Acteens Panelist Experiences God’s Power, Glory, and Love in Wyoming
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
—Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
My favorite missions experience was our Acteens trip to help the Wyoming Rodeo Ministry. On this trip we were intentionally sharing the gospel with people we met. Though I have been involved in different missions events and activities, this trip taught me so much and was truly a treasured experience.
Prayer
I learned about the power of prayer on the missions trip to Wyoming. On the way to Wyoming we prayed over the trip, but we did not just pray for safe travels. We asked for boldness and guidance. We prayed that people would give their hearts to Christ and be saved. We prayed over our booth and for the people as they visited. While someone in our group was talking with a person about the gospel, another Acteen would pray for the person’s salvation. People were saved! Hearts were changed! God protected us! He gave us boldness and courage to continue sharing the gospel even though it was tiring. We gave God control and stepped out on faith!
Faith
During this time in Wyoming, this time of serving God, this time of worship and trusting God, I learned about faith. We prayed for hearts to be changed. We prayed, gave our words, deeds, and thoughts to Him. This taught me more about what it means to serve and have faith and that God is in control.
While there, one night I prayed and I asked God to send someone to me who needed to be saved. I prayed that He would work in their hearts and let their hearts be open and hear God calling them. I asked Him to speak through me and bring people to Him. I wanted to see someone be saved — even if only one person. The next day I spoke with three people and God gave me the privilege to watch as they accepted Christ! I saw His power and wanted to sing! He spoke through me and He called them. All I did was let Him talk! He called them! He brought them to me and then spoke through me. They heard Him and accepted Him.
Awe
My time in Wyoming was a great time of learning and growing in my knowledge and awe of God. Learning about His majesty, His love, and His glory was such a privilege. I was able to grow stronger in my walk with Him.
Seeing Him work through us each day to bring others to Him demonstrated His amazing power and great love. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24 KJV). “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God,” (Rom. 13:1). I had the privilege to watch the beautiful miracle of someone coming to Christ and it caused my desire to glorify Him to intensify even more.
Not only did I get the opportunity to witness many get saved, I also had the privilege to see a piece of God’s creation I had never seen before — mountains! As we drove through the Bighorn Mountains I was struck with awe.
The God who made the majestic peaks which reflected the first light of the setting sun, turning them a glowing gold, is the same God who loved me so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross and take away my sins.
The God who made lakes like living blue mirrors which reflect the mountains and the sky around them perfectly is the same God who rose from the dead on the third day. The God who is bigger than the tallest peak or the loudest waterfall is the same God who lives in me and who is always walking with me.
The missions trip to Wyoming taught me a lot about God’s power, glory, and love. I learned about prayer, faith, and letting God take control. I was able to see different kinds of beauty, God’s work, and what He can do. I saw a person get saved.
Hannah Rickman, a 2023 National Acteens Panelist, is from Kingsville, Texas, and attends Retama Park Baptist Church.
