Mission Trips: A Journey of Faith and Evangelism

In 2017, I had the opportunity to travel to Uganda, Africa, with my colleagues in business. The mission work was organised through a denominational group. At that time, I was still relatively unfamiliar with the scope of global evangelism.

The trip was truly an eye-opening experience.

Coming from Singapore and the Philippines, I had never fully realised how diverse the world is and how many communities remain spiritually under-served. As we visited different places and met people from various backgrounds, I witnessed firsthand the eagerness of many to learn about God. It was through this journey that God began to broaden my understanding of His work beyond the places and people I was familiar with. Jesus’ command to “go…and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20) became much more real to me. I began to see that the gospel truly is for everyone, regardless of culture, language or background.

What struck me most was the commitment of the people involved in the mission. They invested their time, resources, and energy to bring the message of Christ to others. Their dedication challenged me to think deeply about evangelism.

I remember asking myself: "If people from different denominations are willing to travel across continents to preach the gospel, how much more should we, as members of the church of Christ, be committed to sharing God's word?"

That question stayed with me long after I returned home. Looking back, I believe God was using that experience to prepare my heart for opportunities to serve in His mission.

So, when LAPCOC asked for volunteers to join a mission trip to the Philippines, I signed up without hesitation. Since then, I have had the privilege of joining the mission trips to Bontoc, Leyte, and Simsiman, Iloilo.

Although I am not yet a seasoned Bible teacher, I accepted the challenge to do some of the teaching. Honestly, I was worried that I might not deliver the lessons well, but I thank God for giving me the wisdom, courage, and confidence to serve. Each opportunity to teach reminded me that God does not simply call the equipped; He also equips those who are willing to serve Him.  As Paul wrote, “our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Traveling to these places, especially Bontoc, required almost 20 hours of travel from Singapore by air and land. It was certainly not an easy journey, especially knowing I was leaving my family behind.

I am truly grateful to God for my husband, Lawrence, whose loving support made it possible for me to serve. While I was away, he faithfully took care of Tiffany and Xavier.  His quiet sacrifice reminded me that mission is often sustained by love and support of fellow Christians and family members.

The trips were physically exhausting, but seeing our brethren in the Philippines, especially the children, so happy to receive us, made every moment worthwhile. The long journeys and temporary discomfort seemed insignificant when compared with the joy of sharing God’s Word with those who were eager to hear it. Paul’s words came to mind: “Be steadfast…always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

One of the most memorable aspects of our mission trip to Simsiman, Iloilo, was witnessing the spiritual hunger of the people.

In many places, people are surrounded by distractions that make them indifferent to spiritual matters. However, in Simsiman, we encountered individuals who genuinely wanted to listen and learn.

Seeing this spiritual hunger truly encouraged me. It reminded me that there are still people waiting to hear the truth - we simply need to be willing to go.  Sometimes we may assume that people are not interested in spiritual matters, but this experience reminded me of Jesus’ words: “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4.35).  There are still many hearts searching for hope and truth.

Another unforgettable experience was our mission trip to Bontoc, Leyte.

One of the greatest blessings during that trip was spending time with the children. Seeing them participate in Bible classes, sing songs, and engage with the lessons was deeply encouraging. Their excitement reminded me of the importance of planting seeds of faith early in life.

Jesus welcomed children and valued them greatly, saying, “Let the little children come to ME” (Mark 10:14). Through mission work, we have the opportunity to guide young hearts toward God and help build a foundation of faith that can influence the rest of their lives. We may not always see the results immediately, but God can use those small efforts to bear fruit in His own time.

Looking back on these mission trips, I realise that God was doing more than allowing me to visit different places. He was teaching me to see His mission more clearly.

Whether in Africa or the Philippines, people need the gospel. Though cultures differ in language, customs and traditions, the need for salvation is universal. God's love extends to all people, and His message remains the same. This reminded me that the gospel truly is for everyone.

I also came to appreciate that evangelism requires sacrifice. Mission work often involves long hours of travel, physical exhaustion, financial costs, and time away from family. Yet these sacrifices are small compared to the eternal value of a soul. The willingness of Christians to make these sacrifices reflects the importance of God's mission.

At the same time, I discovered that faith grows through service.  Like a muscle, faith grows stronger when it is exercised. Every opportunity to serve became an opportunity to trust God more deeply, to love others more fully, and to grow spiritually.

Perhaps one of the most humbling lessons was realising that there are still many souls to reach. Every community we visited revealed countless others still waiting to hear the gospel. Rather than discouraging me, this has motivated me to continue sharing God's word with even greater urgency.

In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to become focused on our personal goals, careers, and daily responsibilities.

Mission trips remind us of a greater purpose. They remind us that every person matters to God. They remind us that the gospel brings salvation. They remind us that evangelism is not merely the responsibility of a few individuals but a calling for all Christians.

While not everyone may have the opportunity to travel overseas on a mission trip, every one of us can participate in God’s mission. Some may go, while others pray, encourage, give, teach or support those who serve. Each role is valuable, and together we can help bring the hope of the gospel to those who need it.

Mission trips are not simply about traveling to different places. They are about carrying God's message to people who need hope, truth, and salvation. At the same time, they shape our own hearts as we learn to see people through God’s eyes and share His love with others.

I look forward to serving alongside you on one of our mission trips in the future. But whether God calls us to go across the world or simply across the street, may we all be faithful in sharing His love and His truth with those around us.