Pastor PLUS Africa
By Rachel
Posted in: Activate
by Victor Upton
I read an article recently that indicated there are more than 50,000 volunteers from the United States working in foreign countries every year. Half of those volunteers go with “faith based” groups. Many volunteers return and remark that their service was a “life changing” experience. My experience was like that last year after traveling to Guatemala, Nigeria and Kenya.
I returned convinced more than ever, that Christ’s mandate to go to the outermost parts of the world meant more than the disenfranchised areas of our local communities. Additionally in my sanctified imagination, I believe He didn’t merely provide suggestions or cafeteria style options of either this or that but a clear command to do this AND that!!!
As a staff member at WorldconneX, we provide resources to aide churches and individuals to turn the world upside down. As a board member of Buckner International, we provide hope to the aged and orphans. As a lay leader at my church, we seek to encourage, equip and empower ordinary people to lead extraordinary lives through the power, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. As a father and husband, I’m a steward of the family the Lord has graciously blessed me with. I returned from Nigeria and Kenya last year committed to be better in all these roles but moreover, passionate about encouraging others to open their eyes and hearts to see beyond the current realities of the world to its future possibilities.
Last month I had the pleasure of leading a Pastor PLUS trip to Kenya and Ethiopia. Pastor Gaylon Clark, of Greater Mount Zion (GMZ) Baptist Church of Austin, Texas and two members of GMZ spent 10 days stepping outside their comfort zones.
Video highlights of their trip to Kenya and Ethiopia.
The trip actually began long before the flight to Nairobi. The logistics of flights, visas, immunizations, lodging, food, currency and local connections and transportation at the destinations, all take place before the actual journey. Also, the details of the itinerary to meet the expectations of GMZ, was crucial to sharing the testimony and pastor’s vision with the congregation.
In 10 days, across 9 time zones, numerous flights and too many van/bus rides to count, we witnessed the possibilities of education in the midst of deprivation, the promise of life provided to HIV/AIDS orphans, the ministry of faith and God’s love by a nurse afflicted with HIV who has chosen to educate others, the potential of pastors in remote areas who clearly knew the gospel yet were wise enough to request training to be of better service to the Lord, the value of training for the impoverished, the sadness and wails of death when a mother loses a child, and the power of the hope in changing lives not just for African’s but for a church in Austin, Texas searching for how God can use them.
How can God use you? Open your heart and your mind to hear His call.