Top Ten Reasons To Take A Mission Trip

By Shawna Shoemaker

Why take a short-term mission trip to Peru? Well, first it is about being obedient. Mark 16:15 states: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." And so, we as a Christian body fulfill this command not only through missions, but also through our daily walk, our witness at our jobs, our church activities, our tithing and giving, and our own personal God-given destinies. So, from this list, what makes missions so important that many of us sacrifice our time and money to go to a third world country suffering from pollution, poverty, crime, and questionable bathrooms? For me, it is the benefits and the joy of being used in a tangible way by God. So, here are ten reasons why every Christian should take such a trip:

10. You will see God move in a powerful way. I don't think anything strengthens our faith and excites us more than witnessing the power of God. Angelic visitations, visions, prophecy, salvations, and healings and other miracles happen on these trips!

9. You will become bold and have practice sharing the gospel. After three trips to Peru, I have NEVER had anyone say “no” to Jesus. It is an easy place to practice sharing the salvation message of Jesus.

8. You will see how God is working around the world. In Peru, the spiritual climate is much different. Peruvians expect to be healed when you pray for them, and as a result, they are. In Peru, the spiritual realm is not some abstract concept - it is real.

7. You will experience the diversity of God's people. God loves all the different cultures and the different ways they worship Him.

6. You will enjoy the aesthetic quality of the world God made. Imagine cruising down the Amazon, canoeing through a village on water, or looking at a city from a dormant volcano. Wow!

5. You will see people as God sees them. Not only are you already tuned into what God is doing, but because you don't know anything about the people you minister to, their "baggage" does not get in the way.

4. You will have intimate times with God. When your sole purpose for ten days is to be a servant of God, then worship and scripture readings happen often, and are powerful. Personally, my favorite part of the Peru trip is when the group worships on top of our hotel in Lima. During this time alone, members of our group have been healed and seen open visions.

3. You will rely completely on God. If you are a control person like me, then being in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, don't know where you are going, and sometimes don't know what you are eating can be a humbling experience. Thank you God!

2. You gain an appreciation for what God has given you. There is nothing like seeing people live in a small square hut with a sand floor, no electricity, and no running water to make you appreciate home.

1. You become God-focused and not self-focused. When you go on a short-term mission trip, you are not focused on your job, your family, or any other responsibilities in your every day life. Consequently, your focus is on God and your relationship with Him grows and your ability to be used by Him increases.

So, the next time you have an opportunity to be a part of the team, please consider. Not only are you investing in Kingdom work, but also you will be changed for a lifetime.

When I first heard the news of a missions trip to Peru, I asked myself, “is this for me?” I wanted to know I was going for the Lord and not some self serving reason. If this were to be merely a vacation, then I would not go. Then Pastor Jerry shared with us the vision about this trip. I knew then, it would be a time of harvest and healing in that country... I was in. But, how would I prepare and what were my qualifications?

At a recent spiritual conference, I was shown that God's power is available for you and me. Like a huge electrical grid, the power is there, but it must be tapped into. We have the ability to tap into his power and authority by calling on the name of Jesus for healing and salvation. Like electricity, God's power can flow through each of us to the people we touch.