IN THIS EPISODE

• Jaime Meda | How she was called to India and what led her to “step out in faith” | 1:19
• Olivia Schneider | Answering His call to go  | 4:08
• How God prepares your heart and your life to go be on mission with him  | 5:11
• Initial reactions and wonder to a place you’ve never seen or understood | 6:37
• It’s one thing to see pictures and read about something, it’s another to see it in person | 12:42
• Prayer is such a powerful tool and way to connect | 18:01
• Meeting someone where they are | Not asking them to come to you, but meeting them in their circumstances | 24:25

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | LISTEN WHEN HE SPEAKS

Often times we hear things in church like, “we are all called on mission” or, “everyone is called to ministry, only some to vocational ministry”. Which can be really intimidating for those that feel like they’re not gifted. But God wants all of us on mission with him. We don’t meet at church on the weekends, we are the Church wherever we go and we’re called to emulate His characteristics into all areas of our lives. We are each gifted in ways that He can use to serve others. It doesn’t have to be half-way around the world in India, it can be right in your own backyard! Make sure that you have your ears turned to Him and your heart open, so when you are called you can answer.

2 | MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

So often in our culture we’re told that service will run exactly an hour and we’re only going to do a few songs and that’s the extent of our corporate church time together. But we were created in God’s image with a heart to worship him. Worship him through tear-filled eyes as we raise our hands to the sky and plant our feet on the ground. Worship him through the art that we create, the songs that we write, the food we cook. We serve a creative and passionate God that loves when we lift up our innovative and inventive gifts that he’s instilled on each one of us, to him! Make a joyful noise to the Lord, don’t be ashamed but be strong in your identity through Him as you connect through your worship.

3 | YOU ARE AN ADVOCATE

We hear it all the time. What are we really accomplishing when we’re only over there for a week on a short-term mission trip. The truth is, we’re changing eternity for people. Not only are you profoundly affected for the rest of your life, not only has your perspective changed but so has those of the people you worked with. When you come home and talk about the experiences you had abroad, the people you met, and the work you did over there you’re becoming an advocate for change. You are campaigning for the good works of that ministry wherever you go and who knows where inspiration will strike someone. When we proclaim the good works that people are doing around the world in the name of Christ, we’re continuing to be His hands and feet.

SHOW NOTES

We are really excited to carry on with our Life on Mission Series. In this episode, we will be listening in on the team that was able to go over and serve with our partner in India in 2018. India is an incredible explosion of unfamiliar sights and sounds that really captivate the senses. Colin McFarland, our producer, who also lead this team, talks to Jaime Meda and Olivia Schneider about their time serving in an unfamiliar area, half a world away.

Listen in today as they discuss breaking down barriers, stepping out of your comfort zone, and developing relationships that are deep and wide with people that don’t speak the same language. God is moving in India in big ways and we’re blessed that you are a part of that.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The role that Kelly plays at Mission Hills Church | 1:08
• You don’t have to be a missionary to live life on mission  | 1:41
• There’s no such thing as a typical experience living abroad  | 3:33
• Living your faith out in a dark, spiritually confused area | 6:18
• Sometimes, the transition back can be the hardest part and living out our mission on our home soil | 10:47
• It’s good to look at the areas around us that we can pour into | we’re not always traveling overseas | 14:20
• What is your next step that you will take to become more like Jesus and follow Him on Mission? | 19:148

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | EVERYONE IS CALLED ON MISSION

The focus of this series is centered around being called on mission with Jesus. Craig has a great saying around here that everyone is called to ministry, only a few are called to vocational ministry. And we thought that applied really well to mission work as well. We are all called to be on mission with Jesus, even when we’re not part of a short-term trip, or travelling to exclusively share the gospel. The truth of Christ should be so interwoven into our lives that whatever we do, whoever we talk to, can see it coming out of us. Even when we are teaching in another country, or working for a non-profit, the way we live our lives on mission should be contagious and evident in all that we do.

2 | PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO CONNECT

Even though Kelly received a lot of pushback on some of the ways that they outwardly lived their faith, they were inundated with conversations. People would express some previous hurt from the church, ask them questions about their faith, and open up to vulnerable places in their pasts to them. This is the power of the Holy Spirit working through them. It’s human nature to want to connect and build community and the tools that the McSparran’s were using to build their community in Peru were based in their faith. When they relied on their relationship with Christ, they were blessed with opportunities to share who they’ve built their lives around. Sometimes, you’re not the ones to get another to come to faith. But you are another touch point in their lives, you could be their only exposure to the Gospel! It’s important to remember that we’re called to be the best representations of Christ that we can be in all areas of our lives. God has placed you where you are in life (spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc.) on purpose, make sure you don’t ignore that and you use that to connect.

SHOW NOTES

Welcome back for our second episode in our, “Life on Mission” series. Throughout this series, which will run indefinitely over the duration of this podcast channel, we will not only interview those going out on short-term trips. We will also be speaking with women who have lived abroad! We really love these stories because they are focused on spiritual growth, from those that are called to mission (as we all are).

Today, we hear from Kelly McSparran, our Communications Director here at Mission Hills, on her time in Peru. Kelly and her husband Ryan lived in Peru for a bit at the beginning of their marriage and learned lessons about being public with your faith, growing closer to God to solidify your marriage, and travel do’s and don’ts in an incredible part of the world. She wasn’t “on-mission”, but since she loves Jesus, she was joining Jesus on mission in her everyday life. 

IN THIS EPISODE

• Jacque and her team worked on bringing hope and encouragement to moms in Colombia | 1:31
• Karissa | Why she decided to go  | 4:31
• Emerald | What was important to you on your decision to go?  | 6:36
• Reflecting on the moments that matter, that we carry with us | 8:58
• When you are on Mission, be open to what God wants you to see and hear  | 17:50
• Sometimes the Mission Field throws bats and spiders at you  | 20:03
• Along with our suitcase, we always bring experiences, emotions, and stories home with us  | 24:01
• 2019 is bringing the MOPS team to Guatemala  | 31:18

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION

When we want to see change, growth, and obstacles overcome, we need to pour into those that will be taking up the mantle after we are done. Legacy is so important, and mentoring those that are young and hungry is imperative to break paradigms. When Jacque and her team were in Colombia, they spent time with moms and their kids, teaching them about the hope that can be found in Jesus. When we give value and raise those that are younger than us up, we are empowering them to become agents of change for their own circumstances. All of that through Christ, Jesus!

2 | IT’S WHAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU

Throughout this episode the team talks about pouring into those that they went down to serve, along with receiving amazing hospitality and reciprocated encouragement from those they were around. When we think about serving globally we sometimes get bogged down by the fact that we’re only there for a week or that we meet so many faces, how are we making a difference? Not only is Jesus working through us while we’re there, but we become agents of change when we come back. When we’re able to serve alongside partners (both locally and globally) we are forever transformed into advocates for their organization and the incredible work that they’re doing. Whatever the circumstance, location, or emotion that is evoked within us while we spread the Gospel, Jesus is there working through it for good.

3 | FOCUS IN ON THE NEEDS OF THE HEART

Often times, especially with short term mission trips overseas, we look at the big picture. We really love that 30,000-foot overview of the greater impact that is occurring. We tend to get our feet out in front of us and think about the pieces of ministry that are going to fall in to place after you have left. It’s often times that we miss the opportunities that God is putting right in front of us when we’re living in the present. These moments are fleeting and God has placed them in our laps to be cherished. While it is important to think about 5 and 10 years out, what impact will the work we’re going now have, it’s equally as important to hold those around you and pray with them in the moment.

SHOW NOTES

We are so excited to launch our new series, Life on Mission. Craig Smith, our lead pastor, has charged the staff and congregation alike to live life on Mission with Jesus. It’s what we’re called to do! So, throughout the life of Anchor + Waves, we will be bringing you missional stories from our short term trips, our local partners, and our global partners alike! We will be focusing on what it truly means to serve, as He’s called us to do.

In our kick-off episode here, we will be speaking with Jacque Carlson, Emerald Holden, and Karissa Kellerstrass about their recent trip to Colombia. While in Colombia the team had chances to work with leaders, children and moms to provide hope in the name of Jesus. Listen in as we learn what it looks like to emulate the characteristics of Jesus in Colombia.