Sometimes when we hear about students going on a mission trip, a part of us equates the trip with "spiritual tourism." I know that feeling-I've experienced it before when I am asked to support a person or group going on trip, here or abroad.
But there are those times when you know a group-what they are doing, and you know their trip is anything but tourism. I want to tell you briefly about such a trip-a trip that is going to be extremely challenging, one that will profoundly change the lives of college students, and one that will impact eternity.
We (Baptist Student Ministries)are taking nineteen students from UTSA back to Los Angeles this year on mission trip. We are returning to the same church and agencies we worked with last year to build on last year's work.
Our students were challenged months ago to pray about being called to Los Angeles. The students going have taken this responsibility seriously and last night we had our first training meeting. I was blessed to see a group of young people coming in faith, with a strong sense of God's Hand upon them, leading them to serve in the heart of Los Angeles, where there is indeed much darkness.
Our students will be serving through Mosaic church-but connecting with agencies such as the Dream Center, Union Rescue Mission, Adopt a Block, MetroKidz, School on Wheels-working among the 90,000 homeless, focusing on Skid Row, and working among the urban poor. We will be sharing the Gospel and demonstrating Christ's love to people living in darkness and despair. It is tough spiritual terrain. Our students will not be seeing the "beautiful" side of Los Angeles, rather immersed in the darkest and toughest places. Their work schedule is taxing-not much in the way of down time, and they knew this as they prayed about the trip and yet...they said, "Here I am Lord, send me!"
I am humbled by their spirit, their willingness to offer themselves up in a context most people would avoid.
For us, Los Angeles has become our "ends of the earth" as far as missions.
I want you to know that for our students, missions is not about an annual trip-they are on mission throughout the school year. They have been trained and are continually challenged to be missionaries on their campus-and they are. God is using them in powerful ways to interact with and engage the lost. So for them, this trip is further training and further investment in the Kingdom.
I am writing to ask for you to prayerfully consider the following:
1) Committing to pray for this group. We are going to need it. The darkness and despair is great. We need God's protection, provision and strength. We cannot do this in our own strength.
2) To prayerfully consider helping to support these students as they go. Last year, our actual cost per student was close to $1,000. This year it is $950. Last year God provided through churches, Sunday school classes, individuals in such a way that our students were able to go for $350. That is our goal again this year.
Our trip is May 19-26. Our students have turned in their first deposit of $100.00 and their second is due next week. They are trusting God for everything, as am I.
If you are looking to make an investment in the Kingdom, an investment in young people-something that will "stick" with them, something that will make a significant difference in the lives of many, I encourage you to pray about supporting these students.
Anything that is received is divided among the group. We are all working and praying together-this is a team effort and a faith venture from beginning to end.
We appreciate the prayers of so many. Thank you. Your prayers are making a significant difference on our campus!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ustabsm@gmail.com or call me at 210.823.4166.
If you would like to help support these precious students, you may do so by sending a check to the San Antonio Baptist Association; Baptist Student Ministries, 5807 I-H 10 West; San Antonio, TX 78201. In the memo section of the check, please designate: BSM Mission Trip, LA
For the King and His Kingdom,
Kevin Prather
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