go with me?”
Just as Jesus asked the disciples to leave their nets to follow Him and become fishers of men (Matt. 4:19), He calls us to go as well. He also bids us to bring others along on the path. We can invite someone to go with us while we share the gospel with a friend, sign up to help with a project in our hometown, or order a passport to travel to the other side of the world.
Will You Prepare with Me?
It’s always wise to get some type of training. While I was introduced to missions through short-term trips, Christian missions are so much more than that. That’s why I would like to invite you to come with me. I want to use whatever knowledge, experience, and networking at my disposal to open your eyes up to what God is doing in the world and how you can be involved.
This January, I will be leading a team of people to mobilize those ready for missions. At the Entrust Institute, we will lead an Introduction to Christian Missions. Our hub for gatherings will be Sunday nights at 6:15 after our 5:00 worship service. We meet in the Fellowship Hall of Rocky Creek Church. During this semester, we will engage with the Scriptures to see God’s call for missions and learn about what He is doing around the world.
You can come any Sunday night you like. You don’t have to be there every week, but I would recommend it.
There are two tracks: one, course auditor learning from the information, and two, a seminary student getting course credit for a Master’s degree from Entrust in conjunction with North Greenville University.
Maybe this gathering could do what those pivotal figures in my life did years ago: “Come, go with me.”
I hope you can join us to learn, and then we will tell you how and when you can go.
Even if you can’t attend with us, we will be posting all recordings on the Entrust Podcast.
Introduction to Christian Missions- 5345
Trace the movement of the mission of God throughout the pages of Scripture and the history of the Church. Learn what Christ has called us to do worldwide, and discover how you can be involved.
In this course, students are introduced to Christian Missions through a brief examination of biblical and theological foundations, historical missions, modern missionary practices, and the future of missions around the world.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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