Disciple of Jesus: Go On A Mission Trip Immediately!
I was 16 years old, sitting in a coliseum full of teenagers during a Christian conference when I heard the quiet voice of God urging me to leave my country and go on a short term mission trip. I didn’t know why. I didn’t know how. I just knew I was supposed to go.
I grew up in some pretty extreme poverty. My mother was a single woman raising four kids on her own. We received government assistance but we still couldn’t afford our bills all the time. How in the world was I supposed to afford to go to another country? I didn’t have any answers, but I decided that if God really wanted me to go, then I’d agree to it, but He’d have to provide the resources.
It was the Spring of 1998 when I felt the call, and the organization that I was contemplating going with was taking trips that summer; just a few short months away. As I looked into the details, I realized that I felt a call to Haiti, but the 2 week trip would cost nearly $2,000. We didn’t have those resources.
After doing some research and asking for fundraising advice, I sent out a few support letters to friends and family. Within a couple of weeks more than half of the funds were already sent to me. A couple of fundraisers and a two months later, my trip was fully funded, I had received a passport, and was accepted to join this organization to travel to Haiti that summer. God did it.
Long story short, that summer I flew with that organization to Haiti, and then drove to the Dominican Republic. From the moment I stepped out of the airport my senses were overwhelmed with the physical and spiritual needs. Children surrounded us, begging for money in four different languages. Adults with amputated limbs banged on the sides of our bus trying to sell us anything they could gather from the trash cans and sidewalks. As we drove throughout the city streets, cardboard boxes and old tarps lined the roadsides, acting as temporary sleeping quarters for hundreds of residents.
I remember thinking that I better not ever complain about my level of ‘poverty’ again. Though a run-down mobile home, I had a real roof and walls to live in. Though not the best quality of foods, we had meals to eat. Compared to what I witnessed, I realized the wealth and blessing that I had back at home.
I was, and still am, a pretty big introvert. That week I acted, spoke, and lived in a manner I never had before. God completely wiped away my inability to do many things, and through me, He worked. It wasn’t me that was publicly speaking, or acting in dramas in the city streets, or introducing myself to adults in the streets trying to share the Gospel. God!
God used that trip in 1998 to completely change my worldview, my heart, and my future. In fact, this was an early step God had placed in my life to remind me of His sovereignty and provision while calling me to a life of ministry. God did more in my life during that trip than I ever expected.
Now, as someone who has been in ministry for over 20 years, I've had the honor of walking alongside many believers as they’ve taken steps of faith in various forms. One of the most life-changing experiences I've seen, both for individuals and for the communities they serve, is going on mission trips. I want to take some time today to challenge you with the premise to why every Christian should seriously consider taking a short-term mission trip—and do so in the next 12-24 months.
The Call to the Great Commission
The Great Commission is one of the most powerful and essential passages in the New Testament. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a command from Jesus that carries both urgency and purpose. Let’s take a closer look at this command and unpack why it’s still just as relevant today as it was when Jesus first spoke it to His disciples.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
The Commission to Go
Right off the bat, Jesus starts by saying, "Go." The command is active and requires movement. It’s not a passive instruction to wait for people to come to us, nor is it only for those who are specially trained in missionary work. It’s a universal call to all believers to step outside of their comfort zones and move toward others—locally, nationally, and internationally.
Jesus didn’t say, "Stay where you are, and let people come to you." Instead, He invited His followers to go to them. Whether that means traveling to a foreign land or serving in your local neighborhood, the “going” part of the Great Commission is not limited by geography. This command calls us to take the initiative and bring the Gospel to places where it’s needed.
Making Disciples of All Nations
The phrase “all nations” carries significant weight. At the time Jesus gave this command, the disciples were primarily concerned with the Jewish people and had little understanding of how the Gospel would reach the Gentiles. But Jesus was widening the scope of their vision. This wasn’t just a call to the Jewish people—it was a call for all humanity.
The Great Commission makes it clear that the Gospel is not a regional or cultural message. It is global. It transcends national boundaries, languages, and ethnic groups. The Church is called to make disciples from every people group. God’s heart has always been for the nations, as seen throughout Scripture (Psalm 67:2, Isaiah 49:6). He wants to see His glory declared and His salvation made known to all the earth. That’s why mission trips—whether to the next city over or to a foreign country—are essential to fulfilling this mandate.
This means that we are all called to be involved in mission work—not just the “super Christians” who have special training, but every single one of us who claims the name of Christ. Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a student, or a retiree, you have a part to play in making disciples. In fact, mission trips are one of the most tangible ways we can actively participate in this global work of reaching all nations.
The Promise of His Presence
Finally, Jesus reassures His disciples (and us) that He will be with us always, to the end of the age. This is a comforting and empowering promise. Mission trips often take us into unknown territories, both geographically and spiritually. There may be challenges, fears, and uncertainties, but we can take comfort knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way.
When we go on mission trips, we are not going alone. The Holy Spirit goes with us, guiding us, empowering us, and enabling us to fulfill the task at hand. Jesus is not only sending us out; He’s walking with us, strengthening us, and ensuring that His will is accomplished. His presence is the source of our confidence and peace as we step out in obedience.
The Great Commission Is For All Believers
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about missions is that it’s something for a select group of people—missionaries, pastors, or those with special training. But the Great Commission is clear: it’s for everyone. Jesus’ command wasn’t just for the 12 apostles who were there on that mountain, nor for the first-century Christians. It’s a command for all disciples across all generations.
If you’re a believer in Christ, you are part of the Church, and therefore, you are part of the Great Commission. You don’t need to wait for some dramatic sign or special calling to go on a mission trip. The command is already there, and Jesus expects us to obey it. Going on a mission trip is one of the most effective ways you can fulfill your part in spreading the Gospel to the nations.
Why Go on a Mission Trip?
You might be thinking, “But why do I, personally, need to go on a mission trip? There are plenty of people doing that kind of work already, right?” Here are three key reasons why every disciple of Jesus should consider going on at least one mission trip in the next couple of years.
1. To Grow in Your Faith
Mission trips are often a crucible for spiritual growth. There’s something about stepping out of your comfort zone and into a new environment that challenges you to rely on God in new ways. Whether you're serving in an impoverished community, offering aid to refugees, or simply living life in a different culture, you'll be forced to depend on God's strength and guidance. And here's the thing—when you do, you'll experience His presence in powerful ways.
In the Bible, we see God constantly calling His people to trust Him as they venture into new and challenging situations. Look at how He called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, or how He told Joshua to be strong and courageous when leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. In both of these stories, God was using circumstances outside of their control to deepen their trust in Him and to equip them for His purposes.
A mission trip is no different. God uses these experiences to show us that when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). We learn how to depend on God for things we may not have learned in our usual environments, and that trust becomes the foundation for deeper faith.
2. To Be Obedient to the Call of Jesus
As we just discussed, Jesus commands His followers to “go and make disciples.” This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command. And when God gives us a command, it’s not optional for us. In fact, obeying this call is part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to stay in their comfortable communities and hope others would come to them. He sent them out (Mark 6:7, Matthew 10:5). The apostle Paul followed this example as well, journeying to unfamiliar places to share the message of Christ with people who had never heard it before.
Mission trips allow you to be obedient to that command in a real, tangible way. It's an opportunity to leave the familiar behind and take the Gospel to places that desperately need it. And while your trip may be short, your impact can last forever. Many people come to Christ through the witness of missionaries—short-term or long-term—and often, the seed you plant today could lead to a harvest of souls long after your trip is over.
3. To Serve Others and Reflect the Heart of Christ
The heart of mission work is service. Jesus said that He came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). If we are called to follow Him, we too are called to serve others. Mission trips often involve practical service, whether it's helping to build a church, distributing food to the hungry, or caring for the sick.
When you serve others on a mission trip, you’re putting into practice the very teachings of Christ. You’re loving your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31), showing mercy to the poor (Proverbs 19:17), and doing good works that reflect God's love to the world (Matthew 5:16). And just as we see in the Bible, God uses acts of service to reach people’s hearts. When you show the love of Christ in tangible ways, it can open doors to conversations about the Gospel and lead to real transformation in people’s lives.
Even more powerful is when you see how God uses your service to impact not only those you're serving but also yourself. Serving on a mission trip forces us to take our eyes off ourselves and put them on others. It’s one of the most powerful ways to break free from the comfort and self-centeredness of modern life.
The Impact on You and Those You Serve
Mission trips aren't just about helping others; they are about being changed as well. I've seen people return from mission trips with hearts on fire for Christ and lives transformed. Many talk about how serving others has renewed their sense of purpose and deepened their walk with God. They’ve experienced God’s faithfulness, seen miracles, and learned to rely on Him in ways they never had before.
Consider the example of the early church in Acts 13:2-3. The church was gathered together in prayer and fasting, and the Holy Spirit spoke to them, saying, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They sent them out, and the impact of their missionary journeys shaped the early church in profound ways. Mission trips can have a lasting, ripple effect on both the missionary and the community being served.
Answering the Call
I want to challenge you: If you haven’t yet been on a mission trip, make it a goal to go on one within the next 12-24 months. The opportunities are countless. You don’t have to go across the world—there are missions happening both near and far. But whatever you do, remember that this is part of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
The Great Commission is for all of us. The call to make disciples of all nations includes you, too.
Final Thoughts
Since 1998 I’ve been to multiple countries and communities stateside that aren’t my own. I’ve had the joy of serving and leading teams of people who have the opportunity to experience God in their lives in ways they’d never experienced before. Short-term mission trips are more than just an opportunity to serve. They’re an opportunity to grow in your faith, to be obedient to God’s call, and to reflect the heart of Christ to a world in desperate need of the Gospel. So go. Step out in faith. I promise you that what you receive from the experience will far exceed what you give.
God is waiting to do something amazing in you and through you. Go on a mission trip and watch how He transforms not just the lives of those you serve, but your own life as well.