Acts 1:8 and Teens

I have been involved in missions since I was a little girl. I would go on local missions trips and visit nursing homes with my GA group. Once I became an Acteens member, I was able to go on bigger missions trips. I have been to Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky twice.

Because of my involvement in missions since I was little, I found my calling for missions. I am forever grateful for those opportunities that helped me find my passion.

Missions trips help the people you serve and you, too. God works in our hearts and the hearts of the people around us. Serving others is a very fulfilling experience. It provides a feeling that I cannot explain. I have been on missions trips for disaster relief where the people we were serving tried to serve me. They wanted to give me and my group everything they had. Wow! That touched my heart. That taught me to always serve even if you have very little.

As Christians, we are called to spread the gospel all over the world. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (ESV). Jerusalem represents where you are right now — your home and local community. Judea represents the state that you live in. I live in North Carolina, so that is my Judea. Samaria represents your country. I live in the United States, so that is my Samaria. We are called to spread the gospel everywhere, to the end of the earth — even in places that may be dangerous for us. The Holy Spirit will be with you and guide you while you are on mission. God’s power will be in you. This verse represents my personal conviction. I want to be a part of the gospel reaching every single place on the earth.

I encourage you to find your calling for missions and act on it. Get involved in missions and pray. A missions trip can be conducted in many different ways. You do not have to go to another county. Sometimes we forget that we can be a missionary in our own community.

Never forget the power of prayer. Pray for guidance to help you get involved in missions. God hears your prayers and knows the desires of your heart to serve on mission. Isaiah 6:8 says, “Here I am! Send me.” If we have this mindset, God will do things through us that we never thought were possible. Do not put limits on God and do not be afraid to accept your calling.

Do not be discouraged because you are young. You can do so much as a young missionary. People have tried to tear me down for having a passion for missions because I am a high school student. But age does not matter to God. First Timothy 4:12 says, ¨Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

It is amazing and a huge first step if you find your passion for missions at a young age. Start preparing now so that you can do even more as you get older. I encourage you to find a trusted mentor that you can talk to about this. This person should encourage you, push you, and help you achieve your calling. I also encourage you to reach out to missionaries at your church for guidance. And if you do not know anyone, ask! Ask questions and explain your doubts.