Frank Dees, owner of Youth On Mission, posted this video on Facebook from our week in Haiti. The need is still great!
Showing posts with label International Missions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Missions. Show all posts
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Reflection on Haiti: Part 1
Now that I've been back for a few days, I thought I would take a few posts to try to reflect upon what I learned/saw in Haiti last week. As I stated in my last post, I was amazed at the number of churches I saw there. There were over 20 Baptist churches just within the network we were working with. Our primary ministry was to go to different locations where churches gathered and distribute food, clean up rubble from damage to their church buildings, play with the kids, and share the gospel. However, what I found very quickly was that these churches had heard the gospel several times. Both adults and children were able to affirm the basic beliefs of the gospel. Since we were really in each town for only a few hours, I found it best to try to encourage them while I was there. I didn't share in every town because I was not the only pastor on our team, but when I did get the chance to share I wanted to put before them the hope of eternal joy in Christ. I felt, at that point, that we were there more for strengthening the church rather than focusing primarily on sharing the gospel (although that did take place in every place as well). With that being said, the church in Haiti needs much prayer. They need to find and preach hope in Christ alone. They appear to have a joy that is clearly not of this world (since they do not have much in this world), and that was both encouraging and convicting. Not only does the church in Haiti need our prayers for the gospel to go forth, but the church in America needs prayer to make sure our lives line up with our hope being in Christ alone and not in the things of this world.
Below is a picture of us distributing food in one of those areas.
This one is of Brandon Dees, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC, sharing at one of the church locations.
Below is a picture of us distributing food in one of those areas.
This one is of Brandon Dees, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC, sharing at one of the church locations.
Friday, March 5, 2010
I'm Home from Haiti
I came home from Haiti today. I will say a couple of quick things, but plan to take some time to process it all and give a more detailed update soon.
First of all, I was amazed at the number of churches in Haiti. I pray the gospel will shine bright in the midst of darkness.
Secondly, I don't think the pictures on TV or the Internet do justice to the damage. Maybe being in the atmosphere itself brings it out, but I was shocked at how many buildings were destroyed. It seemed like we drove for miles and miles and saw building after building after building destroyed. The work needed to repair Haiti (even though many of us do not understand how the living there was before) will go for a long time. It will take many hours, days, weeks, months, and probably years to complete the task. I pray we will not forget Haiti as the months go by.
Again, I will update more later. I'm exhausted. I'm drained spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally tonight. However, God was quite gracious through our time there. I was amazed at how He used us to offer hope in the midst of tragedy. Lord, may your gospel prevail!
First of all, I was amazed at the number of churches in Haiti. I pray the gospel will shine bright in the midst of darkness.
Secondly, I don't think the pictures on TV or the Internet do justice to the damage. Maybe being in the atmosphere itself brings it out, but I was shocked at how many buildings were destroyed. It seemed like we drove for miles and miles and saw building after building after building destroyed. The work needed to repair Haiti (even though many of us do not understand how the living there was before) will go for a long time. It will take many hours, days, weeks, months, and probably years to complete the task. I pray we will not forget Haiti as the months go by.
Again, I will update more later. I'm exhausted. I'm drained spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally tonight. However, God was quite gracious through our time there. I was amazed at how He used us to offer hope in the midst of tragedy. Lord, may your gospel prevail!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Going to Haiti...with Christ and His Gospel
My trip to Haiti is coming up this weekend. God-willing, we'll leave VA on Friday and head to stay with my in-laws on Friday night because our plane leaves at 6:00 Saturday morning. From there we will fly to Miami and then to Santo Domingo before driving into Haiti. This week I had an interesting encounter after talking with someone about this trip. He/she looked me in the eyes and told me I was wasting my money and my time for going. He/she said I should have given that money to the Red Cross because they could have used it to do a better job than I could.
Before I go any further, this person was not a church member. However, it does represent (I think) the thinking of many people who are on the membership roles of churches all over the place. And, to be fair, if I am only going to help those who are suffering, perhaps the Red Cross (or several other organizations) could do it better. Maybe this person has a legitimate pattern of thinking. In the moment, however, I looked back at her/him and said, "except Jesus told us to go."
Now, was I wrong? I mean, Jesus didn't actually tell me to go to Haiti. Of course I was speaking generally about the command to go, but is that even the case? In the Great Commission passage it's about making disciples. The command in Matthew 28:18-20 is not "go", but it is "make disciples". So maybe this particular person was correct in saying what he/she said. It could be stated that we are called to make disciples where we are. That is certainly true. But we must also realize that the gospel is be proclaimed to all nations.
Let me get back on track here. My main point here is that if we go to Haiti (or across the street, or anywhere else in the world) with the intentions of only helping people, then there are many organizations that can do it better than we can. However, by God's grace, I have been saved and am now part of His church. And the church has been empowered to take the gospel to the nations. And not only have they been empowered and entrusted with the gospel, but they have also the promise that Christ is with them. So when I think about going to Haiti to help, I must remember that the Red Cross cannot do it better because they have not been entrusted with the gospel of grace. I wonder how many people (and churches) miss that when we involve ourselves with mercy ministry (here or abroad), that we are serving so that we might get the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are still lost in their sin. To make disciples of all nations begins with sharing the gospel in all nations. May we go forth with boldness realizing that we have both the gospel and the Christ of the gospel with us.
Before I go any further, this person was not a church member. However, it does represent (I think) the thinking of many people who are on the membership roles of churches all over the place. And, to be fair, if I am only going to help those who are suffering, perhaps the Red Cross (or several other organizations) could do it better. Maybe this person has a legitimate pattern of thinking. In the moment, however, I looked back at her/him and said, "except Jesus told us to go."
Now, was I wrong? I mean, Jesus didn't actually tell me to go to Haiti. Of course I was speaking generally about the command to go, but is that even the case? In the Great Commission passage it's about making disciples. The command in Matthew 28:18-20 is not "go", but it is "make disciples". So maybe this particular person was correct in saying what he/she said. It could be stated that we are called to make disciples where we are. That is certainly true. But we must also realize that the gospel is be proclaimed to all nations.
Let me get back on track here. My main point here is that if we go to Haiti (or across the street, or anywhere else in the world) with the intentions of only helping people, then there are many organizations that can do it better than we can. However, by God's grace, I have been saved and am now part of His church. And the church has been empowered to take the gospel to the nations. And not only have they been empowered and entrusted with the gospel, but they have also the promise that Christ is with them. So when I think about going to Haiti to help, I must remember that the Red Cross cannot do it better because they have not been entrusted with the gospel of grace. I wonder how many people (and churches) miss that when we involve ourselves with mercy ministry (here or abroad), that we are serving so that we might get the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are still lost in their sin. To make disciples of all nations begins with sharing the gospel in all nations. May we go forth with boldness realizing that we have both the gospel and the Christ of the gospel with us.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Couple of Ways to Donate for my Trip to Haiti
There are a few ways you can donate to my trip to Haiti if you are interested. I have added this "Chip In" widget to the right for you to donate through paypal. You can click the link there and it will take you where you need to go.
However, you can also donate through the organization that I'm going with by clicking here. If you do this, you can put my name in the "Notes" box on that page to assure I get the credit. If, by God's grace, we raise more than the $1,200 needed to go, the rest will go for supplies and materials for the trip. Thanks again!
If you do not feel led to give, would you please commit to pray for us as we seek to minister to the suffering and take the gospel to Haiti?
If you happen to live around Pulaski, VA we would love for you to come out to First Baptist Church on Saturday night for chili, potato bar, music, and fellowship. We are taking donations for Disaster Relief of Haiti.
However, you can also donate through the organization that I'm going with by clicking here. If you do this, you can put my name in the "Notes" box on that page to assure I get the credit. If, by God's grace, we raise more than the $1,200 needed to go, the rest will go for supplies and materials for the trip. Thanks again!
If you do not feel led to give, would you please commit to pray for us as we seek to minister to the suffering and take the gospel to Haiti?
If you happen to live around Pulaski, VA we would love for you to come out to First Baptist Church on Saturday night for chili, potato bar, music, and fellowship. We are taking donations for Disaster Relief of Haiti.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Going to Haiti
I just found out that I am going to Haiti February 27 - March 5. This is a great opportunity to serve/help those who have been through so much recently. I am going through Youth on Mission. I am honored to be able to be used in this way. Below are a few prayer requests I can think of right now.
pray that the Lord would be glorified in everything I do
pray that the Lord will continue to work in Haiti now and that we are able to jump in and work wherever needed
pray that we are able to raise enough money to go ($1,200 per person) and buy an abundance of materials to take into Haiti
pray for those leading this trip that, by God's grace, all will work out for His glory
pray for open doors for the gospel
pray we will be faithful to walk through those doors with a boldness to proclaim Jesus
As you know, the people of Haiti need much prayer. We need much prayer. There is far more to pray for than I have listed here. Thank you so much for partnering in the gospel with us.
If you would like more information about the trip, the needs, or anything else, please do not hesitate to let me know. If you would like to help with funds there are a couple of ways you can do that. You can go through Youth on Mission Donate and put my name in the "notes" box at the bottom. You can also send something to me if you would like. If I happen to raise more than the $1,200 needed to go, all extra will go for more supplies to take into Haiti. Thanks again for your partnership in advance.
UPDATE: Here is a tentative schedule.
pray that the Lord would be glorified in everything I do
pray that the Lord will continue to work in Haiti now and that we are able to jump in and work wherever needed
pray that we are able to raise enough money to go ($1,200 per person) and buy an abundance of materials to take into Haiti
pray for those leading this trip that, by God's grace, all will work out for His glory
pray for open doors for the gospel
pray we will be faithful to walk through those doors with a boldness to proclaim Jesus
As you know, the people of Haiti need much prayer. We need much prayer. There is far more to pray for than I have listed here. Thank you so much for partnering in the gospel with us.
If you would like more information about the trip, the needs, or anything else, please do not hesitate to let me know. If you would like to help with funds there are a couple of ways you can do that. You can go through Youth on Mission Donate and put my name in the "notes" box at the bottom. You can also send something to me if you would like. If I happen to raise more than the $1,200 needed to go, all extra will go for more supplies to take into Haiti. Thanks again for your partnership in advance.
UPDATE: Here is a tentative schedule.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Errbody in the Church Helpin' Lottie
May we give for missions!
In all seriousness, the Lottie Moon Christmas offering will help send missionaries to places that do not have access to the gospel. I pray we will raise up this year, spend less on ourselves, and more for the sake of the gospel.
In all seriousness, the Lottie Moon Christmas offering will help send missionaries to places that do not have access to the gospel. I pray we will raise up this year, spend less on ourselves, and more for the sake of the gospel.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday's Question
What do you feel is the most effective way for a church to be involved with international missions? I'm thinking in terms of adopting a people group, short-term missions, partnerships with missionaries, etc.
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