In Acts 8:1,4 Luke writes about how the early church grew due to every believer preaching the Gospel wherever they went. In other words, it takes an entire congregation to grow a church. We are all called to "make disciples".
And so, while hosting youth groups on mission trips in Los Angeles, one of my biggest prayer concerns was that each person would become just as intentional about loving those in need of Jesus in their home community as they were while on their mission trip. Numerous times, weeks after returning home, both youth and adults have emailed me to let me know how God has been working in their lives since their time in Los Angeles.
The direction God has taken each of them has varied, and rightfully so. When Matthew met Jesus, he immediately left his tax collecting business and followed the Teacher. When Zaccheus encountered Jesus, he remained a tax collector, but did business radically different. Similarly, some adults from these trips have sensed God directing them to pursue a new job, while others have written about their efforts to love their fellow employees at their current job.
I wanted to share with you an email I recently received from Angel. Angel, along with her son Josh, were part of the last group I hosted. Their church came all the way from Hillsboro, Kansas (in my opinion, the center of nowhere). Angel wrote:
"I had to share with you what God has done since being home this summer from LA…. I had such an amazing experience working with the homeless and the poor. I had made a comment to you that maybe God was wanting me to look outside of Hillsboro and to work with at risk kids. Well, He was working before I even got home. The Monday after we got back, I got a phone call out of the blue that there was an Early Childhood Head Start Teaching position open in the town of Marion 10 miles away. The Director asked if I would apply. I prayed and felt that God was leading me. I had an interview the next Monday and they offered the job to me Wed. Within two weeks God had completely changed all things. It was amazing. I have officially started my job, no kids yet, but training. This job will enable me to work with some of the poorest families in our County. What is the most awesome thing is the Head Start belief that we need to meet the needs of the entire family, not just the kids. So that will be such an awesome experience and growth for me. I believe that God used our time in LA to prepare me for this task ahead. I would ask for prayer that I would be compassionate, understanding, loving at all times and in his will to affect change in my own life and the lives of these families and children I will have contact with. I am so EXCITED!!!!"
Wow! God is amazing! Please keep Angel in your prayers. And thank you for your prayers for me while I hosted groups on their mission trips in L.A. Your prayers are so effective!
Angel’s testimony inspires and encourages us to SHINE for Jesus everyday and everywhere…whether that be inner-city Los Angeles, rural Kansas, suburban central Pennsylvania, or the slums of Indonesia.
Lord, we are willing to go anywhere to spread a passion for You. We are willing to stay to spread a passion for You. We are willing to change jobs, or we are willing to stay at our current job. But Lord, we pray, may our lives count. Enable us to live for You.
Shine,
Jason
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