Easter is when we remember the cost of our salvation. We commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest miracle. Following our Lord Jesus’ resurrection, He will spend forty more days with His disciples on this earthly plane. On the final day with His beloved disciples, Jesus will leave them with one final commandment, which we call The Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” which can be found in Matthew 28:19-20. This commandment is the foundation of what followers of Jesus are called to do in their lives.

As followers, we are commissioned to venture out and “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you" (vs. 20). This can be accomplished through a short-term missions trip. ECC has different opportunities available for those interested in going to Taiwan, Mexico, the UK, Thailand, and Indonesia. In these places, we are placed in unfamiliar surroundings, and we might not know the language or customs of that region. Yet we know that we are called, and we are not alone. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.“ (vs.20) Jesus has not left us alone; He promises us that He will be with us. How encouraging it is when we are in a foreign place to know that the creator of the universe is here by our side. He is guiding us and helping us to use the gifts we have been blessed with to bless others.

If venturing into a foreign land is not what you are called to do, then sharing the Gospel closer to home is another mission field to be embraced. What better place to share the Gospel than where we have been placed: at school, at our workplace, where we work out at a local gym. These are all places where we have the most influence on those whom we encounter on a daily basis. How much easier is it to share the Gospel message with someone we are familiar with and have similar interests? There are times we feel inadequate and unable to share. In those times, we should remember this verse from our Lord Jesus: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work of sharing the Gospel message. Jesus is confident in us when He says, “...and you will be my witnesses…” He did not say you might, or you could be, but YOU WILL. Let us embrace this calling with full confidence.