Shane? Going on a Missions Trip!?

I can answer that question, YES. In just about 10 days actually. This will be my first missions trip EVER! And while God Calls us to LIVE on Mission, I feel that this has also just begun in my life and I am beginning to take God seriously as his call to us.

When Jerrad lopes (not Lopez) asked me to go on this trip my first response was……(with a blank stare right into Jerrads eyes) Seriously, I didn’t have anything to say and Jerrad left my house with me saying “bye!” I was scared to death and thought to myself “seriously Me?” I am the biggest worrier on earth. But as he left I could already feel the Holy Spirit at work, A feeling of comfort, and clarity and the words came right out of my mouth as I was talking it over with Carly (my beautiful wife) “I need to go on the trip, I don’t have an excuse!” WHAT!! I said that!? While it came out of my mouth, I truly feel that this was the Spirit speaking to me and telling me “You are going I don’t care what you think”.

That brings me to where I am at. Going on a missions trip to Serbia in 10 days. While at times I get scared to death about being apart of Gods Plan, and specifically leaving my business and my Family for a week. I am also excited he has wanted to use me. He would be more effective not using me, or any of us but he lets us join him if we just say YES. I have needed to realize that spreading the Good News is what we as Christians are called to do. If we truly believe in Heaven and Hell, and are called to have a loving heart, shouldn’t the World know about Jesus and the beautiful power of discipleship and the way Jesus lived his life? He poured his time here on earth relationally and intentionally with 12 dudes that would spread the Good News. Shouldn’t we spread that, as he calls us to do in Matthew 28:18-20? My answer is Yes, And I pray and ask for prayer that this continues until God brings me home to meet him in Heaven.

Before we go it has been hard for me in the realization that I do not know everything and wont know everything, EVER. And while I can prepare to know as much as possible I have needed to let go and let God do what he wants from me on this trip. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing While I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on Human wisdom, but on Gods Power”. We are going for a pastors conference, who knows if that is where we will end up. I just Pray that Gods will be done with us on this trip. Discipleship and intentional relationships is one of the Greatest Gifts God has given us and Jesus displayed its power. It has changed my life. Let it change yours, if it hasn’t already.

Shane Hillier