What is Ministry

Probably one of the hardest questions I had to answer before coming on the race was what will we be doing. To be honest I had no clue. Which I could see being difficult for supporters who wanted to give but maybe felt a little withdrawn because not being told details of what we were actually doing. And I wish I could have given more info, but at the same time it was a blessing not knowing what we were doing in each country. We are so programmed to know exactly what we are doing, the time, the place, and for how long. Well I am praising the Lord for having obedience to one say yes to this trip and two being completely open to whatever is thrown my way. Having been on this trip for about two months now I can tell you what ministry is.

Ministry has looked different from Nicaragua to Costa Rica, and will continue to look different from country to country and I’m excited for all the different ways. However let me talk about the most important ministry, which is ministry within my team. Since training camp the Lord laid on my heart that our first ministry was to each other before we could minister to others. And there have been a few occasions where that has been reconfirmed and my mind is blown every time I hear it. The best way I heard this was in a book called “Slavery to Sonship” and it said that the Great Commandment was more important than the Great Commission. What is the great Commandment? To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). What is the great commission? To go and make disciples of all nation’s (Matthew 28:18-20). Look at the order of these words.

1. Love the Lord

2. Love your neighbor

3. Make disciples

Guys there are so many of us who miss the first two steps. We get so focused on trying to save people, that we miss what God told us to do first. Are we loving the Lord with our WHOLE heart and mind? Are we then reaching to those surrounding us? And then are we reaching the world? When we are filled with the Spirit completely (which is a daily surrender), can we reach those around us. If I am not fully surrendered and have allowed Jesus to take over my whole heart am I truly effective on the ministry field? Too often we are focused on the number and not the relation. By no means am I saying don’t go into the world and proclaim the Gospel, hello for one that is what I am doing and two we NEED missionaries all over the world. All I am saying is our goal is not to save, we cannot save people, only God can. But believe that he uses us as his instruments. Whether your mission is in your hometown or over seas remember to first love the Lord. Then love your surrounding neighbors (the people next door, co-workers). Then love the world. Don’t skip over the steps. Our first ministry is our home. The Lord has been doing a good work in my squad and showing more and more that our squad is our first ministry.

Now let’s dive into ministry in the field. 

Nicaragua ministry consisted of various things day to day. We went on prayer walks, went to the dump where people lived and worked, helped with a feeding program to feed kids in the neighborhood, prayed for the sick at the hospital, and had the opportunity to talk to professional boxers that were on the farm where we stayed. So day to day it looked so different and we did not know until the day of what we would be doing. 

Costa Rica ministry has looked completely different. There were nine different ministries that both teams have served with. One team has gone to the prison and has gone to prostitutes to minister to them. My team has helped with children’s ministry in different areas that have gangs, and been able to help at a medical event. Both teams have done ATL (ask the Lord) where we go out into town and ask the Lord what to do, and we have done tedious labor.

Ministry is life. Ministry is not just one thing. Ministry is so many things. Ministry is praying to the Lord every morning. Ministry is inviting people into your home. Ministry is stopping to talk to a random stranger at the store. Ministry is stepping out of your comfort zone. Ministry is right next door to you. Ministry is over seas in a country that has never heard the gospel. Ministry is being asked to do things that you have never done. Ministry is love. Ministry is life and life in ministry. When we accept Christ we accept his ministry, and that is to walk in the way of Jesus and use the gifts he has given you to minister to those around you. It is not only going to a Bible study, only serving with Woman’s ministry, only serving in children’s ministry, only leading a small group, no, ministry is your everyday walk. When we limit ministry, I truly feel that we limit God. Don’t think that your skills can only be used in one area of life because they can be used in multiple areas of life. God has given us gifts and talents to use for his glory and his glory alone! So embrace them. (I would encourage you to take the spiritual gifts assessment). 

So what will ministry look like these next nine months? Honestly I am not sure. But I cannot wait to find out. 

But what I do know and I hope you remember that ministry is loving the Lord, loving your neighbor, and loving the world! 

Head over to Facebook/Insta to check out pictures what ministry has looked like the past couple of weeks!