Provoking One Another

Salt Lake City Mission Trip, Part 1

Greetings Noblesville Church Family,

Getting ready to head out!

A trip across country would typically be called a vacation. The Salt Lake City Missions Trip is no vacation, but it is certainly a great adventure for the Lord. We loaded the church bus last Friday, and traveled all the way to Kansas City. We stayed the night in a church on the first night where the girls played some board games while the boys engaged in an epic ping pong tournament. On our way to Denver, we stopped in Colorado Springs to hike and climb rocks at a place called "Garden of the gods". The name didn't excite us, but finally getting out of the church bus to explore was certainly a fun adventure. We stayed in another church on Saturday night, enjoyed fireworks in Denver and then traveled on to church in Longmont, Colorado on Sunday. We attended a good church, but it was uniquely different that our typical service. The senior pastor was out of town so we actually had a preacher from their Spanish ministry conduct the main service through an interpreter. On Sunday evening, we actually arrived in Salt Lake City. It was a long journey overall but has proven to be well worth the drive.

Between the long bus ride, confined quarters, and many fast food meals together, we are forging many good friendships and memories. Even greater than good times is the laboring to spread the good news. Monday morning officially began our ministry with Gospel Grace Church. Our days are long as they begin at 8:45am and usually conclude sometime by 11:00pm. Needless to say, the days are exhausting, yet to hear what is shared during our evening time of testimonies is a wonderful recap to hear what the Lord is doing in the lives of our group and the lives of those within SLC.

The purpose of plant camp is to not only be an active part of church planting, but also to actively proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. In order to have a healthy church, there must also be healthy Christians which is exactly what Gospel Grace Church is striving for. Our scripture focus for the week has been an in depth look at II Corinthians 4:1-5:10. We are examining the aspects of service, suffering, never being forsaken, and eternal confidence. We then have "power groups" where we discuss the passage further and prayerfully seek to apply what we are learning.

Apart from our teaching/equipping time, we look to actively engage in ministry. We have knocked on hundreds of doors inviting people to Gospel Grace Church as well as several Backyard Bible clubs. We have also hung thousands of church door hangers to further promote the church.  It already has been exciting to see numerous people attend the Backyard Bible clubs and to know that we are sowing seeds. We have interacted with numerous people including Mormons, refugee children from Somalia and Ghana, and irreligious people as well. This trip is truly an eye opening experience for all of us.

On Monday, we surveyed the city and got an in-depth tour around temple square. It was sad to hear of their man-made rituals to gain heaven, rather than the righteousness found in Jesus Christ. It was also a very sobering time to see how committed these people are to their church. This has been an eye-opening experience that will hopefully challenge us to be more committed to speaking and standing for truth according to the Scriptures.

Tuesday provided some insightful sessions about what the Gospel is and how to reach others with that message. We have gained many helpful tools that can be used throughout our lives. Wednesday was preparation for the church's midweek service, called "Church in the Park". We helped by spreading out through a local park to actively inform people about the service.  We enjoyed a time of music, a wonderful meal, and a clear gospel message. We had somewhere between 20-30 visitors who were able to hear the Gospel clearly presented. It was a wonderful night that the missions team will not soon forget.

A second letter will be written near the conclusion of this journey. Thanks so much for your support and prayer. We look forward to being reunited with you next week.

At the Church in the Park service in Liberty Park.