Quotes from today’s sermon and mission trip report that perfectly explain my church’s perspective:
“A mission trip is about doing. It is about action and service.” – Associate Minister, FCC Ann Arbor
The students going on the trip had to explain to their peers they were not going to go around and preach about Jesus:
“No, it’s more of a work trip.”
And one even had to assure their peers this was not because they had done something and needed to earn community service hours.
“Faith, without works, is dead.” – Book of James, chapter 2
“What are you doing to help the poor?” – Catholic Nun to student, who grew up to relay the story at a Cass Community dinner as one that shaped him, which is where our Associate Minister picked it up.
“I want Christians to be equated with a people who help other people because we want to. We help other people because it’s a response to our faith.” – Associate Minister, FCC Ann Arbor
“I’m going to keep working for the day that people assume that Christians on a mission trip are peace keeping servants working for a just world, that we’re not hypocritical pious people with some agenda to push.” – Associate Minister, FCC Ann Arbor
“Put our Faith into Action.” – Associate Minister, FCC Ann Arbor
“How lucky we are to be part of a church that focuses on love and community instead of fear and guilt.” – Student on mission trip