Mission Denton: Making Disciples

Mission Denton

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My first impressions of Mission Denton were not what I had imagined. It actually turned out to be much more intensive than I had originally thought—which is great!

We spent one week leading "Rainbow Express"—a weeklong outdoor Vacation Bible School offered in 12 locations around Denton every day. I was a little confused at first about what exactly it was that we were going to be doing. Twelve locations in one day was just not making sense to me. But once my partner, Jacey, and I started training on Monday, I began to catch on to things. Three churches came to help us all week, and from there we split into four groups with three locations each. We worked at the same time, which is how we got to all 12 locations every day.

When we went out into the field for the first time, I could really see things coming together. I fell in love with the mission field. I saw God working in the teenagers who were working with us also.

They were so humbled and not embarrassed or shy in the least, and the kids responded well to them. These teenagers got the chance to lead Bible stories, music and large game activities. These are things that they might not normally have the opportunity to do, because the world looks at them and thinks that they are too young to make a difference.

I realized God can really use anyone and that it is our job to make disciples of these younger students so that they can start making disciples. This week also taught me when to step back and let others lead out, to humble myself and be a part of the background and support instead of always being front and center. Christ always did things for the glory of God, whether large groups of people saw him or not. It was never about the fame or attention. I did not have the mindset of the Body of Christ when I first came, but now I see how vital it is to any kind of mission work. It's not about us; it all about Christ.

All in all, I couldn't imagine myself being anywhere else for any other amount of time, except maybe more time. I really do love where I am, and I'm glad God's plans are far greater than my own. It it had been up to me four months ago, I would have not come at all.


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Then I would have missed out on what God is doing right here in America and in my state, only 300 miles away from my home. I am so blessed to be working with such humble workers and with a new but well-oiled organization—people who realize that reaching kids can change the world and add to God's kingdom.

Amber Gonzales, a student at Sam Houston State University, is serving at Mission Denton with Go Now Missions.


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