When I think about our incredible summer, two verses come to mind: Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know”, and Proverbs 16:9 – “A man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps”
We had a
n amazing summer. It was full of mission trips, camps, bible studies, worship, service, hard work, fun and laughter. We had a record number of people join us this year for our trips. We had a total of 111 people that came from 23 different churches who served with us on our mission teams this summer. Those people shared the gospel in the mountains of West Virginia, in Georgia, and along the coast of North Carolina in two different communities. Not to mention the 3 local camps we did in Alamance County as well. We were able to share God’s love, and the hope that He gives with nearly 1,000 people! We saw people receive Christ (children, teens, and adults) as their savior. Others were rededicating their life to serve Christ, to be a godly influence in their school, church, and families. Several expressed they felt like God was calling them into full-time Christian service. Here are just a few of many quotes from this past summer:
“I’ve been a Christian for a long time, but this trip has literally changed my life”.
“Please pray for me as I feel like God is calling me into ministry”.
“This year God is working in my heart, and I know God is telling me to be a leader at my school”.
“Hey everyone……I just got saved”
.
“Never have I felt so much love, and acceptance than from this team”.
“I am officially giving my heart to God”.
“Before coming on this trip, I had got off the wrong path, but I am rededicating my life to God”.
“Next year, I want to do all three trips”!
From a parent: “my child has come back a different person”.
From a local pastor who had students go on a trip: “those kids came back and have us all fired up”.
From former mission teamers who visited our camps: “Don’t take these trips for granted”. “Decide now to serve God and live for Him”. “God is always pursuing us”.
Wait! There’s more. Just heard from one of the pastors of a church where we did a camp. He said “two new families started coming to church since their children attended sports camp while we were there. One of them came forward during a recent service to receive Christ as Savior”! How exciting!
I shared the two verses at the beginning, because there was so much up in the air with planning our trips. We had new destinations, new schedules, more people than ever before, but God. We tried to plan accordingly, but it was truly God who directed our steps, and He did things we didn’t even know about. Far more than we could have ever imagined. All praise to God! He alone is worthy.
Mark
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