By Colin Halstead
As I shared in a message a couple weeks ago, my first Short Term Mission (STM) trip was a hugely life-changing time in my young adulthood. Not only did it change my view of my own faith in and relationship with Christ, it was also the time when God began to speak to me about committing my life to Him in full-time service. Since that time, I have been involved in leading eight STM trips involving high school, university students, and senior adults.
Once again, I look forward to accompanying university students from our church on a trip to Bolivia to work alongside our own missionary couple, Daniel and Daryl Collins, as well as other national and expatriate ministry staff in South America. With the help of nationals and missionaries alike, my perception of STM’s has changed over the years. I remember having overestimated how we were helping the local church in Mexico by all the things we did or provided; somehow we thought they couldn’t do it. Graciously, Pastor Mario Avilla in Morelos, spoke with me and expressed how much more effective it would be if we worked and related alongside his parishioners and local ministry staff. As he put it, “When you come, it’s like a giant circus comes to town; when you leave no one wants to see the dancing bear I’m left with! What would be helpful is if you’d work alongside us and help to make us successful for the 51 weeks a year you are not here.” What we had thought was helping him in spreading the Gospel had actually made it harder for him after we left! This really changed our paradigm and the way we approached our time and relationship with his church body.
The Bolivia team has been asked, “What will you be doing?” We have been answering, “Assisting the missionaries and nationals in whatever way will be encouraging to them and of helpful in spreading the Gospel in their part of the world.” Relationships built will be as important, or more important, than anything we could do or teach them. And I expect the changes and growth in those who go and return will be more lasting than any building built, testimony given, or song sung. I am so grateful to see the service, faith, and direction of those who went in 2008, as it has outlasted and outshined the two weeks spent there: Three are at seminary preparing for full-time ministry; three lead in our own collegiate ministry; one interns in the children’s and college ministry departments; one is leaving for a stint with Youth with a Mission (YWAM); and another is a local representative for Compassion International.
Please pray that we will be quick to join in where we see God working rather than focused on our own plans. Pray that we will be more like His Son, Jesus Christ, and that because of this, all will see what God is doing in and through us, giving glory to our Father who is responsible for it all. Thank God in advance for the changes coming in our lives and the lives we touch. Praise God for His wonderful grace and power!
Written by Colin Halstead for Emily McMahon, Matt Jones, Greg Peterson, Molly Mack, Brielle Adams, Bethany Jennings and Kristi Mueller