If you have spent any significant time around Cru, you have probably heard someone share about Cru’s commitment to international missions. For over six decades, Cru has been sending teams of staff and students all over the world to share the life-changing Good News of Jesus with people in virtually every country on Earth. As a result, millions of people have placed their trust in Jesus and have become a part of God’s family.
- What in this video stands out to you?
- What did you learn from this video?
- What action can you take this week as a result of watching this video?
Maybe you or a student you know have been wondering, “Would God call me to be a part of an international mission someday?” That’s a great question!!! Even as you read this, God is raising up teams of students to join Him in mission fields all over the globe. There are several reasons you should consider joining a team. A mission trip can help you…
In one of Jesus’ final acts during His time on Earth, He gathered His disciples on a mountainside and told them,
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We often refer to this passage of Scripture as the Great Commission. Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all ethnos, or people groups. If we are to truly follow Christ, then we need to take Matthew 28 seriously. We need to join Him in His mission of making disciples, all over the world!
The Christian life is a life of connection to and dependence upon Christ. Sadly, in our day-to-day experience, we often fall into the trap of living disconnected, self-directed lives. International missions provide a unique opportunity to walk in dependence upon the Lord and find a renewed awareness of our need for Him.
Faith is like a muscle. In order to grow, it needs to be exercised and must experience resistance! If you’ve ever worked out, you know that in order to get stronger, you need to push your muscles beyond what is comfortable or easy. The heavier the weight, the more the resistance, the more your muscles will eventually grow. In many ways, faith works in the same way. If we only do what comes naturally, or what seems easy, our faith may remain underdeveloped.
On the other hand, when we take steps of faith that are uncomfortable, when we attempt things that can only be accomplished if God shows up, our faith has the opportunity to grow! International missions provide great opportunities to work out our faith as we trust the Lord in big ways (raising financial support, international travel, speaking to someone from another culture, sharing our faith, etc.).
Each of us experience our Christian life in the context of our own culture. It’s impossible to avoid. And sometimes it can be difficult to separate our faith from our unique cultural expression of it. When we participate in international missions, we have the opportunity to interact with Christians around the world who love Jesus, are committed to His Word, but operate from a very different cultural perspective.
In this new environment, we are able to see and experience the beauty and character of God in unique and significant ways. This can help us to better see and understand God’s character as well as better discern how we can express our Christian faith in our own culture.
When God saves us, He not only calls us to Himself, but also into a family of believers. If you’ve ever been a part of a team, band, or any other group of people working towards a common goal, you know how satisfying that can be. Relationships are strengthened in the midst of working, playing, and building memories together. International missions provide terrific opportunities to interact with other believers: serving together, encouraging one another, praying for one another, and celebrating the unique strengths and gifts of each person on the team.
Faith is like a muscle. In order to grow, it needs to be exercised and must experience resistance!
of Ministry
Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of mission trips is that they provide an environment of highly intentional training and equipping for the students who participate. Students who take part in missions learn valuable ministry skills like how to share their story in a way that can lead others to Christ, how to clearly and concisely share the Good News of Jesus, and how to help new believers begin to grow in their faith.
These skills and strategies can be useful for a lifetime of faithfully following Jesus into evangelism and discipleship, but sadly, many Christians never take the time to learn or equip themselves for these tasks. An international mission provides great opportunities to develop these skills and then apply them for years to come!
We know that God is at work in all places at all times, but for some reason, we often see God do extraordinary things when we join Him in international missions. Quite often, students who go have the opportunity to see someone, even many someones, place their faith in the Lord. Not only does this help accomplish God’s plan to bring people from all over the world into His family, but it often increases our faith to trust Him to do the same on our local campuses when we return home.
Gabe, a high school sophomore from Colorado, had never shared his faith before going on a mission to Quito, Ecuador. After seeing several students trust Jesus on his mission, Gabe returned to Colorado with a newfound zeal for evangelism. Within the first two months back on his campus, Gabe had led four of his classmates to know Jesus!
If God created the universe and holds all wisdom and power, it only makes sense that a life connected to Him should be a life of adventure! Jesus himself promises a “rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10) So, why do so few Christians experience this kind of life? We believe it is because so many of us fail to accept Jesus’ invitation to walk by faith, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and join Him in His work in the world. If you’re looking for a little excitement in your walk with the Lord, consider joining Him on an international mission!
These are not the only reasons you should go on a mission trip this year, but we hope they offer a compelling vision of how God could use an international mission opportunity in your life and strengthen your relationship with Him. As you prayerfully consider joining God on a mission, you can explore current opportunities within Cru’s high school ministry here.
Next Step
Check out Christina's Story and consider how God might use an international mission in your or another student's life.
Christina's Story
