The following is a testimony shared with Streams of Light International by one of our volunteers:
Growing up SDA, I heard about GYC. Last year, as I grew closer to Christ, I desired to find other Christ-minded young people with whom I could share my experiences and work for the furthering of the gospel.
At the time, I knew two brothers, Aaron and Ivan, whom I invited to join me. Even though we didn’t know one another as well as we do now, I knew we were all striving to be more Christ-like.
While at GYC, I met several individuals from all over the world and got their contact information to keep in touch. One of those individuals was Andrea, who proposed the idea of starting a Sunday night study group via Zoom, studying Messages to Young People each week. The four of us began the study at the beginning of 2024, inviting as many other young people as we met or thought would like to join.
We discussed ways for our group to meet face to face to keep our connection real, and we remembered the mission trip to Lansing that was promoted at GYC each day. We put it out to the study group, which included those of us who were born SDA and those who were just coming into the truth of Christ, and about seven of us were able to go.
Having had the experience as a child going door to door, I always found it boring or felt like I was being a nuisance to individuals in their homes. So, I entered this experience a bit nervous about my ability to present the gospel message as Christ intends and how it would be received. As an emergency trauma nurse, I am accustomed to talking to and caring for random people in traumatic and emergent situations, and I have confidence in my ability to do so effectively. However, I lacked confidence in going door to door to share the gospel. But God makes provisions and gives us the right words to say in due season.
From the experience in Lansing, I gained a greater surety in this work that Christ has enlisted all believers to partake in. Never did I expect to feel comfortable asking random individuals on the street to pray with me or to speak about Christ with someone on the street. I’ve come to realize that those individuals who do not know Christ are in traumatic and emergent situations, and this is no different from my everyday job of helping to physically heal individuals. Christ has enlisted us to aid in the mission of spiritual healing, and it is our duty to do so in our daily interactions.
I now don’t feel apprehensive when it comes to sharing my experiences with friends or family who do not know Christ or even with random people on the street. Our testimonies are meant to be shared to help others realize that Christ is for all. I now offer prayer to people with whom I might have had a short interaction in a store or at a gas station, and I have materials at hand that they can read or listen to.
This mission trip with SOLI has changed my life positively and has encouraged me to continue in the work that Christ requires of us.
Want to take part in a future mission trip with Streams of Light? Visit our Mission Trips page to learn about upcoming opportunities!
Watch a recap of the Lansing Mission Trip below!