At the very beginning of time, God was there, and there was nothing else... only God. He spoke, and when he did, he created the universe and everything in it. Then he decided to make a special creation—man. So, God created man and woman. He had a perfect relationship with them. He walked with them, talked with them, and took care of them—until one day, the man and woman disobeyed God, and they broke their relationship with God. They were separated from God.

The man and woman had children. Their children had children, and their children had children, until all the earth was filled with people. But, just like the first man and woman, they continued to be separated from God. However, God never forgot his special creation.

One day, he spoke to a man named Abraham, and he told Abraham, “I am going to give you many descendants. I am going to make a huge people group out of them. They will be a people group just for me. And I will bless the whole world through you and your descendants.” And even though Abraham was a very old man, he believed God. God considered Abraham to have a right/good relationship with him because of his belief.

God kept his promise to Abraham, and Abraham did have a son, and his son had sons, until God had indeed made a huge people group out of Abraham’s descendants. Sometimes they followed God, but most of the time they were disobedient, just like the first man and woman. So, God would send spokesmen to the people to show them how they could have a right/good relationship with him.

One of these spokesmen was named Isaiah. Isaiah brought Abraham’s descendants a message of hope about a Promised Savior. He said, “We have all gone away from God and his ways. We sin. But God says, ‘I am sending you a Savior who will take all of your sins on himself. He will be whipped and beaten. He will die because of your sins. But I will give him life again. And, because of him, you can have a right/good relationship with me.’”

From that time on, they waited expectantly for this Promised Savior...and they waited...and they waited...God did keep his promise to Abraham’s descendants. He sent this Promised Savior, Jesus, God’s very own Son. Jesus proved that he was indeed the Savior by performing many miracles and by healing people, and even demons recognized his authority.

Not everyone recognized who Jesus was, but many people did follow him. Jesus taught his followers. One day he told them, “If you follow me, I will give you eternal life. You belong to me. No one can take you away from me. God and I are the same.” Those who did not believe in Jesus became very angry that he said that he and God were the same. So, they convinced the government to have him executed. And, just as God had said, Jesus was whipped. He was beaten. And he died. But, just as God had said, Jesus was given life again!

Afterward, Jesus showed himself to his followers, and he proved beyond a shadow of doubt that he had come back from the dead. For forty days, he taught his followers. He told them, “I will leave you soon, but when I do, I will send God’s Spirit to you. And when you receive God’s Spirit, you will receive power—power to tell everyone about me. So, go into the whole world and tell people about me. Teach them to obey what I taught you. And, when they believe in me, baptize them. Have them undergo this symbolic washing in water to show that they have become my followers. They have turned from their sins and turned to God through believing in me.”

One day, Jesus did leave them. He went up into the clouds right in front of their eyes. As they were watching all of this, two angels appeared and asked them why they were looking up into the sky. “Jesus will come back one day the same way he left,” they said. From that moment on, the followers of Jesus waited expectantly for him to return. And they went everywhere telling people about Jesus. And when people believed in Jesus, they were baptized. They underwent a symbolic washing in water to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God through belief in Jesus.

This is what followers of Jesus do to this day. They tell everyone about Jesus. When people believe in him, they are baptized—symbolically washed in water—to show that they have turned from their sins and turned to God through believing in Jesus. Followers of Jesus then gather together. They meet together to worship God, learn about Jesus and take care of one another’s needs. And this is what I do. I tell people about Jesus.

CLICK HERE for an audio version to listen to.

Go Impact Info Call (March 30) — In case you missed it, here is the recording of the informational video call.

DOWNLOAD THE “LIFE ON MISSION” APP — Then, complete the following classes:

• 3 Circles Presentation

• Best New Ever Presentation

BASIC CATHOLIC CLASS — Understanding “Folk Catholicism”. This is a prominent view for this region, and as we share the gospel of Jesus, it’s good to understand what their beliefs are to begin with.

FUN FACTS ABOUT OAXACA, MX — Just a few things you might not have known.

SAMPLE FUNDRAISING SUPPORT LETTER — Mission Trips are not something you do on your own. There an opportunity for others (family, friends, etc.) to come alongside you as the partner through financial support and/or prayer. Since mass emails/texts can be a bit impersonal and easily get lost in the mix of other messages, snail-mail is always a great way to ask people if they would support you. You can download a version using the links below:

• PDF

• WORD

• NUMBERS (Mac)

SUPPORT TRACKER — It’s always a good idea to stay organized by keeping track of who you’ve reached out, and how they would be willing to support you. This is also a great tool for who to send cards/letters to your supports after the trip is complete, to say thank you and share about your experience. (View an example)

APPLY FOR PASSPORT — If you don't already have a passport, or if you do and it will expire before December 14th, 2025, then you can start that application process if you'd like.

Fundraisers — Volunteer Sign-Up

Parent Lunch/Night Out — Sign-Ups

Cornhole Tournament — Sign-Up

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Hey everyone!

I’ve been presented with an exciting and challenging opportunity, and I’d like to share it with you. My church’s student ministry is going on a mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, from June 7th — 14th, to share the love of Christ with kids, teenagers, and adults, and I feel called to be a part of the team! As I prepare for this trip, would you consider supporting me? You could do this in two ways: (1) Would you be wiling to pray for me and my team, as well as the churches and people we’re going to serve in Mexico? And (2), would you consider supporting me financially?

If the answer is yes to either, please DM me so I can share with you how.