ON MISSION IN THE BIG APPLE
This June, we have an incredible opportunity to go on mission in New York City. Not only is the Big Apple is the largest city in the country, but it is also full of diversity and culture. The world literally lives in New York City. This is the reason the International Mission Board send their future missionaries to this city to be trained to the particular people group they will be reaching. With so many communities in the city representing different cultures, it’s a beautiful thing to see. However, with different cultures come different religions. This is why we must go.
Jesus has commanded us to go on mission. Acts 1:8 is a clear example of that. We go on mission in our city, state, country, and to the ends of the world. Going to New York City is part of fulfilling the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. Reaching out to people who are different than us in almost every way helps us become better followers of Jesus. When we go on mission outside of our comfort zone, it stretches us to become more dependent upon God. It is through that dependence that we can see the gospel more clearly. The result of an experience like that is when we get home, we can see the needs of our own community clearer.
This trip is good for us as a church because we need to see and reach the needs of our community with the gospel message as the primary driving force. Without the gospel, we do all things in vain. Through the gospel, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. What a great responsibility we have! Romans 10:14–15 states, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” Let us be people who have beautiful feet!
On this trip, we will partner with Graffiti 2 Baptist Church. G2 is located in the South Bronx of NYC in a community of need with significant challenges. Part of our going is to assist this wonderful church with its community outreach. We will help run their annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a tournament that attracts 100s of community members. We will also be assisting in some remodeling of their church building, administration tasks, and leading their midweek service. There will be something for everyone to do on this trip! Will there be free time in the city? Yes! Mission work is first and primary, however, there will be an opportunity to explore the city.
This Sunday, March 15, at 12:30PM in the Quad there will be an interest meeting. Come and hear how you can be a part of this great mission trip. The dates of the trip are June 22–28.
If you have any questions, please contact me! For more information about the Graffiti 2 Baptist Church visit their website: graffiti2ministries.org.