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mosaic—winter 2020
GodSent GodSent It
R E S H A P E YO U R WO R L D T H R O U G H G LO B A L M I S S I O N
is often said that mission trips can be life-changing – a gateway to a whole new world, and the beginning of a journey with God to impact the world.
CBM’s SENT program allows Canadian Baptists to answer the desire that God puts in their hearts to go out into the world – on a short-term basis. The global discipleship experience offers participants an overseas trip and opportunities to put their faith into action when they return home. Although trips usually run for about two weeks, a new version of the program called SENT Intensive provides participants with a more in-depth experience. Last summer, the first team was assigned to the Philippines for an unprecedented three-month trip. Six young adults – Ethan Phillips, Andrew Conrad, Jane Nickerson, Rodney Steeves, Taylor MacDonald and Kathryn Scott – embarked on a cross-cultural sojourn designed to give them a full experience of living and serving in a culture different from their own. Michael Waddell, CBM Field Staff based in the Philippines, helped launch the new program. “When we began to discuss and design SENT Intensive, from the onset, we knew we wanted participants to experience the highs and the lows of living and serving overseas. We intentionally didn’t fill their schedules with activities and events because we wanted them to have the opportunity – and the challenge – of ‘figuring out’ what cross-cultural life and ministry looked like for them.” For three months, the group participated in various activities with local Christians. They joined the Capiz Baptist Youth Fellowship Union’s annual summer camp, which was held in the middle of a rice field with over 400 children and youth participants. They also met with leaders of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches. Through this experience, they learned about the various ministries of the denomination around the country, and they engaged in the convention’s camp and retreat ministry called Camp Higher Ground. The group also travelled to Baguio City, a mountainous area of the Philippines, to attend the Asia Pacific Baptist Youth Conference. At this event, they witnessed more than 1,000 youth and young adults coming together from across the region to learn more about discipleship. “It was our sincere hope that this experience would be a transformative event in the lives of each participant, as well as those they build relationships with in the Philippines,” says Michael. “We wondered how they would live out their faith in a different culture and in a language different than their own. How would they learn from the faith practices of another culture? And, most importantly, how would God use their experiences to shape and transform their lives in the months and years ahead?” Expressed in their own words, the following are reflections from a few SENT Intensive participants:
Ethan Phillips We grew together and experienced many things. At the Asia Pacific Baptist Youth Conference, I came to realize that in my walk with Christ, I need to put in the effort to follow him. Before SENT Intensive, my faith was just on the back burner, but now my routine has changed for the better. Before the trip, I knew that I had to put the effort in, but I never did. I am so glad that I went on this trip, as it changed me, and I will keep the Philippines in my heart now.
Rodney Steeves Dealing with an uncomfortable season in his life, Rodney felt lost when he got called to participate in the program. After a four-year undergraduate degree and not being active in a church, my faith had become stale. And although it was always there, I often was at a loss and angry with God for the situations I was finding myself in. I needed revival. I needed a purpose. I needed to rediscover my Christian identity. SENT Intensive was a life-altering, faithshaping, heart-stretching experience that came at the perfect time in my life. I had no idea what I was going to be doing with my life, but God clearly did as he directed my path to the Philippines. He knew that I was ready for what he had planned for me next – a call to ministry! This trip is just the first step in a long journey, and it has completely changed my life. I can’t wait to see where he will send me next!
