Anaheim 07

A team of 100 Mennonite Brethren from five churches participated in a five-day mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico, immediately following Anaheim ‘07, the U.S. Mennonite Brethren youth convention. Reedley (Calif.) MB Church, Kingsburg (Calif.) MB Church, Heritage Bible Church of Bakersfield, Calif., Harvey (ND) MB Church and Good News Fellowship of Ferndale, Wash., took in the post-convention ministry trip sponsored by MBMS International. The intergenerational team of students, young adults, sponsors and pastors was led by MBMSI Fresno-based short-term mission coordinator Andi Baier, MBMSI Mexico missionary Joan Godard and Craig Jost, MBMSI regional mobilizer based in Wichita, Kan.

Pastor Joe Brown of Heritage Bible Church in Bakersfield, Calif., says Ensenada was a practical follow-up to the Anaheim convention. “The conference provided tremendous information and fellowship. We were encouraged to love God and each other, and our time in Mexico provided us with many opportunities to put this into practice. Orientation was a crash course in cross-cultural mission work.”

David Prince, pastor of Harvey (ND) MB Church, says that the Ensenada trip gave the youth in his group the “opportunity to put into practice the call to service. It helped them realize that they can serve God anywhere and under any condition if they are willing, obedient and will trust him. Ensenada was the highlight of our 10-day trip and I’m excited to see how God will use our students’ experience in Ensenada to impact Harvey for Christ.”

Ensenada participants were divided into six teams and were hosted by a local church where they slept, ate and served. This proved to be a valuable arrangement because the youth were partnered with local believers and were able to see how they lived and did mission on a regular basis, says Baier.

The Ensenada pastors were touched by the teams’ desire to follow their lead and engage in outreach for their city. Vacation Bible school, sports ministries, youth discipleship and other church-tailored ministry events were some of the activities the youth used in outreach over the week. Sarah Schale, a youth participant says, “Preparing for crafts and games was tedious, but we were so glad we took the time to do it when we saw how much fun the kids were having.”

For many participants, the Ensenada trip was a time to refocus on what it practically looks like to serve others and live in mission. “When I first came here (Ensenada) I didn’t see the people through God’s eyes,” says Jarred Zeek, another participant. “Now things are different. I can finally see what God sees. The people here have a special place in my heart, and I will pray for them each and every day.”

Not just the mission participants were changed; on the third day of ministry 21 kids accepted Jesus during VBS. “It was truly amazing,” an exuberant youth exclaimed. “The kids gave their total attention during the skits and songs. We all formed close relationships with the kids; it was a shame to leave so soon.”

Near the end of the week, Baier challenged the kids to commit to global missions. “We all have been given the command by Jesus to go into the world,” said Baier. “Being mobilized isn’t just about going; it is also praying, giving and supporting others. Missions is truly a mindset and lifestyle. When God’s love for others fills you—it’s hard not to move!”

Katy Michelle, a youth from Heritage Bible Church, responded to Andi’s challenge: “When we met together and she (Baier) wanted us to go out on mission trips all over the world, I was thinking that that would be something I’d really love to do!”

Brown reflects on the overall experience: “I’m thrilled with the spiritual maturity our kids displayed. They worked hard and stayed focused on the task at hand. I’m not saying they’re perfect, just that they really love Jesus and the children that God placed in front of them. It was good to watch God work in and through our kids.”

When asked how the Harvey group benefited from their time in Mexico, Prince says four areas stand out. “They found that serving God and others can be a joy not a chore. They recognized that they could be used of God. They saw and experienced that joy, happiness and contentment is a result of a passion for God and not dependent upon having material things. And, their relationships with each other were strengthened as a result of serving together.”

—MBMSI/Leader