Thoughts on Missions

A couple of days ago, I shared some of the notes my daughter passed on to me from her missions class with Professor Chris Dewelt at Ozark Christian College. Today, some more. He challenges his students with a question that needs an answer.

Do we believe that only those who have heard and consciously rejected God are condemned (to hell)?

If we answer that question "Yes," then we have no business getting on the plane, or - at the very least - we better keep our mouths shut about our faith while we share our food and medical relief with the people we visit. Think about it...if a person is going to be condemned to hell only of he or she consciously rejects God, than it is an "injustice" (in Prof. Dewelt's words) to offer them the chance to reject Him! As he says, "If we keep the message of the cross, everybody is in, right?"

But if that were the case, why would Jesus so passionately urge us to spread the news about Him?

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] 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.... (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT)

This is exactly what Prof. Dewelt wants his students to realize. We must share the news about Jesus Christ, crucified and resurrected, and urge all people everywhere to choose to follow Him. The Bible never suggests that people have hope if they don't hear about Jesus. We have to tell the world about Him!

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:17, NLT)

So, with Prof. Dewelt, I challenge you...WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

Hola-Darren here

I can not believe that in about 10 days I will be taking a leap of faith quite unlike I have ever taken before. THis is my first missions trip and as I look back on how it all came about, I am truly amazed at how God work.

I remember the day when Jim Martin first came to Life Spring Church to talk about his mission work and I must be honest and say that when I first saw that we had another person speaking about another mission, I thought, "Oh well, this will be nice, but no way will I ever become involved." When will I ever learn to stop saying "never" when it involves anything to do with our Glorious Lord....you see, I know better, and I know that as soon as I say "never", God will always remind me that anything is possible through Him and that he has a plan for me.

This time, God's plan was to touch me in a way I never envisioned thus starting this amazing journey that we are on. As I listened to Jim that day and witnessed his passion for serving the Honduran people, especially the children, I was moved. After the service, a few of us were standing around talking to Jim and he suggested that we come to Honduras for a short term missions trip. I was amazed, normally I would have been thinking "there is no way", but instead all I could think was, "YES"!!!!

After speaking to my beautiful wife about how I was feeling and listening to the excitement of my 14 year old daughter as she spoke about wanting to go, I decided to pray about the situation. I continued to pray about it and every time I came up with another obstacle that would conveniently allow me NOT to go, God would remove the obstacle and find ways to encourage me instead. Finally, I was able to see that this trip IS part of God's plan.

I can not wait for April 9Th, when I board a plane with 9 of my fellow servants to see how God is going to use this trip to touch not only the people of Honduras but those of us at Life Spring Church. I am so thankful for all of the support that we have received from my friends and family (especially my wonderful wife) that will allow us to undertake this exciting endeavor.

God, I thank-you for this wonderful oppurtunity and I pray that you use us to touch as many lives as possible. Thank you for reminding me to put things in YOUR hands and to not be so quick to say "never" :-)

Hi, I am Jennifer Genova-

How exciting to think we are leaving for Honduras in 11 days! What a journey we each have already been on. I have always admired fellow Christians that seemed to really know what path God was leading them on. When we as a church first started talking about a mission trip to Honduras I told myself that I couldn't or wouldn't make this decision without putting it in front of the Lord. Well, here I am! For the first time in my life I feel like I asked what His will was for my life, listened and am following through. Actually more that He is following through, this has only been possible with His help. With the help of many of you as well, I became fully funded, one thing that seemed so overwhelming.

Sometime ago I read a verse that I had read quite a few times before but it struck me in a different place. That verse is Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." When we began discussions about Honduras and our role there this verse kept coming back to me. All the nations need to hear about the gift of everlasting life and how excited I am to be sharing with those in Honduras. What a gift we have to share!

Hia, Its Anna.

So im going to Honduras because I've only ever heard about all the things God can do. Im in 7th grade and im a preachers kid so ive been hearing all about bringing people to God and the way He can save people my entire life. But ive never really seen it and i think this will be a good way to see and excperiance the full power of the God i know. I feel that this trip will bring me closer to God and help me understand a little more all the things ive heard since i was little. As the trip draws nearer i get more and more excited and begin to wonder at the powers of God. Im totally psyched for the trip and have very high expectations.

Hi...this is Amber Ivey. :)

Okay, I'm going to Honduras because I want to see people come to God. See people get saved, help people get saved, I want people to see my God, to love Him. To know that He sent his Son to save everyone in the world and that he loves them. I'm excited to play soccer with Hondurian children! I'm a middle schooler, in the 8th grade. It will be a great opportunity for me and the other teenagers to see God working within people and it will show us how lucky we have it and how privileged we are here. When I first heard about the trip I didn't know if it would happen, then watching these past 9 or so months how God led it from the idea stage to making it really happen is amazing :).

March Madness in Tegucigulpa

If you are a fan of college basketball, as I am, this is such a great time of year. This year was supposed to be extra special. My favorite team was supposed to win the championship, scheduled to be awarded after the final game on April 5. That wasn't just my opinion (also translated as "wishful thinking"...that was the word of many experts). You probably caught the key term in that expression. Was supposed to. Championships aren't awarded on the basis of what is supposed to happen.

My team lost last weekend. Other "favorites" have lost since, beaten by teams with lessor talent who were more successful - at least, for one game - as executing as a team.

That got me to thinking about our team that is going to Honduras. I'm thankful for each member. Each of us brings skills and abilities that are unique. We've got the greatest Coach in all the universe. And I'm excited about the victories God is going to use us to win.

Inventory Opportunity Update

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE... Reading glasses are available at THE DOLLAR TREE for $1. This is important because reading glasses - all powers, but especially 150 - 250, as many pairs as we can get - are going to be helpful in our trip, WHICH TAKES OFF IN 15 DAYS!!!

The Ultimate Goal of Our Mission

The college I attended has a saying...

The sun never sets on our alumni.

Since the days the school opened its doors, Ozark Christian College has prepared and sent graduates literally around the world. Now my daughters are enrolled there, taking a class led by the head of the missions' department. After several years serving the Lord in Chile, he decided that he could multiply his work by devoting his time preparing others.

As our team was meeting this past Sunday, Natasha whispered to me that she had some notes from Professor Chris Dewelt's class that would be helpful to us. I ask her to summarize those thoughts for us to contemplate in these final days before our departure.

Let's start by thinking about the ultimate goal of our trip. Are we going to feed a few people? care for some of their medical needs? fix a roof for someone who needs better shelter? We are going to do those things, but are they the ultimate reason for our trip?

Professor Dewelt suggests that the ultimate goal of every missions effort is WORSHIP. God deserves the praise of every single person on the face of the earth. Motivated by our own devotion to the Lord, we are moved to serve His purpose by serving the needs of His creation. God is praised through that service, and God is praised as we worship. And ultimately we hope people will be drawn to worship the Lord as a result of our service.

In Natasha's notes, Professor Dewelt says it this way:

Missions begins in worship, is cultivated by worship, and terminates in worship.

We do hope that people will praise God because we go to Honduras. But that is ultimately their choice. We plan to serve either way. And God will be glorified!

Team Member-Mike

Hi I am Mike Wells and I am a member of the team making the trip to Honduras. I have been a member of Life Spring Christian Church for a year now and it has changed my life. God has reached out to me through Pastor Dale and many other members of the church. It is exciting to have a more positive aspect on my life and the possibilities that exist through Christ.

I have worked in law enforcement for nine years now. I have grown accustom to seeing people at the lowest points in their lives. After a while I found myself growing numb to the pain that I watched people endure on a daily basis. Through Life Spring Church the Lord has helped to soften my heart toward the needs of other people. I view this trip to Honduras as an opportunity for me to bring a small piece of God to a group of people that do not enjoy the luxuries that so many of us take for granted. But I think the most exciting part of the trip is the unknown. I don't know for sure what we will be able to give the people of Honduras and I don't know what I will learn in return but I have a strong FAITH that through the Lord beautiful things will happen!

Thank you to everyone at Life Spring not making the trip. You have been working hard behind the scenes to help make the trip possible.

-Mike

Meet The Team...Part 1

Who are we and why are we going to Honduras?

If you are reading these words, you probably know at least one person who is on our team...maybe more. That's why you're interested in this adventure. Perhaps you would be interested in learning more about the people who will be working with your friend / loved one.

Over the next few days, prior to our trip, we will encourage the members of the team to take turns sharing a little about themselves and why they decided to be part of this project.

So...hi, my name is Dale Ohmart. And I'm simply amazed by what God has done.

It all started with a couple of simple invitations. First, I invited Jim Martin to come and share Honduras Ministries with LifeSpring Christian Church. At the time, I thought it would be good to suggest that our congregation raise funds to send some kids to school. I was going to be really thrilled and impress if we were able to get enough for ten students.

The second invitation was from Jim Martin, who invited us to think about visiting Honduras and working for a week on a short missions trip. At the time, I thought, "How nice! How cool it would be if something like that could happen." Of course, to tell the entire truth, I also thought that it was a pipe dream. Like some of those things you say, "I'm really going to do that someday" about.

But after the service, people began to talk. And I realized that God was up to something. I also wondered if I could keep up. I mean, I really wanted to see a group go...and I wanted to be part of it. But I didn't think it was possible. For a lot of reasons. So I had to wait and see. Sending a group to Honduras was not something our church was in a position to simply make happen. And being part of that group going to Honduras was not something I could simply make happen. But God could.

And He is making it happen...in three weeks. God has something significant for us to accomplish in Honduras. I'm deeply grateful that I have the chance to be involved with it. And I'm excited to share this journey with some really, really good people.

Let me introduce you to them...

You Are What You Wear (the sequel)...

Here it is!!!




Doesn't that look great! Now, for the sake of full discloser, we decided to use blue (for the outline of the map) and white (for the letter spelling "Honduras") instead of what you see here. That decision was made because the national colors of Honduras are blue and white. But I really, REALLY love how this turned out.

One of my favorite features of the shirt is the phrase on the front. In case you can't read it, it says, "No Reserves! No Retreats! No Regrets!" That sums up the attitude we have when we get on the plane. We've got important things to do, and God willing, we're gonna get 'em done!

Congratulations to Alexis Spiegel and Amber Ivey for their work on this design.

You Are What You Wear...

That's what some people think. In fact, the women in my household enjoy watching a show called What Not To Wear. In each episode, two fashion experts take a person who has been nominated by family and friends for a fashion makeover that will, they believe, help that person - most often a woman (although I did see one episode featuring a man) - become more successful and happier. Actually, as reality shows go, this one is pretty useful.

The reason I'm talking about this is that yesterday I reviewed a design for a team t-shirt for our trip. It was AWESOME! (We'll post a picture of it as soon as possible.) Based on the production time we anticipate, I finalized a couple of details and we placed the order for the shirts. The cost for the shirt is going to be approximately $10.

The shirts will be available to anyone who is interested in identifying with and supporting the team. Contact LifeSpring at (816) 734-0741 if you are interested.

Starting Line...

Information is the "jewel" of our times. What do I mean? I mean that information is the key to succeeding in whatever is your pursuit. You need to acquire the right information to make effective decisions. And you need to dispense information to the right people in order to stimulate resourcing.

Thus, the Honduras Chronicles.

In June 2009, Jim Martin visited LifeSpring Christian Church to share the work of Honduras Ministries (www.hondurasministries.org). As he concluded the presentation, Jim invited his listeners to come, visit and serve in Honduras. Immediately, people began to dream. The net result is that a team of ten people from LifeSpring will be traveling to Honduras in April. We anticipate that it is only a beginning.

Since June, our team has been meeting regularly and working to prepare for the trip. Now, we can see the shadow of our date of departure coming at us...26 days from now. Obviously, we have reached the point where we are talking about final details relating to the trip plan.

One of those details has to do with sharing information. We believe God is at work in us and through us, and we want to share the journey with everyone who has contributed and who is interested. So this is the starting line of that process. This blog is going to be accessible for contributions from every member of our inaugural team...and members of potential teams in the future that travel from LifeSpring to Honduras. We'll talk about our experiences and our emotions. Hopefully all of us - both contributors and readers - will learn not just about Honduras and missions and ministry, but also about how God is working in the world and in us.

We invite you to subscribe...and to share with others.