Contrary to last year, during which I took part as a part-time participant, this year, I engaged in ‘door-to-door’ evangelism this year as a full-time participant of the ARISE Mission Trip. Signing up for the ARISE trip itself was the easy part. However, the closer the actual trip became, I was full of concerns even to the extent of wanting to avoid the trip.
Despite being in such a state, the week of ARISE trip was an invaluable time which allowed me to appreciate God’s living power and presence amongst us, enriching our deserted hearts with love. I cannot say with confidence that I have directly expanded God’s Kingdom and saved many souls, but taking part in the ARISE trip enlarged my love towards the Lord’s Church.
My obedience started with a simple questionnaire which lacked happiness and joy amongst it, but the passion and love within each member of the ARISE trip enabled me to desire the presence of God and lean towards his path and be a companion of God’s plan. Specifically, contrary to my expectations, it was surprising that people of the community were glad and even wished the members of the ARISE trip to tell them that “Jesus loves you”. Such experience ignited my willingness to undertake challenges, allowing me to build immense certainty that “The Lord accompanies me” and therefore rely on his gratefulness.
The host members of the ‘Flowing Rivers Church’ engaged in prayer whilst fasting in preparation for the ARISE trip. I could feel God’s love and was moved by how the members opened their doors and provided us with meals throughout the trip, despite the difference in culture and background, just because we were there to praise Jesus up high.
Another thing that moved my heart was the ‘ministry programme’, during which the members of the ‘Flowing Rivers Church’ served their local community. I could encounter various efforts (food bank, care home visits, prison ministry, and SEN support groups) of the members of the church seeking to serve those around them and the grace of the Lord functioning as its motivation. While the relationship between myself and God was the top priority, I realised that the relationship with the neighbours around me was as equally important. Living a life under the gospel meant extending the reach of love from those who like and support me to those who desperately need my help and even dislike me. To me, the people of ‘Flowing Rivers Church’ were a sincere demonstration of such life. This made me experience the love and providence of the Lord, touching the deepest part of me.
The week of the ARISE trip was physically demanding. However, the reason that I could experience the grace of the Lord and be energized to remain in prayer was all thanks to each of the ARISE trip members and hosts of the ‘Flowing Rivers Church’. There are undeniably times when their passion is not as it used to be when one pursues faith in God. But encountering the real possibility of revival and development of faith in the ARISE trip allowed me to realize why God gave us the Church and how this exacerbates to become a greater Grace. Following my experience, I am now confident and faithful that regardless of how difficult my situation turns out to be (either when I fall in pain in or outside the Church due to relationships with people) I will be able to be healed under our Lord’s righteous Church and further develop into a better person. It is not to be doubted that the love and grace that our Lord shows us through personal interaction is extraordinary. Nevertheless, God’s love and grace that we can feel through each other is not to be neglected and is as equally extraordinary and glorious.
