This is the time of year when youth groups everywhere, including here in Fort Gibson, are gathering prayers and financial support for their yearly mission trips. Whether a domestic or foreign trip, God will surely bless the efforts of those who faithfully and diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). It is my sincere prayer that if you're not going on a mission trip, you would consider helping support someone who is going.

This idea of going on mission trips dates back to what's known as The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. The conversation (one of his last) takes place after the resurrection when Jesus was talking to his disciples before ascending back to his Father.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

This practice of teaching the life and message of Jesus Christ has been going on ever since.

One time, my buddy Glen and I were on a mission trip at a church camp in Spearfish, S.D. We were talking about the difference between local evangelism and mission work. About the only thing we could come up with is where you begin and end. Think about it. Even if you travel to the other side of the earth to teach the gospel, to those people it's a local work even though you are on a mission trip. The fact is, one soul is just as important as another.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In other words, we are to teach people locally, regionally, throughout our nation and worldwide. In spite of the fact that we are amazingly blessed with technology, there are still many people here at home and far away who have either not heard the message of Jesus Christ at all, or who need to see Jesus living in you.

Our Lord's words in Matthew 9:37 still ring true today. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

What Jesus said next is something we can all do. “… ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Translation? Prayer! James 5:13 tells us that the “prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

God's word assures us that if we sincerely ask him to use us to save souls, he will most certainly put us to work no matter who we are, no matter how young or old. As long as we live, we all have purpose here on earth. That purpose is to glorify God and bring souls to him through teaching his message, living out a Christ-like example, and helping support those who are called into the mission field, no matter where that may be.