WHY DO CHRISTIANS NOT GO ON MISSION TRIPS?
The question is: “Why don’t more Christians go on mission trips?” And if the average Christian is asked that question their first reply might well be; “Why should I(we) go on a mission trip?”
Almost everyone; even those who do not consider themselves to be a Christian, is familiar with THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. And nowhere in those obvious 10 are mission trips mentioned. But for the Christian, they (The Ten Commandments) are not the only commandments in the Bible. I don’t have an exact count of the numerous commandments in the Bible but there are many and the one under consideration here is:
Mat 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Or as the NIV words it; “(The Great Commission) 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in* the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
With that in mind; nobody can say they are not called to go on a mission trip. The only legitimate reason for not going on a particular mission trip is that you do not feel led to go on “this particular mission trip or a mission trip at this exact time”. If that is the case more prayer is called for so that you might learn what is ‘GOD’s will for your life’ in regards to your mission in life and the use of your GOD given ‘gifts and talents’.
That explains the “WHY” of the question but the most frequent response to the question of; “Why don’t you go on a mission trip?” is: “I can not afford it.” In reality that is just an excuse for not going; or even considering going on a mission trip. If the person has prayed about going on a mission trip and feels ‘called’ to do so then they should realize the money is already there for them. They must simply find it. All things belong to the LORD and HE is not going to call you to a mission without giving you the ability to do so.
I believe that in the back of many people’s mind is the thought that they might have to sleep on the ground and eat strange things like locusts! And I will have to admit, that is a pretty disgusting thought to me, also. But there are many different types of mission trips. A mission trip might be right next door to you, or across the street. It could be in another city or even state and some of the most difficult mission trips I have heard of have occurred right here in the United States; as in helping the Katrina disaster victims or going into some of the really poor regions of our country and sleeping on mattresses on the floor of a church and eating the meager rations available. Then project that forward to a third-world country. Yes, things can be quite primitive but are not always so!
The mission trips that Spartanburg Angels participates in and arrange are not nearly so primitive even though the people we serve live, for the most part, with dirt floors, no running water, electricity or sanitation facilities. Yet, those we serve are some of the most loving and accepting people I have ever met. We stay in a missionary inn which is comfortable, air-conditioned, with pure water and ample nourishing food. It is a short walk to the ‘mission field’ but we usually use cars.
Our activities include doing a Vacation Bible School for a week, playing games with the children and witnessing to them. Showing Christian films and animated Christian Bible stories with the use of a lap-top computer, computer projector and an inverter to supply the power off of the car battery. All projected on a large white sheet. We pass out Bibles and have a chance to personally interact with those we serve through our interpreters.
And all those who have gone with us will tell you it is a ‘life-changing’ experience. One, if you open your heart to the children, that will leave you with an entirely different perspective on life and an un-dying love for the children.
So, in short, you do not have to ask ‘if you should go on a mission trip’. You need to ask the LORD for permission ‘not to go on a mission trip’! Please pray about it and if you want more information on our mission and our mission trips please do not hesitate to contact us: Robert Black 864-621-9774 or Email: achristianplace@charter.net . Note: You do not have to live in Spartanburg, SC to participate with us.
Yours in CHRIST,
Robert Black