Reflecting on my recent shortterm mission trip to Birmingham, England, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible opportunity it provided to serve others. This experience was not just about helping; it was about understanding the profound ways in which God works in my lives when I engage in the service. God does not need me to serve Him. His plans can unfold perfectly without my involvement. I can see that the team would function very well without me. However, He invites me into his work helping me to grow and connect more deeply with Him.
During the trip, I encountered many needs in the community we served. It was humbling to see the struggles faced by individuals and families, and it became clear how much God desires to extend His grace and love through us to each and every individual. Each moment of encounter reinforced the idea that God has a specific purpose in our life, and that we are all called to share His love in whatever ways we can.
One of the most powerful aspects of the trip was the love and unity within our team. We all shared a common vision, and that unity exemplified the essence of Christian love. Working together harmoniously and complementarily allowed us to accomplish so much more than we could have individually. It reinforces the importance of being aligned in purpose within the church; when we are united in our heart and mission, God blesses our efforts in extraordinary ways.
While we can offer support and encouragement to those we serve,
ultimately, our role is to point people to God, who alone can help them through their difficulties. It’s not about us solving their problems; rather, it’s about guiding them toward the source of true hope and healing. I also learned to allow the work given to me by God to unfold rather than trying to force a specific agenda to “help God”. This meant being present, listening, and responding to the needs as they arose.
As I return home, I carry with me a renewed commitment to serve, an awareness of the needs around me, and a deepened understanding of the importance of unity in the church. I am glad to have the opportunity to share this vision of love and service with my community, knowing that when we work together with a shared purpose, we can be empowered to be instruments of God’s grace. Ultimately, I am reminded that our calling is to point others to God, allowing Him to work through us in ways that we may not fully understand, but that are always for His glory.
I encourage all Christians to participate in mission trips. There is something incredibly enriching about stepping into another community and witnessing God at work. It not only changes the lives of those we serve but also transforms our own hearts and perspectives. I hope to motivate others to embrace these opportunities, to serve and to grow in faith, knowing that when we come together in unity, love, and purpose, we can truly reflect God’s love and care in this world.
Anonymous (A member of MKCCC/麥城華
Sharing 7
“Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.x2 ” The Children were singing and dancing as they sang ‘Praise’ to the Lord. They were vibrant in performance singing and dancing at Birmingham Chinese Evangelical Church’s sanctuary. We were all amazed to see how much fun they had to sing and dance with all the children together. There were sixteen of us all in the visitation mission field trip to Birmingham UK on July 25th to Aug 5th. Our main focus in this mission trip was VBS for 40 children who were new immigrants from Hong Kong from age 4 to 12 years old and we did some visitations to the new families there. They had some challenges in this new environment. Besides, we had a music café to get connected with them. There were three basic truths the Lord had taught us in this field trip.
1) Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity
Sixteen of us from different backgrounds but we were able to serve in harmony among each other. We thanked the Lord for bringing us together to serve in Birmingham, we had the best of time for the nine days there. We had devotional together everyday and we prayed to dedicate this field trip to the Lord everyday. Unity proved that we were a team in this trip.
2) Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace who bring glad tiding of good thing.”
We had only one goal in mind that is to share our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ especially to the Children. We knew there would be a great impact in their childhood because they would remember throughout their life. Those who were new immigrants from Hong Kong attended church told us that they had been in church sometime while they were young.
3)1 Corinthians 3:6 “ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increased.”
Paul glorified God every time he had the chance, he never claimed it to himself no matter how successful his ministries were. We learned too to work to the glory of God,
because He began the work in Birmingham and He invited us to take part in it. What an honour to be called to work with Him. All of us worked very diligently and gave our best to serve the people there especially in VBS. Thanking God for His mercy and grace to let us have a part in His will and purpose in this broken world.
Romans 15:17-18 “Therefore I have reason to glory in Jesus Christ in the things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient.”
Ruth Wong (A member of MKCCC/麥城華人基督教會會友)
Sharing 6
"Missions are not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn't."John Piper
Aside from serving in VBS at MCCC and occasionally helping at church events like worship or carnivals, I rarely get the chance to work for God more meaningfully. However, this year’s VBS in the UK allowed me to spread the word of God to others. When I first arrived at the church in Birmingham, it surprised me how similar yet different the church felt to me. Despite immigrating to Canada from Hong Kong six years ago, my interactions with individuals from other churches outside MCCC are limited. I had not previously given much thought to different perspectives, but this mission trip to Birmingham allowed me to broaden my horizons and meet different people. Many people at BCEC spoke Cantonese, as they were mostly immigrants from Hong Kong. As an immigrant myself, I could empathize with their struggles in adapting to a completely new environment. Listening to their stories made me realize how blessed I was to be able to adjust quickly to my new life in Canada. On Sundays, I had the privilege to lead worship with the worship team, an experience I am deeply grateful for, as this allowed me to take on a more significant role in serving God. Throughout the week, I collaborated with others to prepare and lead various activities for the day, which helped me build stronger relationships with each member of the VBS team. I am truly amazed by how God can unite so many unique people and unite us for a single cause of sharing His greatness. This mission trip to Birmingham was a life-changing experience that helped grow my faith, opened my eyes to new perspectives, and brought me closer to God and the people around me. It has reaffirmed my commitment to serving God but also inspired me to continue to seek ways of making an impact.
