Vamos a Peru

When I was 10 years old, I went on my first mission trip with my dad, who was the Executive Pastor/Missions Pastor/Assistant Pastor/Education Pastor, etc., at Exeter Bible Church in Birdsboro, PA.  Little did I know how this one trip would shape the rest of my life.  Over the next 7 years, I went on 6 more trips with him, and began to fall in love with ministry in other countries.  When my wife, Shallon, and I were dating, we had committed ourselves to being overseas missionaries.  We were sure that is where God was directing us.  However, even though I now look at student ministry in America as very similar to international ministry, God had other plans for us.  But now, one thing I love is taking young people (and adults) to other countries to get a vision for missions. 13 of our group will be embarking on their first interational mission trip.  That excites me!

When God first began to show us that He, at that time, was not calling us overseas, I began to wonder about that.  Didn't the nations need the Gospel?  Weren't all missions agencies constantly asking for more people to go reach the lost?  But then I started to realize that maybe God wanted to use my passion for missions to ignite the passion for missions in others! Maybe God wanted me to show others the incredible need there is all over the world.

So as we depart, I pray this: God, take from our group men and women who will go around the world with the Gospel.  Ignite the passion for the lost, both at home and around the world, in our group.  May we be world changers for your glory!