In each Epistle, this column features a single question to which our pastors are asked to reply.
It is usually connected to the issue’s theme and crafted to reveal the unique personalities and experiences of our beloved leaders.

If you have participated in a mission trip, where did you go and what impacted you the most? 
If you have not gone on a mission trip, please share where you would go and why.

Pastor June Barrow
Al and I made several trips to China. We felt deeply privileged in getting to meet many fellow Christians. For each of them, the decision to follow Christ was consequential, carrying risks in addition to the blessings that faith brings. They have no expectation that the government will be friendly to their faith. Courage is understood as essential to a life of Christian faith. Sacrifice is expected. Their faith humbled us.

Pastor Steven Grant
Since I have developed such a deep affection for the Israeli people over this past decade, my choice would be to travel to Israel. I would want to work either in the area of education, the cooperative ministries bringing together Christians, Muslims, and Jews, or in support of Messianic Jewish ministries. I would also be interested in relief or educational ministries in Judea and Samaria (formerly known as the West Bank).

Pastor Su Kim
My first mission trip was to Cancun after my sophomore year in high school in 1997. We ministered a few miles from the resort area and the contrast was stark. In the midst of great poverty, there was a deep hunger for the gospel and our team led several effective outreaches to remote areas. It was here that the Lord gave me a passion for global missions and evangelism that has not waned since.

Pastor Brad Rogers
A couple of years ago (2017), Lauren and I had the opportunity to travel to Cuba with several other pastors and their spouses from Southwest Florida. There were many powerful experiences on the trip, but I’m always most impacted by seeing how God’s Spirit is at work around the world and the unity that God provides us through the Spirit. Prior to our arrival, God had been working through Christians in Cuba and though we differed in language, culture, and experience, we were united by the Spirit. He who unites us as Christians is far greater than our differences.

Pastor Allen Walworth
Along with about 25 adults and teenagers from a church I was serving, I was privileged to spend a couple weeks in a rural area in Mexico. We conducted Vacation Bible Schools for the children, repaired houses in the community, offered free medical and dental care, and built an addition to a local church. The people there were so incredibly poor, but also so incredibly joyous, grateful, and content! We all returned home with a new perspective on the world, and a renewed desire to live with that same joy, gratitude, and contentment. A mission trip is actually a swapping of gifts, and we certainly received more precious gifts than we gave.

Another Perspective
The Epistle also asked Director of Missions Trusha Barner where she has traveled for mission trips over the years. Here is what she said:
“I have been blessed to be able to travel throughout my life both for missions and for the love of travel. God’s world is an amazing place and I love meeting people! My travels have included the Caribbean, Central America, East Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. Whether traveling across the nation or over-seas, my prayer is that I would learn something new and leave behind God’s love and grace wherever I may go.”