Mark 16:15, New International Version

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Coria Brock:

The mission trip to the Philippines was more like a personal vacation to me. Not only because this was my fourth time there, but it was a reunion with many brothers and sisters I have known for many years. Some of them became a family to me even before I married and moved to the United States. One special sister in Christ is actually the person who told me about Jesus.

My life has crossed paths with them for more than fifteen years, and some things that have happened during that time are now Christ’ testimonies. On the last day of our trip, the pastor, my dear brother and friend, shared one of these testimonies with me…

“Sister Coria, do you recognize the TV we use as a monitor that is hanging in front of you? (I surely had no idea) This is the TV that belonged to you and that I watched when I visited you at your apartment in Hong Kong. You freely gave me this TV when you left Hong Kong to move to the United States. I was blessed to receive it, and we are still using it today.”

He then told me more, “Do you remember that someone broke into our church after your last mission trip to the Philippines five years ago? They stole all the sound and music equipment at the church, and they took the TV and laid down in front of the church door. Yet, they must have forgotten to move it to their car because this TV was the only thing we had left, and it is a miracle!”

A miracle God had made so that a testimony could be shared on that specific Sunday!

While on this trip, I witnessed unbelievers accept Jesus, those who had turned from the faith have come back to Christ, as many who were following a religion come to truly know Jesus is their Lord and Savior. Yet, this is not a one time thing to me. I live my life for Him every day. I am a missionary sent out from my homeland to the United States. I live here and I bring my faith with me. When God sends me out to any part of the world, it is just a part of my missionary journey. My life with Christ does not change whether I am in Hong Kong or the United States. With every decision and action that I make I am serving my Lord. I am ALL IN to go to wherever Jesus calls me!

For the record, this may be a mission trip, however, it is truly about a life-long relationship. There may be challenges, but my life reflects the love of Jesus. Thank you, God!

Christopher Brock:

I am always excited to go on mission trips, and for this one I would say that I was even more excited than normal. I was excited to get to see my friends and brothers and sisters in Christ who I have now known for years. I also knew that on this trip there would be ample opportunity to teach the Word of the Lord, which is my passion.

Beginning on the first day of work we began to visit different churches and share the Word with the believers. Over the course of the trip the team had the opportunity to share in nearly a dozen churches over eighteen services and outreaches.

One of the highlights for me was on the first Sunday that we were there. On that day the team split up into five groups of two. Thirteen-year-old Wyatt went with me, and we went to three different churches to teach the Word. We got to drive through many towns and villages in the province of Pangasinan and meet many wonderful people. We also were blessed to have some great food at the churches as well. It was truly a blessed day.

There were many other things that happened but one thing that really touched me was to see the unity of the Body of Christ as we worked and served together. God is doing amazing things all across the world and it continues to be a blessing to be a part of it!

CJ Brock: 

I thought it was an amazing first mission trip, and I am very thankful that God put me on that path to go to the Philippines. I had tons of fun, and I loved spreading the word there.