Modern Missioners

On Sunday, we commissioned and sent off seven Youth Missioners and two adult leaders to participate in a week-long mission experience in Rutland, VT.  All the months of planning, fundraising and team building have finally come to fruition – and it has been raining for a significant portion of the time this week.  I am not sure how much of the work they are doing was outside, but I do hope that the rain will not dampen their spirits or hinder their fun.

The intention of participating in a “Mission Trip” is to expose ourselves to a completely different circumstance from what we would normally encounter.  Many times missions involve supporting our neighbors who live in conditions that are much different and poorer (financial or spiritual) than our own.  We are confronted with understanding our own faith (how can God allow this to happen?) and being in authentic solidarity with those who don’t get to “go home” at the end of the week.  By being challenged in these ways - testing our faith and working through the questions in order to find meaning and understanding – our relationship with God is (hopefully) strengthened and our commitment to serving God’s people as Christ did is deepened. 

That is a lot to ask for one week.  My hope is that this experience will be a catalyst for these young women, who will be so effected by their experiences that they will seek out other opportunities for mission closer to home.  As Jesus said, “The poor will always be with you.”  We don’t have to go far to find people who are needy in all sorts of ways, who need to know God loves them and that we are here to support them as best we can. 

I hope all of us at St. Barnabas will be affected by our youth’s willingness and enthusiasm to participate in mission.  We are all called to be “missioners,” to live out our faith and commitment to God through the example that Christ gave us, to love our neighbors as ourselves.  I am challenging each one of us to find a way to be a missioner.  St. Barnabas does support Elijah’s Promise, but what else can we do?  Where else is the Holy Spirit calling us to serve?  I want to hear your thoughts and ideas.  Nothing is too simple or complex. 

I thank all of you for your support of our Mission Trip program.  May God continue to direct our efforts to serve God’s will and people every day of our lives.

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