WHY????
Perhaps you've heard about this trip from us, or perhaps you've come across our website by chance or after a friend showed you. But this section caught your attention because the question you are wondering is WHY?? Why would someone want to leave a good life in America to be uncomfortable for a year? Why would a young man turn down a job offer and why would his wife quit her job to go somewhere where they won't make money for a year? Or, perhaps you've justified it in your mind, thinking it is just because we are just "good people." [spoiler alert: that is not the case] To hear more about the motivation behind our deciding to pursue such a trip, please keep reading.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5-8
The short answer to "why" is this: Jesus loved so sacrificially during His life on earth, and in the end, He gave up His life so we could be saved and have a personal relationship with God. This truth is so important and life-changing that we want to share it with people who have not yet heard it. We also want to imitate Christ's example of love and service by giving a year to wholly dedicate ourselves to serving people in need. The Bible says that Jesus Christ "did not come to be served, but to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many." We have experienced Christ's love for us, so we want to imitate His sacrificial, service-focused love to people who do not know Him. Both of us have been interested in missions work for some time, which is what has led to us thinking about doing this; but the root of why we want to go is that we want to share the love of Christ and to serve others as Christ did.
Do you know Jesus as Your Savior?
Do you have a Personal Relationship with God?
If you can't answer these questions with a definitive "yes", will you please read on? Please consider accepting God's free gift of salvation and relationship with Him through placing your faith in Jesus Christ. If you do not feel that you are able to place your faith in Him, please pray to God and ask Him to show Himself to you and to help you with your unbelief (see Mark 9:24); He is completely capable of this!
Sinful, HOpeless, and Lost
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and that we all fall short of the glory of God. In other words, no matter how hard we try, not one of us is perfect. But God's standard is perfection. In our own strength, we are helpless and hopeless; because of our sin, we cannot attain God's perfect standard. The Bible actually says that the payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23) and eternal separation from God. As sinners, we are completely undeserving of the love and compassion of God.
An Undeserved Sacrifice
We didn't deserve it because of our sinful imperfections, but God actually loved the sinful people in the world enough to intervene on our behalf! Romans 5:8 tells us that God showed His love for us through His only Son Jesus's death on the cross for our sins. Remember how the payment or penalty for sin is death? Two things stand out about Jesus's death on the cross. First, Jesus never sinned while He walked the earth, so He is the only one who actually didn't even deserve to die! The second, and most critical thing, is that Jesus actually died not to pay for His own sins (because He didn't have any), but to pay for other people's sins. The Bible tells He voluntarily came to earth to make the payment on our behalf. In other words, He substituted Himself and His death for ours. After three days, Jesus was raised again from the dead, thereby defeating sin and death. Jesus' death in our place and His resurrection do not mean we will never die, but it does open the door for us to have eternal life with God - life after death in Heaven with God. It also enables us to have a personal relationship with the God of the universe.
Your Choice To Make
I hope that you now understand why Christ's death on the cross was so important; it created the ability for me and for you to know God and have a relationship with Him. You have the opportunity to be completely forgiven of all your sins by God and to experience eternal life with Him. All you have to do to accept the payment He made on your behalf is to put your faith in Him. On top of having your sins forgiven, John 3:16 says that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (in heaven with God).
Today is the Day of salvation
Now that you've read this, let me challenge you with the words of Peter written in Acts: Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Today is the day of salvation. Pray to God, and He will forgive your sins, give you eternal life and peace with him. "God, I confess I am a sinner. I believe that your son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and that He rose again to life afterwards. I understand that in doing this, He paid the penalty for my sin. Please accept His payment on my behalf and please forgive my sins. Thank you for your free gift of eternal life and relationship with you through the death and resurrection of your Son. Amen."
If you have accepted Christ as your savior, welcome to the family!! Please let us know so we can rejoice with you; also, seek out a Bible-teaching church near you, so that you can find fellowship with other believers who can help teach you more about the Lord and about walking with Him. Read God's word regularly and pray to Him often; God is the giver of knowledge, wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). As you surrender your life to God and learn to walk in step with Him, get ready for the ride of your life!
Below is the Easter service from Cornerstone Chapel. In this message, Pastor Gary Hamrick explains more about the gospel, so if you have an hour to spare, feel free to listen in!