Mission Trips

I'm a big fan of mission trips.  My life was changed when I went on a mission trip right before my senior year in high school.  Because of that experience, I believe everyone should have the opportunity to go on a mission trip - domestic or international.

However, as I prepared for a message to some college and young adults this past week, I was challenged to look at the mission field a bit differently.  So often I (and many others) view missions as something you go out and do in other towns or countries around the world.  But, as I looked at Christ's life (and that of Philip), I remembered that my mission field is right in front of me.  In fact, it is wherever God leads me.  Let me explain.

Take a minute and read Acts 8:26-38.

1. Where was Philip going?
2. Who directed him?
3. How did God use Philip?

In the often repeated scripture Matthew 28:19-20, Christ proclaims to his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  Christ has told us all to go and make disciples.  How do we do that?  Teach them everything we know and baptizing them.

Using these 2 passages, I was convicted that it is my job to:

• Teach all people (not just my ministry focus of youth and young adults or those in other cities or countries) about Christ.  Whether it is my daughter or my neighbor or a friend I come into contact with, I cannot withhold the love, grace and peace of Christ that has impacted my life for the better.  I need to share Him to others.
• I will know when to share when the Lord directs me.  Philip was told/directed twice (v. 26 & 29) to go take action that led to the Ethiopian eunuch coming to know the Lord as his savior.  Philip just didn't look on the map and say I'm going here and I will do this.  No, the Lord directed him.  Therefore, I need to be in communion with the Lord for Him to direct me.  Philip knew where to go because he knew the voice of the Lord.  He knew what the Lord sounded like.

Therefore, my challenge to you all today is to review these 2 passages above and go before the Lord.  Ask Him to direct you where to share, to whom you should share and what exactly you should share about Him.

Then, when He provides you with an opportunity, you will recognize it and be able to make an impact in someone else's life.

http://tompounder.blogspot.com

Why I am BACK on Facebook!

So, I've made it a week without Facebook.  I deactivated it and then took the App off my iPhone.  It has actually been a really good week without Facebook.

However, on Tuesday I found out that I was going to be taking the primary role in Cedar Run's College and Young Career Ministry this Summer.  In years past, I have always been involved with this ministry as a person who helps transitions the high school graduates into this new ministry.  But this year the Church Leadership has asked me to be the primary leader and organize this group to get some momentum behind it.  This is something I am really looking forward to doing as I LOVE to create new programs and groups.  And, I am going to love reconnecting with old students.

But, because of the short time frame I have to work to get this program started this summer, I know I need to use every tool I can to reconnect with a lot of old students.  Considering these students do not love emails so much and I don't have all their cell numbers, I am going to HAVE to reactivate my Facebook account!

For all that I do not like about Facebook, the 1 great ministry tool it does do is it connects the masses of people all together.  It allows me to get all the information out that I need to get out to a bunch of people at the same time.

So, I'm reactivating my account and I'm going to use it to kick butt in this new ministry opportunity I have.  But please, in my attempt to re-engage in this social media try to keep your Mafia Wars, your Farmville Animals and your Jammin' Java concert invites to yourselves :).