Despite having to cancel 31 of the 33 mission trips that were on MOST Ministries’ schedule this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff and Board of Directors have not been deterred from our shared responsibility to further MOST’s mission. In fact, we are making plans to expand the reach of the Ministry and increase its impact in the mission field after we are allowed to resume sending teams—which we hope and pray will be in 2021. Rather than allow ourselves to get discouraged and become fearful about what we could not control as the pandemic unpredictably continued, our staff has: continued to pray together each morning, seeking God’s guidance and blessings on the Ministry and our Ministry partners; and focused our efforts on doing whatever we can do to keep the Ministry operating smoothly, stay financially healthy, and remain poised to send volunteer teams to serve in other countries as soon as international borders and travel restrictions are lifted for visitors.
This year MOST Ministries applied for more grant monies than ever before in order to reduce the cost for individuals to participate on a MOST mission team. We changed many of our internal processes to become a more efficient and effective ministry. We improved the curriculums for several of our on-the-field mission projects that were in need of a partial overhaul. We explored new types of service projects that could make a greater impact on the lives of hundreds of impoverished families and individuals who are marginalized and have no social safety net. We have also been reaching out to more Lutheran pastors and missionaries in areas of the world where a MOST team has never been or hasn’t been in a long time, so we can help them expand their church through acts of service and sharing the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ with people in their communities.
As you can see, the pandemic has not stopped the work and goal of MOST Ministries to “impact the world for Christ through short-term missions.”
One of our Board members recently sent me these encouraging words from scripture:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that
this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9).
And, together, we say “Amen!” MOST Ministries is continuing to move forward! God’s promises, along with our Ministry partners’ encouraging words and faithful support, are constant reminders that He is more powerful than all of the difficulties and tragedies that the world, our country, and our Ministry have encountered this year. And He has not and will not let these circumstances overwhelm us!
On Sunday, November 8th at 4 p.m. EST, MOST Ministries will be hosting a one-hour virtual event titled “Mobilized for Missions.” The virtual event will include both live presentations and several short videos from many of our international hosts, team members, team leaders, and other ministry partners. Further information about the virtual event and how to watch it from the comfort of your own home is posted on our event page (www.MOSTMinistries.org/mobilized_for_missions). It’s going to be a jam-packed hour that is sure to bless you!
Photo courtesy of MOST Ministries
