Not Your Ordinary Mission Trip

Barefoot children, poor health care, and dusty roads.  This is what most people think of when they are asked to describe a typical “mission trip.”  We all see the Facebook profile pictures of a young American surrounded by little children, but is this the only type of “mission” we are called to?  The Great Commission says to go and make disciples of ALL nations and to preach the Gospel to ALL creation (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15).  Acts 13:47 says, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ENDS OF THE EARTH.” We are also instructed to “declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among ALL people” (1 Chronicles 16:24).  Shall I go on?  Scripture after scripture we see that our calling is to bring the Gospel to EVERYONE!  This is why I love my church’s mission statement so much.  At Summit Church, “we exist to give EVERY man, woman, and child the REPEATED OPPORTUNITY to see, hear, and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO COME OR GO ANYWHERE.”  While the Bible does describe people traveling miles to hear and lay eyes on Jesus, we also see that Jesus went to the people in order meet their needs right where they were.

So yes, I will be traveling to Paris, France for a missionary internship.  I will be in a large metropolitan area, the "city of love", a city with universal healthcare, but it is in as much need of the Gospel as anywhere else.  If I truly believe the fate of those who do not know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, then I should proclaim His truths and promises to everyone I meet, right?  France is no exception!  To an outside observer, Paris looks like a prosperous city that has it all together, and it is true that many people identify as Catholic.  However, most people do not regularly attend mass, read Scripture, or know who Jesus is apart from what they’ve grown up hearing every now and then.  They may have a little head knowledge about Jesus, but many lack heart knowledge and few have a relationship with Him.  As it was once described to me on my last visit there in January, France believes in “country before religion.”  This is why it is illegal to wear rosaries, hijabs, turbans, and the Star of David in school settings.  The people of France, just like the people of the United States, Latin America, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa, are in desperate need of the Gospel.  So yes, I will be sleeping without mosquito nets, free of immunizations for rare diseases, and in a city buzzing with well-to-do people, but I will also be serving my Creator in the city I love for His name’s sake.  

I exist to share a life-saving message that carries eternal weight with every man, woman, and child without them having to come or go anywhere.


"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.  On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?'  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."  -Matthew 7:21-23