Going on a mission trip is something I highly recommend all people to do at some point in their lives. I went on a mission trip to England a few years back and it changed my life. I learned so many new things, made many new friends who I still talk to today, experienced a different culture, gained a new outlook on life, and stepped out of my comfort zone.
During my seven weeks in England, God taught me many things that have helped me grow in my Christian walk and crucial lessons to life. If you are considering going on a mission trip, this is the sign for you to go.
1. God Commands All People to Go
All people are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations. Jesus tells us,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Whether a person is young, middle-aged, or older, God commands all people to go. As long as you are alive, God still has a purpose for your life.
By going on mission trips, we are fulfilling the Great Commission. There are many places across the globe that have not been educated in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The 10/40 window is an area that especially needs the gospel to be shared upon their shores. Asia, Antarctica, Europe, Africa, Oceania, North America, and South America all need missionaries to bring the gospel to them and share it in a way that is understandable and meaningful to them.
Many of these places have already had the gospel taken to them; however, it may not have been shared in a way that is understandable to them. This is why it is vitally important for us as believers to go on mission trips and help the lost world come to know Christ as Savior and Lord.
2. It Is Life-Changing
A second reason why you should go on a mission trip is because it is life-changing. For me personally, when I went to England, it completely changed my life. It helped show me what life was like to live on my own in a different place.
I had never spent a night away from home until my mission trip. I’m not going to lie; it was hard for me at first and I had great homesickness but getting involved with God’s work there and making new friends helped my homesickness not be as severe.
My mission trip helped change my life for the better. It helped me get out of my own head and start focusing on others and it truly taught me how to live again. After the death of my mother, my entire family was plagued with loving life without her anymore, which has resulted in pain, grief, and depression.
During my time in England, I was able to focus more on living my life for God and moving forward through despair.
During my mission trip in England, God changed my life and helped me to start focusing on Him and resting in the knowledge that He is always with me no matter where I go.
3. A Chance to Make New Friends
A third reason why you should go on a mission trip is because it is a great chance to make new friends. The friends I made on my mission trip are some of the closest friends I have today.
I stayed in three different cities of Havant, Ivybridge, and Luton, in which I made many different friends from various age groups.
One of my closest friends was the girl who served alongside me during our time in England. We became two peas in a pod while we were there and even until this day, we talk daily.
Most of the friends that I made in England are still close friends to me today and we often email each other and keep each other updated on our lives even though we are 3,900 miles away from each other.
When you go on a mission trip, you will have numerous opportunities to make new friends who may become some of your closest friends.
The friends that I made in England are unique among the other friends I know, and I feel I can truly be myself around them without judgment. I encourage you to make new friends on your mission trip because they might just turn out to become your best friends.
4. Experience a Different Culture
A fourth reason why I encourage you to go on a mission trip is because it gives you the opportunity to experience a different culture. Many people believe England is closely tied in with American culture because we speak the same language. This is not true at all.
There are much more differences than similarities. The number one similarity that people try to connect between Brits and Americans is that we speak the same language. I thought the same thing until I went there.
According to the British, Americans speak “American,” and the British speak “English.” In addition to this fact, there are many other different cultural practices such as different meanings of words and items, different holidays, and a different sense of humor.
As an example, in England, a shopping cart is called a “trolley,” “knackered” means you are really tired, and “quid” is slang for a pound (their currency) — just like when we say “bucks” for our dollars. When you go on a mission trip, you will get to learn and experience a different culture.
I am very excited and interested in learning about new cultures, which is one of the main reasons I want to do more mission trips in the future. Experiencing a different culture is definitely the main reason you should go on a mission trip.
5. Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
A fifth reason you should go on a mission trip is that it causes you to step out of your comfort zone. I’m an introvert, so it is extremely difficult to step out of my comfort zone and interact with people 24/7.
During my mission trip, I was pushed far out of my comfort zone, but I am eternally grateful that I was pushed out of my comfort zone.
Living with other people, talking with new people, and stripping away all comforts of normalcy of my life caused great growth to emerge within my heart during my time in England.
When you go on a mission trip, you will be able to see with your own two eyes how much God will urge you out of your comfort zone, and trust me, you will be happy that you did.
If we only live within the confines of our comfort zones, we will have no growth in our walk with Christ. Stepping out of your comfort zone will be scary, but there is a life of freedom on the other side.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
It is time to go on a mission trip! Pray for God to direct your steps and give you clarity as to where He wants you to serve Him. Ask trusted Christian advisors in your life to help you also and to pray for you.
Fundraising for mission trips can be difficult; however, praying, asking for help from family and friends, and speaking at local churches can help you raise enough for your missionary trip.
Also, never forget God’s grace and provision. He can do far more than we could ever hope or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).
For further reading:
What Is the Biblical View of Mission Work?
What Did Jesus Mean to 'Go and Make Disciples’?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/pamela_d_mcadams
