The Shelf Life of Summer Missions   

"Yeah, but this is not like…real life…you know?"

I'll never forget talking to one of our students on the flight home from a mission trip one summer and her passing comment that has forever shaped how I look at missions and student ministry. We were talking about all that we had experienced the past week; we talked about the nights of incredible worship, pouring our hearts and praise out to the God who was leading us. We talked about the deep fellowship we experienced with each other on the team, opportunities to know and be known in the love of Jesus. She mentioned the days of Spirit-led ministry in which we were watching and listening to see how God was moving and how we could join in to point people to the kingdom of God. Then the conversation moved toward home; and the descriptions, mood and outlook quickly changed. It was very clear what she was saying: The week was amazing; we saw God moving and lives changed; we experienced amazing worship and learned about our team in a deep way…but…we're going home now, back to normal life and normal church.

Read More