Mission Trips Matter
// Rob Arms
Over the years, there have been many intense discussions concerning the effectiveness of mission trips.
Some say they are ineffective and are nothing more than an American church summer vacation. Others might say we should take care of people in our own country before we concern ourselves with other countries. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus says, “…go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Mission groups bring craft projects for our students. They are forming relationships to last a lifetime.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve been on mission trips from Cambodia to Spain. My wife and I host teams to the Dominican Republic for New Missions. Although we were unable to take trips during 2020 and 2021, during 2019, I can give you 62 reasons why “mission trips matter.” These teams assisted in leading 62 people into a relationship with Christ! Our trips consist of relational ministry. They support our existing churches and schools through VBS programs—encouraging the children to accept Jesus as their Savior. If a team member sponsors a child, they usually have the opportunity to meet the student and their family.
Our "Leaders for Christ" group encourages spiritual growth in our schools; mission teams assist with teaching and worship.
Recreation is always a top priority for students when our mission teams visit any of our five campuses.
If you speak with people who have been on a mission trip, they’ll tell you they received more than they ever gave. So, do mission trips matter? Ask the 62 who committed to follow Christ and were baptized in 2019. ~Rob Arms
