Fuel Mid 2003
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In 2002, I spent six weeks at Shawnee Presbyterian Church in Lima, Ohio, as a participant in the ‘Mission to the USA’ programme run by the Presbyterian Church in the USA. Why did I go? It was a free trip to America. Who wouldn’t? I was young, I was free, I wanted to go on an adventure. Early on in the trip however I was forced to analyse my motivations and purpose for going. For a start, they kept calling us ‘missionaries’. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be labelled alongside my well-meaning ancestors who christianised the pacific with sometimes questionable evangelisation methods...
Needless to say, I was challenged to thin about what being a'missionary' meant over the six weeks I was there - but it wasn't the only thing I took from the experience. My motivation for going to the States was perhaps questionable, but what I experienced when I got there was life changing and certainly has made me more passionate and better equipped for ministry. I trust what I gave while I was there was valuable. I know what I received was invaluable.
The picture on the front of this issue was taken by Andrew Bell during a recent trip to Vanuatu. On one level, it is a photo of a child in need. On another level, the photo shows a child giving a message of peace. I chose it for the cover because I think it illustrates how mission goes two ways. Mission is an attitude, a sense of responsibility for making a difference. But it's also about being open to let that difference be made in our lives too. I's about giving and receiving. It's about offering the love of God to people and letting them offer God's love to you...
Of course mission doesn’t just happen overseas, it should happen right now, right where we are. In our daily lives - in our youth ministries. I hope this issue of fuel will push some buttons and get you thinking about how you can think and do mission with your young people in your patch.
See you at Connect
God bless
Arohanui