Project Gospel

This year, our youth group wanted to have our annual Easter weekend mission project close to home. We wanted to remind our students that sharing the gospel at home is just as important as sharing it anywhere else. What better time to do it than the weekend centered on Christ's sacrifice for us?

We partnered with two nonprofit organizations- The Hope Center and Surviving Parents of SETX. In our time there, the students helped organize donated items, clean outdoor spaces, and learn how these organizations share the gospel through their work. It was encouraging to witness firsthand how God has worked in these places, both through the personal stories of staff members and testimonies of individuals they had served.

In the afternoon, we took to the streets of Beaumont, Texas to care and pray for our homeless community. Hundreds of care packages were prepared, filled with essentials such as toothpaste, food, and socks- every single one of which was handed out. For many students and leaders, this was their first experience sharing the gospel with the homeless. But what can God do with those who give Him just a little faith? Everything. Many gospel-centered conversations took place, countless prayers were said, and two individuals gave their lives to Christ in just one afternoon!

 We asked a few of our students that participated in Project Gospel to share what the Lord taught them through this trip. Read below to hear their testimonies–

“I recently participated in our local mission trip called Project Gospel. This trip took us all the way to downtown Beaumont, where we shared our faith up and down the streets of the town. I had personal interactions with homeless people along the roadside, as well as people within shops and establishments. While these are very different groups of people, one thing they share: their eagerness to hear the good news. Even people who were reluctant at first eventually opened up to listen to what we had to say. Before this we had spent some time at a ministry for grieving parents and families called Surviving Parents of SETX. Our group helped them sort through food and provide a helping hand to this wonderful program. Our group of high school students got to share our faith through prayer, service, and our heart to give back to the community.

Personally, this trip taught me a lot about being bold for the Lord. I have been on several mission trips in my time, both local and out of the state. However, a lot of my sharing of the Gospel has been clouded by fear on these trips. On this trip God removed this fear from me. He allowed me to proclaim his good news with reckless abandon. Every time I go out into the world with a heart for God, He strengthens me in a new way that allows me to shout his name without fear. Over the years God has grown me and broadened my ability to share beyond what I would have thought possible. Having these trips of dedicated time towards the Lord is an opportunity for all students to grow this relationship with the Lord in a meaningful and possibly more intentional way than they would throughout their day-to-day lives. It certainly is for me. Offering up your life and heart to God allows Him to change you in beautiful ways. I would love to encourage anyone reading this to take that step. Sometimes it can feel like quite a leap of faith, but I can truthfully say from experience that it is the best decision you can ever make.”

—Ben

“This is the first time that I have done a mission trip in my own city. For me personally, talking to people who live near me is harder than talking to someone in Portland. It was a huge step in breaking out of my comfort zone, especially talking to the homeless in downtown Beaumont. My favorite part of the trip was the at-home worship service; we had about 50 people come to my house and sit on my porch and just worship our Lord and Savior. It was so beautiful because everyone near me could hear the loud voices of those worshiping God. It’s just a glimpse of what I imagine Heaven to be like. Overall, this mission trip helped me in growing bolder in my faith and having a bigger heart of worship and service.”

—Luke

“Project Gospel was both a unique and an impactful experience for me! We saw God moving in people every single place we went. We had the opportunity to visit a local grief center and the Hope Clinic. We also walked around downtown Beaumont doing homeless ministry-in an area with those who have mental illnesses. As I look back on myself a few years ago, it’s almost comical how much the Lord has changed me. You never would’ve caught me talking to random people on the side of the street, let alone sharing the Gospel with them.

We ended the day at Pastor Nate’s house for a pop-up worship night, which was easily the highlight of my day. We all sat on his porch for an acoustic music session and listened to scripture and testimonies shared by students in between songs. God’s presence was POWERFUL that night, you could practically feel it in the atmosphere. Everyone was singing out with their hearts open to the Lord, surrendering their all; it was a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.

Through this weekend, I was able to utilize the gifts and skills God has given me to be able to talk to people. What once felt uncomfortable has now become one of my greatest joys, and that’s solely because of Him. I am now fueled by my confidence in God and His Word, and that only continues to multiply every time I am forced to crawl out of my comfort zone, like Project Gospel. God has taught me that, no matter where you go or where you are, you can still reach people with His message and make an impact. He can use anyone who is willing to say yes. Quite honestly, walking around Beaumont sharing the Gospel is a lot more intimidating than our usual trip to Houston every year. Yet throughout each interaction I had with people, I felt confidence and peace within me and I knew with my entire being that I was going to be okay. I have the power of the Lord living inside of me, and that is exponentially greater than anything else the Enemy may try to throw my direction.”

— Brianna

The gospel has the power to change lives- not just through words, but through actions of those who are willing to sacrifice all for His glory. As you can see from the stories and testimonies shared by these students, we walked away from this local mission trip with the reminder that the gospel is for everyone, including the ones right next door here in Southeast Texas. What a blessing it is to serve a God who loves us and invites us to partner with Him in bringing His love to the lost world around us! As we step out in faith to serve Him, He reminds us of the truth that He is with us always, to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20). What step of faith is the Lord compelling you to take today?

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

—Emma