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Church Missions Network exists to connect churches and individuals to bring the love and hope of Christ to the incredible people of Eastern Africa. Through medical clinics, childrens ministry, pastor training, church planting, micro-financing, and our K4K feeding program we are able to share the Gospel while meeting physical needs. However, none of this could be possible without you, our brave volunteers, prayer warriors, and generous supporters. Whether you support us through prayer, giving of your time, or through financial gifts you have made this more just an organization, its a family. One of the things we love most is hearing stories from volunteers on how they have seen God work in their lives and in the lives of those in Africa. So now, we want to share those stories with you! Over time we will be sharing stories from different team members and individuals involved in CMN in hopes that we can inspire one another and encourage each other as we join together to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
This week’s testimony comes from Jordan Dunn, a marketing and IT major at Belmont University with an incredible talent in photography. Jordan was on our third medical team this summer and served in Kenya for two weeks as part of the childrens ministry team. Read on to hear about how he felt called to join with us on a trip and what he learned from his experiences there.
“To the ends of the earth.” One year ago I could not get these words out of my head. It was the first time the light-bulb clicked on for me and I saw what was missing in my life.
Since I was young, I had always been very involved in church and taken my walk with Christ seriously. I had been on many mission trips, especially with my youth group, whether in our home town or as far as the Dominican Republic. I always came home impacted by what I saw or did and thankful for the lessons I had to carry with me for the rest of my life. But inevitably, I would return to my daily routine of life and soon that impact and those people would become a distant memory… until last June. I decided to sit down and study the book of Acts in depth. In a matter of weeks, I realized the weight of my own responsibility. That myself and countless others had a knowledge more valuable than anything mankind has ever discovered – the Gospel. As Christ followers, we carry the single most important story to ever be told. One that changes and saves lives. But even with all those who are lost, broken, and living in darkness in this world, many of us have never even shared that story. Christ was not something we were meant to keep to ourselves. He is meant to be shared with the entire world!
At this point, I felt wrong just sitting where I was. There had to be something I could get up and do! How could I be in such a comfortable position while others have spent their entire lives in rags, treated brutally, and slandered by those around them for the purpose of the Gospel? I knew I had to go, but I didn’t know where. Then I heard out about my church’s annual trip to Kenya. Kenya? It seemed like such a random place to go. But after some time of prayer and thought, I decided it would be good first trip, especially being with my church family. However, I had no idea what to expect.
From the beginning, every step of the trip was different from anything I had experienced before. My last mission trip had been to the Dominican Republic two years before. Despite its need for the Gospel and the amazing things God did through my youth group there, it often felt more like an exotic vacation in paradise. But in Kenya there were no crystal clear oceans, lush palm trees, and delicious tropical fruits to distract me from the purpose of the trip. Everywhere I looked, I saw struggle and difficulty in the faces of the people. There was not a smile to be found. Looking at so many seemingly hardened souls, I was nervous about how sharing Christ would go. But as soon as we began our first day of work, I saw that I was very wrong. The Kenyan people were not hardened souls at all. In fact, they were some of the kindest souls I had ever encountered. The pastors had more faith and gratitude to God than I had ever encountered in any believer. In each person’s eyes I could see a hard cold life, but in their actions I saw so much warmth. We had come to share who Christ was, but to my surprise it was as if they already had His love.
For the first time on a mission trip, I felt as if the impact we were making was permanent. We were not telling these people about a guy named Jesus, praying a prayer with them, then leaving. We were being Christ to them by giving them care, playing with their children, sharing the Gospel, and planting a church to sustain and disciple them continually. Our team was not there to change Kenya in two weeks. We were there only as workers, as the hands and feet, helping the pastors who live their whole lives with these people. They will be the ones to change Kenya through the work of the Spirit. Of course, it’s not easy from here. Many of of the Kenyans will face confusion, persecution, and doubt. Surrounded by a culture so different from the truth of Christ, there is a long road of discipleship ahead. But there is no doubt in my mind that the people of Kenya are strong. And the Lord will do something amazing in each one of them.
Coming back from the trip, I learned many things. Most of all, it was a confirmation that there is more to be done. Jesus discipled the same twelve men for three years. We encountered thousands in only two weeks. In order to be witnesses for Christ and make disciples of all nations, fourteen days is just not enough. So where do we go from here? Whether at home, in school, throughout the office, or as far away as Kenya, Christ is to be shared. It can be through words, actions, or by example. But regardless of where or how, the Gospel is our mission. To the ends of the earth.
Do you have a testimon, story, or something on your heart you’d like to share with the rest of the CMN family? We’d love to hear it! You can send it directly to us at pjohnsey@churchmissionsnetwork, share it with us on Facebook, or tag on any social media with #CMNstories.
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