Creative Mission Trip – Last Day Thoughts

If you follow me at all, you probably know that I’m on a Mission Trip for Creatives this week. I thought I’d share a few things that I learned this week:

• It’s pretty amazing what God can do through a few people who are willing to use their gifts. On our two-man team (one of four teams) alone, we served 6 churches, provided about 60 hours of complimentary communications work, and gave an estimated $8,300 in goods and services away. But that’s not even the amazing part. The amazing part is how God is going to take our humble efforts and multiply them for his amazing purposes. That is something to get excited about.
• There are some churches that are doing amazing things here in the Albany / Hudson Valley area. It is a good reminder to me that in spite of size, resources, and communications ability, God can and is moving in mighty ways.
• The creative communication of the Gospel is of the utmost importance. My new friend Jon Rogers said it well on his blog:

No, we didn’t build a church building or construct an orphanage. No we didn’t run a VBS or witness on the streets. We have created sustainable solutions for churches to effectively communicate an ultimate message of God’s never-ending love for each community these churches are involved in. Yeah, we all know that design is not what’s going to grow the churches we work with on this trip but it can help to remove the barriers for outsiders looking in. It’s still and always will be all about Jesus and his people devoted to growing in their faith and reaching out to others.

• It’s really important to know your calling and work where you (and your gifts) are celebrated. Sometimes when we get into the daily grind, it’s easy to forget that God has called us and gifted us. This week was just what I needed for renewal and rededicating.

Some people that I would like to thank for making this trip possible if you will indulge me for a moment:

• My church (Calvary) for getting behind the vision enough to release me from my duties for a week.
• Cleve Persinger, the guy who dreamed up Creative Missions.
• Andy Burns and Eric Murrell, two guys who really came alongside Cleve to make it happen.
• Michael Buckingham, Danielle Harland, & Phil Bowdle who were team leaders.
• My parents who gave a generous donation to make this trip possible.
• My amazing wife who stayed home to take care of the kiddos; and my inlaws for coming to help her out.
• All of our sponsors/partners (Center For Church Communication, Mid America Seminary, Media Salt, Hudson Baptist Association, Our Shirts Don’t Suck, and others too numerous to name).

If you’d like to hear more about Creative Missions, I’d love to chat with you and tell you our stories. Please feel free to give me a shout. If you’re interested in future trips, check out www.creativemissions.to. If you’d like to help sponsor a future trip, hit up Cleve.