MEET ALEXIS LUNSFORD: she craves to share the Gospel and wants to share her desire for a relationship with Christ.
What led you to go on your first mission trip?
The short answer is I finally realized the importance and urgency of following the Great Commission. My first mission trip by myself was completely a God thing, and it would not have happened if God hadn't allowed it to happen. That is how I know I was supposed to go on that trip to Toronto because God provided the availability, as well as the funds for me to go, and I am so thankful for that trip.
Many say that there’s something addictive about mission trips. Thoughts on this?
I think this addictive feeling comes in when we as believers are all unified with one purpose and one goal; that goal being to glorify God and carry out the Great Commission. Actively being in the Word and being intentional to work for the advancement of His Kingdom, make mission trips different than any other road trip or community service project anyone could do. The people around us see that difference as well. When we are doing what God has called us to do, such as missions, we crave it more. We crave to share the Gospel, to have intentional conversations, to be attentive to others needs, and to grow our personal walk with Christ, the more we put it into practice.
What have you learned about yourself through serving internationally?
By serving intentionally, I have learned how distracted and oblivious I can be when it comes to living out my day-to-day life. I am not perfect, and I will be the first to tell you that. God hands me opportunities to share the Gospel or to be intentional with a relationship, and I miss it or just refuse see it because I doubt my ability to do what God has called me to do. By serving intentionally, I am reminded of other ways I can be intentional with my time, resources, and relationships.
How do you hope your mission trips will inspire others?
I hope that my mission trips will inspire other believers and nonbelievers the like in a few ways. I hope that my mission trips inspire other believer to follow the Great Commission and give them the love and desire to share the Gospel with others. I also hope my mission trips inspire non believers by seeing that a relationship with Christ is just that, a relationship. It's not a list of "do's and don't", but it's about having a relationship with Christ and building relationships with others.
What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about serving internationally?
Something that is super important to remember is that there are so many different ways to serve, and not everyone is called to serve the same way. When we got to Toronto and met the church pastor we were working with, we were grouped off and sent to work different sections of a Vacation Bible School. I really wanted to work a certain section/activity but I was sent to serve in a different way. That year, God used the kids I worked with and the conversations I had with them to grow me in more ways that I can imagine. Serving is going to look different every time, and it may not always be something that you wanted but you can rest in the fact that God has placed you in the position you are in for a reason.
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