Locations & Times

“Why do you have to start with a trip to Afghanistan? Can’t you go to like, Canada?” my mom asked. Over a decade ago, I said yes to a short-term trip with Flatirons to work alongside our global partner in Afghanistan. While I’d been on similar trips around the U.S., I’d never traveled internationally to share my faith. That yes led me on a journey that I’d never imagined.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege to participate in numerous trips around the world. The greatest gift, by far, has been the incredible people I’ve met—men and women who are no different than you or me, focused on many of the same daily issues and worries. They’ve also said yes to the mission of their lives.

When I reflect on my global friends, I am reminded of the work that feels impossible for many of us to do, like planting a church in a remote and persecuted part of the world or launching organizations that transform the landscape of an entire nation.

Maybe I couldn’t or wouldn’t do what our partners are doing, but that’s not the point. What God has shown me most through my global friends isn’t what makes them overly equipped or set apart, it’s what He’s done with their yes, and what He seeks to do with ours. Engaging in a global trip isn’t just an incredible travel opportunity, it’s an important component of our spiritual growth while trusting the story that God is writing in our lives, and the lives of those we encounter. When we say yes, we’re making an intentional choice to take a risk for our benefit, and His glory.

How does a mission trip further our spiritual growth, you may wonder. Trips certainly stretch us by making us uncomfortable and pushing us to depend on who God says He is. It’s kind of like jumping off a cliff and trusting God will catch you. And He does. And in the process, He reveals just how big and beautiful His love is.

One of our values here at Flatirons is Engaging in the Great Commission (Matthew 28 and Mark 2). We believe that because of what Jesus has done for us, the most loving thing we can do for others is to go to them and invite them to come and see who Jesus is and what He has done for them.

You might ask, Why would anyone travel the world to talk about Jesus? Global trips encourage believers to engage in the Great Commission by putting them in a position of reflection and boldness to share their story. It’s as simple as, Let me tell you what Jesus has done for me. Perhaps going to a different part of the world isn’t your idea of living out the Great Commission. You’re not alone. In fact, you can do that here. Whether it’s with a coworker, your neighbor, or the coffee barista, your journey toward Jesus can and should be shared with those God has put in your path. We all have a person or group that God is asking us to invest in with hopes that we will share our journey toward Jesus with them.

One of Flatirons elders shared something recently that’s stuck with me: “Just say yes. You’ll be shocked what the Spirit will do with your yes.” My yes to that first global trip resulted in the biggest work God has done in my life. The inspiration God has given me around the world has revealed to me my purpose in life. Through that journey, I have often been reminded of this quote: “Your life’s mission is given to you by God as a life-purpose: your greatest gift, talent or treasure which you particularly came to earth to use.”

What could God do with your yes?

Check out Flatirons' local and global partners, and opportunities to serve alongside them at https://www.flatironschurch.com/get-involved/global-outreach/ or https://www.flatironschurch.com/local-outreach/