For the next few days, I have the opportunity and privilege to be part of something that is literally not of this world. The band I play in (I guess we’re a band), Surprised By Joy, gets to lead worship for E-TEAM. If you’re not familiar with E-TEAM, here’s a description from FWBGO.com:
E-TEAM is a life-changing, short-term summer missions experience for students who have just completed grades 10, 11, or 12. The program provides a week of intensive training and two weeks of hands-on cross-cultural experience where students learn from and serve with Free Will Baptist missionaries. The experience wraps up with a time of debriefing and closing ceremonies.
Groups consist of seven to nine students led by an adult couple. Destinations have included Japan, France, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Chicago, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, Panama, Brazil, and Cuba.
We were blessed with the opportunity to help lead worship last year and were humbled and honored when we were asked again this year.
When I said it is not of this world, I meant it. These are high school students who have paid or raised thousands of dollars to come and go through training so they can serve others in the name of Christ. Their trip is no vacation. They are paying to be servants.
It is simply amazing to worship with these teenagers. They have no reservations, no egos, and have given up so much to be there.
We’ve jokingly said that our only complaint (tongue in cheek) is that sometimes they sing so loud we can’t hear our own instruments. I’ll definitely take that any day!
If you think of it, pray for these incredible teens and their devoted leaders. They are about to embark on an incredible journey that will make a difference across the globe.