Several years ago, I was invited to join a group of Cru students from my campus, on what would be my first mission trip. I was their faculty representative, but I wasn’t prepared for that invitation–an invitation that came from our local Cru director and ended with: “I would love for you to pray about going with us.”
Coincidentally, I had just completed a year-long mentored study on discipleship using Greg Ogden’s Discipleship Essentials. The study had already sparked an enthusiasm about reaching others, and I had started using the typical “use me” prayer. And it seemed like the next morning that I woke up to this email invitation.
I was draped in excitement and concern. One wonderful aspect of being university faculty is the flexibility to be away for a week during spring, summer, or winter breaks to serve God through missions.
However, I’m a tenure-track assistant professor who uses spring break to tackle major writing goals.
On the other hand, I was reminded of a quote I heard at a recent A Common Call conference, “The greatest opportunity you will ever have in life is to be a disciple of Christ.”
I agreed to go.
While on the mission trip, I ended each night in prayer and recorded reflections in the form of “lessons learned.” Let me pass on several of those reflections:
Pray. Ask God to prepare your heart and mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you counsel and the words to speak.
Prepare a Bible study to share with students. The topic of discipleship was not on my radar before my recently completed course. By the time of the trip, I was eager to share with the students about the importance of discipleship and why we are to prioritize it.
Memorize several verses that carry you through the gospel story: creation, the fall, the coming Messiah, redemption through Christ, and salvation. As you’re learning from the students you’re with, the students will also model your style of evangelism.
Be flexible and willing to serve. One sweltering day, I sat outside in the dirt, without a chair or towel, and colored with kids so their parents could focus on what my student team had to share.
Be spiritually and physically fit for the kingdom (what became my favorite one-liner upon my return). We walked for miles, climbed mountains, slid down dirt roads, and jumped over large rocks to reach families. Not all mission trips are like this, but being spiritually and physically fit will serve you well regardless of the type of mission.
Facilitate a discussion with students about their strengths and previous experiences with missions. You’ll learn a lot, and the information is useful for assigning initial tasks as you and the students on your trip grow in their comfort with greeting others and sharing the gospel.
I use active learning techniques in the classroom to help students more deeply connect with the course material. I took those techniques with me on missions. In a way, the mission trip was an active learning experience itself—one that deepened my understanding of Matthew 28:18-20.
Because when we’re on missions, we’re all students.
By the time you read this, I will have completed my third mission trip, Lord willing. It truly is the greatest opportunity.
Tiffany Washington
UGA