Making A Difference

October 2008

A recent survey reports that few churchgoers in America have experienced a short-term mission trip.

The study, from The Barna Group, reports that only nine percent of Americans—and only 11 percent of churchgoers—have ever been on a mission trip. And of those that had gone on a mission trip, the experience was over five years ago.  Those findings come despite the accessibility and increased awareness of such trips in recent years.

In light of that report, I am pleased to tell you that Kansas and Nebraska churches, large and small, are engaging in mission trips and other opportunities to “make a difference”. KNCSB Directors of Volunteers Lewis and Verletta Schwartz (Kansas) and Wayne and Ruth Ann Kittelson (Nebraska) tell us that our churches are also engaging in more than one mission ministry opportunity annually.

The positive impact the experience of a mission trip has on an individual’s life cannot be overstated. Many report that the trip changed their lives in some way, often in a renewed experience of the deep satisfaction and joy we knew when we first met Jesus. The experience of laboring together for the benefit of someone you don’t know, simply for their well-being, enriches our faith and helps us take another step to becoming more Christlike.

It has been said that success is accomplished by investing in ourselves. Mission trips provide us opportunities to get to know ourselves, understand our true purpose in life, make a difference in the life of someone else, and build relationships. Additionally, those same mission trips allow us to experience significance in life by serving, investing in, leading, and enabling others.

In this last year, over 4600 Kansas and Nebraska Southern Baptists served in mission and ministry within their associations. Also 1629 faithful servants participated in short-term mission trips outside their associations. These mission trips and ministry opportunities resulted in at least 770 professions of faith in our Lord Jesus.

Receiving is as important as giving and certainly we benefited this year from the 2,960 people who came as part of short-term mission teams to support Kansas and Nebraska churches and associations. They helped us through construction, vacation Bible school, Backyard Bible clubs, community surveying, Block Party activities, individual witnessing, and leadership development.  Many, if not most of these teams were from the Arkansas Baptist Convention, our mission partner convention.

Several pastors and church leaders approached me during our recent annual meeting asking about opportunities for their church to go on a mission trip. If you are interested in learning more about going on a mission trip, contact Lewis and Verletta Schwartz (785) 228-5788 or Wayne and Ruth Ann Kittelson (402) 330-0894 for information regarding documented needs for mission teams. They look forward to assisting you as you “make a difference” on your mission trip.

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