Pinnacle Moments
"3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may livea new life."
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may livea new life."
Romans 6:3-4
A number of different things can happen on a short term mission trip. Sometimes people come looking for an experience in a culture that is completely different than their own. Some come because someone has told them they need to serve somewhere outside their own community so they can return passionate about the area in which they live. Some have heard of the amazing
things God is doing across the world so they want to see it with their own eyes. The reality is, no matter what the reason may be, we've found that most people come on a short term mission trip in search for something...and almost 100% of the time, they indeed find "something".
We have the privilege of hosting people that are excited and driven to grow in their faith journey. Even though it might be just a small window of 8 days, we've found that God can move mountains in the lives of those who are earnestly seeking him in a week's time.
This past week a group of men came to Santiago, Dominican Republic in honor of a dear friend that passed away two years ago. Tommy Barnes, a passionate, bold disciple of Jesus challenged others to walk more closely with Christ and His efforts are still bearing fruit in a powerful way today! Some of his dear friends, along with a few that didn't even know him, put on a baseball
clinic for kids in our community and played in a softball tournament in the evenings while in the D.R. last week. From the outside, it sounds like a pretty simple, fun week filled with kids smiling and past baseball players living out their glory days in the form of Dominican fast pitch softball. But as you dig a little deeper, God was moving in the hearts of these men as they came looking
for an unforgettable experience with their LORD and Savior.
Dozens of "wow-moments" took place in the 6 days the group was here. A powerful message was preached in the Hole by a guy named Tiger; real, genuine faith was shown in the midst of difficulty by Shane; true love for one another was expressed mulitple times by each individual; a band of brothers was formed through selfless service towards others; and to end the week, a public profession of faith was made by Matt as he was baptized in the ocean. These were pinnacle moments in the lives of everyone involved.
clinic for kids in our community and played in a softball tournament in the evenings while in the D.R. last week. From the outside, it sounds like a pretty simple, fun week filled with kids smiling and past baseball players living out their glory days in the form of Dominican fast pitch softball. But as you dig a little deeper, God was moving in the hearts of these men as they came looking
for an unforgettable experience with their LORD and Savior.
Dozens of "wow-moments" took place in the 6 days the group was here. A powerful message was preached in the Hole by a guy named Tiger; real, genuine faith was shown in the midst of difficulty by Shane; true love for one another was expressed mulitple times by each individual; a band of brothers was formed through selfless service towards others; and to end the week, a public profession of faith was made by Matt as he was baptized in the ocean. These were pinnacle moments in the lives of everyone involved.
Over 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son to earth to fulfill a purpose. After the resurrection, Jesus gathered His disciples and said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Tommy Barnes understood that Jesus was talking to all disciples of Jesus, not just the 11 on the mountain that day. Because of Tommy's obedience, he took many young men to a different nation in accordance with the words of Jesus. Today, those young men are now bringing others and the cycle continues. The result? A band of brothers that grows each year because they come
on a short term mission trip that challenges them to deepen their relationship with Christ. This group came down in pursuit of God and He blew us all away.
Thank you, Tommy, for your faithfulness to the Gospel. We are fortunate to see the fruits of your labor. Take a look below..."just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Amen!
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Tommy Barnes understood that Jesus was talking to all disciples of Jesus, not just the 11 on the mountain that day. Because of Tommy's obedience, he took many young men to a different nation in accordance with the words of Jesus. Today, those young men are now bringing others and the cycle continues. The result? A band of brothers that grows each year because they come
on a short term mission trip that challenges them to deepen their relationship with Christ. This group came down in pursuit of God and He blew us all away.
Thank you, Tommy, for your faithfulness to the Gospel. We are fortunate to see the fruits of your labor. Take a look below..."just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Amen!
