I was headed out in two weeks to go on a backpacking adventure when I sat down with my uncle for what I thought was our normal breakfast. I thought he’d be excited to hear that I’d planned another solo hike, this time in Costa Rica. The words and the wisdom of my uncle that morning fell profoundly on my heart. His words, “With all that schooling and Bible training, how are you going to use it in your travels?” That struck me, and I was convicted to the core that I needed to do more on my trip than just ‘see the world and explore.’ I needed to take my resources and training that I was profoundly blessed with and use them to share Christ with others. Yes, I wanted to make a difference. I NEEDED TO DO MORE ON MY TRIP THAN JUST ‘SEE THE WORLD AND EXPLORE.’ That weighed on my heart throughout the day. When I got home that evening, I immediately began researching short-term mission trips for professionals and singles. The odds were certainly stacked against me. I was leaving in two weeks, and I specifically needed to join an organization in Costa Rica. Not easy! Well, I learned with God all things are possible! Combing through various Bible-based organizations, I found many that are ‘doing good’ in the world. My desire was not only to work with a Bible-based organization but also to work with one where I could physically contribute and have a visible impact. And, there it was, a site for ‘Word of Life International Ministries’. I’m a 1995 graduate of the Bible Institute! I read about their short-term missions and scrolled to see the name of Ron Morton. Ron is the Short-Term Missions Work Trip Adventures Coordinator. Quickly, I looked up his phone number and within five minutes I was talking with him. Twenty-four hours later I was scheduled to serve on a mission trip in Word of Life Costa Rica building an entrance to their gorgeous summer camping facilities and outreach campus.
WORK TEAM AT WORD OF LIFE IN CHILE, 2017
God was working, and I knew His hand had orchestrated this timely and amazing missions opportunity. I have been able to serve on two exciting work trips with Word of Life Short-Term Missions. In the summer of 2016 I spent two weeks at Word of Life Costa Rica, and the following summer I served with Word of Life Chile for two weeks in Santiago. Both of these trips were labor-intensive, Christ-centered and life-changing. Where I thought I was setting out to hopefully change someone’s life, it was mine that has been changed! Great lifelong friendships were made in a short time. Short-Term Missions truly has impacted my life and has allowed me to show compassion on others as Jesus has done for me. I am forever grateful for the impact Word of Life and the Bible Institute has had on my life. If God has placed a burden on your heart to help reach the lost in other parts of the world, then ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ as Jesus said in Matthew 28:19. Word of Life has some amazing and unique short-term missions opportunities already lined up for the next several years. Do you have a desire to do more, to serve others and to share Christ’s love with the lost? I hope and pray you will consider one of these trips in the near future. Come join us. Visit MISSIONS.WOL.ORG for your next adventure!
Chad Johnson
Chad is a Field Trainer and Support Specialist
- Marketing at RTI Surgical® - Richmond, Virginia. • Word of Life
Island STC 1993
• Word of Life
Bible Institute 1995
• Word of Life Ranch STC
Counselor 1995
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