“Not everyone is beautiful or fit or fun or smart or talented or happy. But everyone – everyone – needs love. And here’s the thing… everyone IS loved by Jesus. So the question is simply this: which Christian friend in their lives will let them know?” –Rev. Greg Finke, from Dwelling 1:14
One of the things I love about St. Luke is that we talk a lot about what it looks like to follow Jesus, to join him on his mission in our every day lives. However, if you’re anything like I was a few years ago, you might just be wondering, “Where do I even begin?”
There are many ways to learn something, but in my experience one of the best ways is to find someone who’s really good at what you want to do and then spend regular time with them. Watch what they do, ask questions, observe their approach, try for yourself, invite their feedback, try again, and so on. That’s how the disciples were shaped by Jesus, through their everyday experiences with him over time.
Another way to really learn something is to immerse yourself fully in it. If the daily rhythm of work, school, family and other commitments make the above suggestion seem impossible, yet you long to learn how to live this out, maybe a completely new adventure and immersion experience is the jump-start you need!
This winter the St. Luke community will be focused on Missional Living as a mark of discipleship. One of the opportunities to grow in this area is through a foreign mission trip to Guatemala with the organization Groundwork Guatemala. For a week (Jan. 21-28, 2017), our team will be immersed in the adventure of a new missional context.
What might it be like for you to dive in and spend a week observing how Groundwork Guatemala does this in a cultural context that differs from your own? What might Jesus show you through an organization that models what it looks like to tangibly show the love of Jesus?
You’ll likely find yourself outside your comfort zone due to language barriers, living conditions, and socioeconomic realities, but you will experience what it is to lean into how Jesus wants to teach you, shape you, and use you.
According to their website, “Groundwork Guatemala is all about connecting people. Our call is to connect the lost to the Living Word, Jesus Christ, then equip them for a life of service to their Savior and Lord.”
That sounds a lot like Greg Finke’s words: “But everyone – everyone – needs love. And here’s the thing… everyone IS loved by Jesus. So the question is simply this: which Christian friend in their lives will let them know?”
Would you consider immersing yourself missionally in Guatemala this winter? Would you consider joining others from St. Luke who want to learn fresh ways to love others and connect them to Jesus by being immersed with Groundwork Guatemala, watching their example of being a Christian friend?
“Jesus is on a mission and he invites you to join him. He does not give you a mission to do for him. He is on a mission and invites you to come with him.” (Rev. Greg Finke, Joining Jesus on His Mission)
If you’d like to learn more about this mission trip, ask questions, or join Jesus on his mission in Guatemala this January, we want to hear from you! Please contact Jennifer Hein, or come to one of our brief information sessions on Sundays 10/2 and 10/9 immediately following the late worship service in rooms 104/5
