Called to Go

At Second, missions is about seeing the Gospel reach more people in more places. That is why our church family not only supports missionaries, we send them. Every year, individuals from the Second family step into communities around the world with the hope of Christ. From the coffee mountains of Honduras to the south side of Chicago, we carry the Gospel wherever God opens a door. Our church family installs water filters in Guatemala, ministers in schools in England, and builds homes in Bulgaria. Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37b-38)

When you join a short-term mission trip, you bring the gifts and experiences God has given you to serve alongside others who love Jesus and make an eternal impact. You do not have to be a full-time missionary to go. Whether you are a dentist, accountant, architect, stay-at-home mom, student, or retiree, God can use your life to help advance His kingdom.

This past summer, some of our young adults traveled to Scunthorpe, England, to share the Gospel. During the day, they ministered in schools, and in the evenings, they connected with other young adults. In just one week, they invited people to an outreach event, prayer walked through the community, and watched people respond to the love and mercy of Jesus. They saw people who once had little interest in God become followers of Jesus. For one week, they left Houston for a place many of us had never heard of and God used their obedience to make an eternal difference.

Another member of our church family, an oral surgeon, joined our team in Honduras and used his training to provide surgeries that many people could not otherwise access. He simply offered his gifts to the Lord, and God used them to not only care for essential physical needs but also open doors for people to hear and receive the Gospel.

So what does it take to go on a short-term mission trip? You do not need all the answers, and you do not need years of theological training. You only need a willing heart and a desire to serve. God can use your story, your skills, and your availability in ways you may never imagine. Maybe this is the year He is calling you to go. Maybe this year He is inviting you to step into the harvest.