Reflection
2 minute 22 second read
Each year we send out Edge short-term mission teams to join in with and learn from the ministry of long-term mission workers. Those who take part are often motivated by the desire to serve others, to be a blessing and to make a difference in the world. But they often don’t expect the level of profound impact and personal growth that going might have on their own lives!
Some recent short-termers share with us something of their own experiences:
"I loved the culture I got to experience. I was so grateful and humbled by meeting other believers and the opportunity to experience being in the minority was so special. I appreciated the slower pace the locals live by and the value that’s placed on time with people."
"My view of God developed and became bigger as I have seen part of the global Church and gained an insight into faith in a context very different to my own."
"I was so blessed by the team, their stories and openness about how God had been moving them to where they are now. I felt God really burden my heart…and give me a love and urgency for the people around me."
"It really showed me the struggles of living as a believer in such a Muslim stronghold country. I have heard the call to prayer in Birmingham many times – but North Africa was different; the sound covered the city, and the tradition was so strong. It helped me to experience what believers experience; but not from hearing a testimony or reading a book. I lived it for a while, so I am now able to pray from a different perspective."
"My understanding of God has grown, and I realise that He is completely sovereign over His Kingdom and its expansion. Being vessels for Him is not a figurative role, but a literal and spiritual one, which we can only be enabled to do by Him."
"I have really seen how God can use different people with different talents to serve Him. I can see that although we have one gospel, there are so many ways we can share this good news with others. Adapting to the culture is important in being able to share this good news effectively and in a way people will respond to. I have learned the need to be innovative and open to change while serving somewhere new, and now understand the need to take all opportunities as they come."
"God really opened my eyes to the Arab world and how ministry is so different in that context compared to here. He really challenged me by showing me the need that there is to reach Muslims with the gospel and stirred me to learn more and become more involved in this type of ministry. I was reminded of how big our God really is, and that He is constantly at work doing ‘far more abundantly than all that we ask or think’ as it says in Ephesians (3:20 ESV)."
