A Global Missions Journey participant shares her perspective. Published with permission.

One afternoon, our GFM leaders told us that a guest speaker was going to tell us his testimony. I prepared myself for a middle-aged Caucasian man who would tell us about how he had grown up in the church but only as a young man did he realize Who God is and what He has done for him. The man who walked in was the complete opposite of what I expected, and his testimony was unlike any I had ever heard. An Indian pastor, he shared his story of moving here and hearing about our Savior for the first time. He told us about introducing the Gospel to his Hindu parents and continuing to spread the Gospel to other nonbelievers. By the time he completed his talk, I was misty-eyed and in awe of all that God had done in his life. It was so encouraging to me to be able to hear how God had turned a heart towards Him! God is so good!

Another afternoon, we participated in what my group nicknamed “The Card Game.” Spoiler alert: it was no game. During the simulation activity, one of the GFM speakers told us that many refugees leave behind jobs, their most favorite belongings, and even family members before moving or escaping from their country. He then shared a few stories he had heard from refugees, and each testimony was more heartbreaking than the last. By the time he had finished, I was not the only one who was misty-eyed. For us, this was simply a make-believe activity, but for many, this little “game” we played is their reality. Millions of people have to leave their country for myriad reasons, and numerous refugees barely make it out alive. This simulation showed me that we as Christians must strive to make their arrivals into foreign countries more bearable. I learned that it is absolutely essential to take up donations for them and their families, to offer better housing, and most importantly, to prioritize sharing with them the Good News of our Savior and the love He has for us. 

The most touching and impactful event I was able to experience on this trip was the intercultural worship service. Together with many GFM staff members, our group met in a tiny apartment basement and for nearly two hours we prayed, worshiped, learned songs in different languages, and listened to a short testimony given by the Korean worship leader whose story was similar to the Indian pastor’s. Toward the end of the service, we stood in a circle and sang a few worship songs in English. As we sang “What a Beautiful Name” I looked around the room and what I saw immediately brought me to tears: My friends had their eyes closed and their arms raised high, as if their chains had just been broken, and they were reveling in their newfound freedom. Never before had I been in a place where everyone was worshiping God so freely and so shamelessly. As tears of thanksgiving streamed down my face, I praised God for all that He had done to lead me to that place. After the service came to a close, the worship leader approached me with a smile and remarked, “I can see that Jesus touched you tonight!” And He did! Until then, I had never felt His presence so fully.

That night, I got a glimpse into what Heaven would be like. Though there were so many of us crammed into that little apartment basement, everyone coming from different backgrounds, different walks of life, and different cultures, the one thing we all had in common was the love and admiration we have for the one true King.

The Global Missions Journey definitely changed my life for the better. It was such a sweet experience to learn more about God’s heart for the nations. During my stay, I was able to gain compassion for refugees, grow in my faith, and hear more about unreached people groups who need to know the Gospel now more than ever! Throughout the Global Missions Journey, I felt like I was able to experience Jesus and the Gospel for the first time all over again! The best part is that I was able to do all that alongside some of my closest friends, which made the trip all the more special. 

“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.”Matthew 28:19-20