Living on Mission – Stories of Student Missionaries

Jesus Christ told his first disciples, “Come, follow Me.” That invitation is given to us today. Have you decided to follow Jesus on this journey? What will it mean for you–I mean you–to respond to this invitation wholeheartedly?

The following is a story taken from the lives of college students that have decided to see where Jesus is going and to follow him. Click here for more personal stories like this one.

Beyond the Christian Bubble

by Donald King

Like an ostrich with its head in the sand, some Christians choose to live in a Christian bubble, isolated from the world by extensive involvement in the church and surrounded by Christian friends. It’s a ‘safe’ and often impenetrable lifestyle that protects Christians from the effects of a lost world – and keeps a lost world lost!

This summer, more than 330 students answered the call to pop the Christian bubble and carry the message of Christ from the comfort of their sanctuary to the real world as student missionaries through the North American Mission Board. Accepting a four to 10-week assignment of sharing Christ and starting churches, students came face to face with those who didn’t know Christ.

Thomas serves as an Innovator at the Yellowstone National Park where he works a full-time job and serves as a student missionary. He recently reflected on his experience:

“As I prepared for the work I would be doing this summer, I was a little unsure about what to expect. I’ve done summer missions in the past and I’ve been involved with many kinds of church ministries. I study theology at the Baptist College of Florida and am blessed to live with a Christian family, friends and have Christian mentors.

“As I prepared to leave all that behind, I realized that my life is very much like a Christian bubble. Doing missions in Yellowstone has popped that bubble. Here, I live in a secular environment where I encounter the popular culture of the world which includes alcohol, partying, foul language and postmodern thought.

“I am building meaningful relations with people from other religions and with people who have no religion and I am able to show them my faith. . . . I am witnessing a glimpse of the reason God so loves the world, the reason He went to such great lengths to bridge the gap sin constructed.

“I have been able to share the full Gospel on a personal level with four people and share my testimony with several others. People have even come to me for spiritual advice and with their prayer concerns.”

Laura, a Sojourner missionary serving in Houston, saw first-hand the devastation of poverty. While involved in her ministry assignment, she shares an experience that left an indelible impression:

“I was standing outside one of our centers as a woman was leaving the parking lot. She began pulling at the caution tape that surrounded the construction area next to our building.

“I thought she had a mental problem or something. She was wearing a shirt that was almost too small to cover her top and lacked the strings that had once laced up the sides of the shirt.

“When I asked if I could help her, she said that she wanted the construction tape to lace up her shirt so that she wouldn’t be exposed.

“When I first saw the woman, I thought she didn’t care that her shirt was revealing; however, her words told me differently. She was just trying to make do with what she had.

I pulled off some caution tape, laced up her shirt and prayed with her.”

As long as we seek the ‘safe’ place in our Christian bubble, we aren’t going to have experiences like Thomas and Laura. We’ll continue to have the warm, fuzzy feelings that stroke our egos and build our own little kingdoms on Earth.

I believe Jesus meant it when He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19-20 NIV)

For those who are obedient, there is great reward.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. {35} For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, {36} I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ {37} “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? {38} When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? {39} When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ {40} “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” (Matthew 25:34-40 NIV)

Pop the bubble! Answer His call . . . tell His story . . . change your world!

 

Exploring God’s call to missions?

Visit www.answerthecall.net to start your journey or call
1 (800) 462-8657, ext. 6458.