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Tagged: mission trips
Then & Now: Short-Term Mission Trips
For twenty years, East-West has been taking the gospel to the nations. Almost since the beginning, we have had short-term mission trips that give people the opportunity to GO.
Pictured above is our very first short-term mission trip team. They went to Russia to share the gospel almost twenty years ago.
Now our mission field has extended beyond Russia. While we still send teams there, we also send them to South Asia to share the gospel in remote villages, to East Asia to teach students about Jesus through cultural exchanges, to Latin America to tell people about Jesus in their homes, and to orphanages or village children in various parts of the world to help them make Jesus their best friend.
We also take trips to Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe. And we’re developing new trips that will help you utilize your passions and gifts to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in countries around the world.
Then & Now: Evangelism
This month, East-West celebrates our 20th anniversary! So all month long, you’ll get a look at us throughout 20 years of ministry.
Today, we look at how our evangelism efforts have evolved over the years.
When East-West first began, evangelism was largely done by Americans who would go to Russia to share the gospel after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
John Maisel gave many speeches and lectures at universities throughout Russia (which you see above) as a way to share the gospel with those who were largely unfamiliar with it because the decades of communist rule had made atheism the “intelligent” choice.
Now, evangelism remains one of our core ministry strategies. However, we now encourage and equip believers in regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America (see above) to share the gospel with their own people.
Summer Mission Trips 2013
Spring break is coming to a close, and summer will be here before you know it. If you’re looking for a summer mission trip, check out our schedule below to see if one of them works for you!
Apply for these mission trips or see trips for fall on our full mission trip schedule.
The Simple Truth of the Gospel
The gospel is the most important truth any of us could ever share. So here’s a simple gospel presentation to help you become more familiar with it.
A Lasting Impact, Part 2
Erlie’s Journey to Joy
I felt lost and confused. There I sat, at the bottom of the stairs in some building I had never seen before … but this is where the voice told me to go.
I heard the voice earlier that day when I was a few miles down the road, and something in it made me follow it to this small, concrete building. I was exhausted from the journey. With my injuries, I could only “walk” on long braces attached to my arms. This was difficult for a few feet … and even more difficult for a few miles.
But there, at the bottom of the stairs in my complete exhaustion, I met two men who would impact my life forever.
The men, Jeff and John, met me at the bottom of the stairs, and we began talking. It became clear to me that these men were why I came to this building. I told them about the bus that ran over my legs when I was young and that even my family wanted nothing to do with me because of my injuries. I had no support … forcing me to scavenge just to survive.
Then Jeff asked me what seemed to be a strange question. He asked, “Have you ever heard of Jesus?” All I could say was “no” because that was the truth.
Jeff began to tell me a story … a story about a Man who was God and how He died for me. It was hard to believe that someone would die for me. Even my family gave up on me. But he said it was true, and I genuinely believed him.
As he finished the story, I felt such peace come over me. I had never felt that way before. Right then Jeff said something else surprising. He said, “Erlie, smile.”
I didn’t even think about it. I smiled. It made sense to smile because I had joy inside for the first time in years.
Jeff, this American that I just met, told me that my smile was beautiful. And with tears in both our eyes, we prayed. That was the day I met Jesus and decided to follow Him.
I couldn’t remember the last time I smiled before then. But that day I finally found something to smile about—a Savior who loves me more than anyone and an American friend who loved me enough to share Him with me.
A Lasting Impact, Part 1
Jeff’s Spirit-Led Encounter
In a simple, concrete apartment complex in Latin America, I had an encounter that would impact me forever.
It was the last day of my first ever mission trip. My interpreter, John, and I were walking down the stairs from the third floor of this small, box-like building—leaving a gathering of church workers. As I looked out the windows into the street, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something more I could do … more people with whom I could share the gospel. I looked at John, and his look said that he felt it too.
We came to the bottom of the stairs, and we saw a man—handicapped in his legs, sitting with his braces next to him. He was about 30 years old, but those years had not been kind to him. He looked sad and confused, and something told us that he was the man we were meant to meet that day.
As we approached, John said, “You look troubled. What is your name?”
“Erlie,” the man replied. “I have never been to this building before, but I know I need to be here. That’s what the voice said.” I was astounded. It was like something out of a story you hear from far away … not something you see happen right before your eyes.
Erlie was an outcast because of his injuries and had to scrounge to live. I was struck by his hopelessness when I asked, “Erlie, have you ever heard of Jesus?”
He simply replied, “No.” At that moment, I heard a clear prompt from the Lord. He said, “Give him joy, Jeff. Give him Me.”
So I began telling him about the One who loved him more than anyone else—the Man he had never heard of but needed to know. I continued through the gospel message and saw peace wash over his face.
When I finished, I heard another clear instruction from the Lord saying, “Tell him to smile.” When I did, Erlie’s face broke into a wide smile. Even as I think about it today, I remember it as one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. So I told him, “Erlie, your smile is beautiful.”
It was then that we all began to weep and pray. That day, Erlie gave his life to Christ—finding the hope and joy for which he had been searching.
Igniting a Movement
East-West has always been passionate about mobilizing believers into unreached areas because we believe the united Body of Christ is the most powerful tool for impacting the world with the gospel.
Through our short-term mission trips, we have seen tens of thousands of individuals come to faith. These new believers then begin to spark a movement of the gospel through their own families and communities—igniting a chain of impact throughout spiritually dark nations.
But the lives of the unreached are not the only ones transformed. The ordinary individuals—like you—who dare to go and share the Good News are finding their own faith reignited as they work to multiply God’s Kingdom …
“I began to see God as a universal God and not an American.” –David
“I was reminded of just how powerful the gospel message is … I saw women transformed from being full of despair to full of hope. I saw children dance with delight at the freedom offered through Christ. I saw hard-looking men soften as they heard the message of God’s grace.” –Michelle
“More than ever in my life, I could see a clear example of God’s spirit moving in another region of the world … Now I’ve seen firsthand masses of new believers worshipping the living God.” –Jessica
“It deepened my faith and ability to trust God in a multitude of situations.” –Joni
“It was amazing to feel the Holy Spirit active in me and to see His impact on others.” –Jeff
“It reminded me of the power of love … though I may not be a highly skilled person, I most certainly have the love of Christ to lavish on the people.” –Kacie
“It was the single most exciting and exhilarating trip I have ever been on … It helped me see the world in a whole different light.” –Todd
Meet the Staff: Chelsea Jenkins
Chelsea Jenkins is passionate about mobilizing the Body of Christ. As part of our mobilization department, she works to connect God’s people to His mission worldwide by recruiting and developing leaders.
Here’s a little bit more about the gal you may see representing East-West at your church or college.
What were you doing before you came to East-West?
I was working on my master’s degree at Dallas Baptist University—which I just finished! It was in global leadership (which is really just a different way of saying “missions”).
What kind of classes did you take?
We studied a variety of subjects including missiology, business as missions, theology, and spiritual formation. But my favorite class was called “Local Church on Mission.”
How did you hear about East-West?
One of the classes I had to take was called Global Practicum. In this class you were required to travel overseas for a short-term trip. I had the opportunity to go to East Asia for a “cross-cultural exchange” where we met with university students to learn about their culture and teach them about ours.
This happened to be at a university to which East-West sent teachers. While I was there, I connected with them and saw what they did and how they were working. Those teachers were my first introduction to East-West.
How did you come to work here?
After I got back, I connected with people in your mobilization department, and after a few conversations I started out as a volunteer for East-West at different information sessions. Then I became a part-time recruiter. I found that my time getting to know those teachers in East Asia really helped me in looking for potential candidates. And eventually I came on full-time with my new position.
Tell me a little about your job now.
As the Director of Missionary Mobilization, I help mobilize the Body of Christ. My main focus is recruiting at colleges, conferences, and churches and building relationships with those who may be interested in serving overseas as missionaries.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite thing is getting to sit down to talk one-on-one with people over lunch or coffee and build relationships with them. The most exciting part is hearing the stories of how God is working in people’s lives and how they want to serve Him. I also get to help them figure out what kind of opportunities they need and want and help them develop into leaders who could one day serve on the field.
Have you been on any trips with East-West?
Last summer I led a trip to East Asia for two weeks of culture camps for elementary and high school kids. We got to teach them about American culture while pointing out the influence of Christ.
Where else do you want to go?
I would love to go back to East Asia, but I think it would be great to go to Spain or Southeast Asia as well. I really love the community development that is happening in those places and would love to be a part of it.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Being newly engaged, I am deep into planning my wedding this spring. But other than that, I’m actually really excited to finally get to do some of the Pinterest projects that I’ve been pinning, and I am ready to read books for fun instead of for school. I want to work on my heart knowledge after spending so much time on building my head knowledge.
Be sure to say hi to Chelsea at your college job fair, church, or conference.
5 Ways to Recover From Your Mission Trip
Moving from one culture to another can be difficult and even stressful. As you return home from your short-term mission trip, you are likely to experience emotions that you didn’t expect such as:
- Irritability
- Depression or sadness
- Fatigue
- Conflicting feelings about your life or lifestyle
These feelings and more can leave you disillusioned and exhausted, but there are ways to connect your mission trip experience to your life at home that are beneficial to you, your community, and those you left behind in another country.
Seek the Lord’s direction
Continue to pray and seek the Lord with the same conviction and passion you had on your mission trip. You are likely learning some new and exciting things, but learning and change can be difficult. You need to remember that your natural tendency will be to resist change, but it’s important to seek God and look for ways to use this passion at home to tell your own community about Jesus Christ.
Share your feelings with others
You’re not alone in this change. Your mission team members are probably experiencing the same emotions at home. Keep in touch through phone calls, e-mails, or letters. Walking through this life-changing process can be more joyful when walking with others who understand exactly what you’re going through.
Share your experiences with friends and family
Much like sharing your testimony, sharing your mission trip experience with your family and friends should be specific and practiced. Tell one or two specific short stories about people you met, how you grew on the trip, and specific things you learned. Use your favorite few pictures instead of showing them everything, and avoid preaching or sounding superior because of your service overseas. Most importantly, give God the glory for all that happened.
Stay involved with your new friends
Pray for the new church and your new friends from your time overseas. Write to them to let them know you are still praying for them and think of them. You could also send photos of them from your time with there as a special surprise.
Start getting your church involved
Talk to your pastor or missions committee about the possibility of taking a group from your church on a future short-term mission trip. Think about ways to get your church involved by praying regularly, or create fundraisers to raise money for future mission trips or to support the church and national workers you met overseas as they continue to minister in their communities.
What did you learn on your last mission trip?
