Mission Trips

I am not sure how many mission trips I have been on over the years. I guess I should have kept count of the days, miles, places, and results. I started as a teen in youth ministry and haven't stopped so it has been several for sure.
My first mission trips were really choir tours. We traveled on the church bus which was always an adventure! Breakdowns were expected. I was taught early on to trust God while traveling. I eventually went on construction mission trips. I learned most of my carpentry skills (limited for sure) while working with men building churches. Then came the VBS/BackYard Bible Clubs. Very exciting work to see children light up upon hearing about Jesus.
My missions experience expanded into evangelism, door-to-door survey, and even Christian Martial Arts demos. I eventually grew into International Disaster Relief work and teaching Pastor's Conferences in many countries.
I have grown in and through mission involvement. From participating as a teenager across the US to leading a church group across East Africa! Missions has taken me many places and to many people groups. I NEVER tire of missions. It is one of the most exciting aspects of ministry for me alongside of pastoring.
I have also payed attention and observed many "mission trips" of various groups. I have concluded that often times trips are classified as "missions" when very little, if any, true mission work is done. Many wonderful group vacations are taken under the name of missions and defined as "planting seeds" through lifestyle smiles and handshakes. I have a much different view or definition of a true mission trip.
Mission trips should include a deep heart passion for a people group. A movement within your soul that will not let you not go. It is much beyond the occasional "I'll go if I can" or "It better be fun in a great location (beach) or I'm not going" attitude. A burden must be the motivator within the mission. Such a burden doesn't care about things such as accommodations, who else is going, whom you may room with, fashion statement, or if you can wear a bathing suit or not. It doesn't matter the food, the mode of travel, or even the weather. A heart for people to hear and respond to the gospel must be the foundation.
I also believe that intense preparation is a must. Resources cannot be wasted on the true mission field. Planning and time alone with God before going is nonnegotiable for real mission work. Just signing up at the last moment because it sounds like "fun" is not what missions is about.
Desired results that are measurable is also a must. It is why planning is done and communication for support promises. "How many people responded to the gospel?" is a great question. Other measurable results include the number of people trained, discipled, witnessed to, baptized, churches started, prayer groups started, and life change.
God called. True mission work is an act of obedience. Not all mission work is fun but it is rewarding. I have been on some mission trips that break your heart and "fun" would not be an adequate descriptive word. Other trips have been the most fun I have ever experienced. It comes to the point of a true calling from God or just a trip planned by man. I know that some trips can turn into missions but something radical must take place.
I believe we must be VERY careful in what we teach children and youth concerning mission trips. We must ensure that the difference is made between a youth trip and a mission trip. Truth is that not all are ready for a true mission trip and should not be forced to attend. The future of the gospel is depending on God-called servants with a heart for missions!

From My Heart,

Pastor BR

It Is That Time of Year Again!

School is out and Summer is here and that can only mean one thing....VBS!

Vacation Bible School (VBS) has great memories for me as a child and a pastor. I can remember lining up by age groups, marching into the sanctuary behind the flags and the Bible. We would stand and say our pledge to the American Flag, the Christian Flag, and to the Bible. I can still hear the echo of the "sit down" chord and the "stand up" chord. We would memorize our theme verse for the week as well as songs and learn Bible stories. Cookies and cool aide was the standard snack. At the end of the week we had a family night for our parents to visit our rooms and gather our crafts. Such memories!

I did not know then what I have learned now: it takes a lot of commitment and work from a whole lot of people to have a memorable VBS. The lasting impact of VBS is unquestionable. So many children experience the Bible for the first time during VBS. Many hear of missionaries and foreign lands they hope to one day encounter. VBS opens a whole new world in the eyes of a child. I know because I have never forgotten the stories while I have visited many foreign lands. As I walked the pathways in some third world countries my mind goes back to my VBS experiences.

One special memory for me is when I prayed with my very first person (child) to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. It was during VBS and I was a teenage volunteer. I can still see the pew we sat in and the sanctuary decorated. It is a memory I will never forget.

Through the years I have led numerous mission VBS trips to many parts of the country and the world. The reaction is the same no matter what language is used. Smiling children with bright eyes and endless energy running to the church each morning. Songs sung with movements to wake the body and the spirit. Stories from God's Word and prayers of commitment to Christ. Tired workers at the end of the week. Everyone knowing it was worth it all and next year we will sign up again!

From the Heart,

Pastor BR

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have given their life serving in our military. Their death while preserving our dignity and freedom as a country must never be forgotten. I remember the first time I visited Arlington Cemetery and viewed the changing of the guard ceremony. I was moved by the dedication and precision by which this ceremony honored fallen soldiers and memorialized those who go "unknown."
I was memorized by the commitment of the Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard." Further study revealed that the soldiers must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in the barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as a guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform ready for guard duty.
Their Sentinel Creed states:
"My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands my respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance."
Such commitment is unparalleled in our world today!
And yet, we as Christians have a great cause worth living and dying for. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 reminds us that we are called to this Christian life to live for Christ and be willing to die if necessary. Would it be that we have Soldiers of Christ as committed as the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard." Something worth thinking about!

From My Heart,
BR

New Publisher

Well, it has been some time since I last blogged. Many things have taken place that have delayed my efforts. WinePress Publishing has closed it's doors and so my old weblog was shut down (I had over 250,000 hits!). I now have a new publisher and my book Simple Living is once again available. My new publisher is Deep River Books. Access their website at www.deepriverbooks.com  and you can access my book in it's second printing.
AND we have moved to the Wetumpka area! We are getting settled in a new community. God has provided a wonderful place for us to live with many new friends.
I hope this brief update will reconnect with my friends in the blogging world.
Thanks for all your prayers and encouraging words as we move forward in the Lord!

From the Heart,
Pastor BR