$80,000 For A Youth "Mission Trip"? Paul Washer's Assessment

[@reachhonduras8955]

We are missionaries to Honduras and no one from the States ever checks on us. No phone calls, no emails. When we send out a newsletter to 700+ people, we only get about four responses. The pandemic forced us to stay on the field, so we haven’t been back to the States since 2018. We just forged ahead and toughed it out here with decrease financial support. I am power washing and my wife makes tacos to make ends meet. Our support went down due to the financial stress some of our supporters were under due to the world situation/ inflation. But our staying here during this hard time turned out to be a blessing because we have gotten to understand the culture better and work on the language more. God bless, thanks for listening.

[@cesarsilva9793]

Praise the Lord brother… that is encouraging to hear. I will keep you in my prayers, that the Lord might season your words and give you HIS grace when preaching the gospel. That HE may continue to provide all the sustenance and more In Jesus name. Much love in Christ!

[@reachhonduras8955]

@cesarsilva9793 Thank you for the kind words. 👊🏼

[@amaz-ing3376]

@reachhonduras8955 how can I reach you?

[@rebekahchalkley3252]

That is crazy that no one from the US checks on you. Your sending church is not properly caring for you. I'm sorry to hear you have gone through that. What is the nature of your ministry?

[@annep.1905]

Thanks for sharing. The States need "missionaries" as much as foreign countries.

[@disciple4640]

If your from America, America is a mission field especially now!

[@ShonHarito2]

Europe too! We need many people to go out and spread the gospel. So many "Christians" don't even know it!

[@user-yl3fy9gw6c]

But everyone's already saved and knows everything. Let alone has everything. Shell collection, beach, boat.....no Hell. Blessed are the poor in spirit for it is then that the Gospel IS GOOD NEWS!

[@Daniel-j1y2s]

Exactly. Any church controlling large amounts of money so people in other countries can be paid to do "mission work" have no reason to be doing that. It's a cash grab for these pastors. Whether you're reformed or new apostalic it's all been compromised. Get away from church and find a few families to meet with in your homes for home l bible study and worship. Church business needs to go.

[@liljs4189]

@@user-yl3fy9gw6cyou clearly showed how ignorant you are when your first part of the sentence is "but everyone is already saved"🤦‍♂️

[@user-yl3fy9gw6c]

@@liljs4189 sarcasm

[@samuelmiller4408]

“Counseling is just expository preaching to one person”. This is good. The best counsel I have received has always come from a person with an open Bible in front of them.

[@melvinpeyton728]

May Abba God continue to bless and keep you both safe and well. Thank you for your courage and perseverance to see the blessing in His people and a culture that are fascinating. Hearing how you both grow in skills and strength in Him, I am awed by you both! Praise God for couples like you. GOD BE PRAISED AND JESUS SHINES THROUGH YOU! Thank you again!❤🎉😊

[@annemariemalan724]

Thank God for this honest man.... and yes, people who are offended by the truth, is guilty of doing things to satisfy themselves, and therefor missing out on spiritual growth and annointings.

[@richsuga]

My wife and I minister the gospel on a major university campus. We see a plethora of students eager to go on a "mission trip", for instance during spring break, but who refuse to share the gospel with anyone in their campus in fear that it's too pushy.

[@alexburt-untilallhear9049]

I was about to send this video link to you. :)

[@crocodile7801]

@richsuga My child attends a Christian based university, and they push these mission trips all the time. Open to all.

[@richardlocke3375]

There is an element of lower social pressure to share faith away from your social structures. It’s a baby step do it 2 hours away on the cheap and it is valuable step in discipleship. Nothing encourages learning like trying to teach.

[@annep.1905]

Americans Christians may want to go on missions trips for a variety of reasons, but I think the following all come into play. 1. They hear glowing stories of how the Gospel is shared in other countries, and hundreds come to Christ. This is exciting, and does not promote intensive thought, but immediate action, which is appealing to youth. 2. They may see (perhaps not consciously) the people in front of them as being reached already (which may be partially true), and perhaps as being unreachable (which may or may not be true), because churches are already in every city, town, and countryside. 3. Missions trips are a way to get out and see other parts of the world. I realize this is not the purpose of missions, but is it deniable that some people think of them that way?

[@annep.1905]

Praying for students in universities.

[@trueblue72-ul6lo]

Most Christians need to take their eyes off the ends of the earth and focus on the end of their streets!!

[@MatthewMurraycogswoth]

The great comission indicates we need to do both, geez. Yes we should share the gospel with those in our streets, yes we're also called to make disciples of all nations so it's NOT EITHER OR!

[@Im_The_Real_McCoy]

The end of the street? Brother I'm in Thailand now I know millions of Asian people here who have never even heard the name of Christ much lest learned about repentance sanctification and salvation by substitutionary atonement. Asia is hungry for the gospel, but I bet you can't even find one single person born & raised in America who's never heard the gospel of Christ before. In fact The country is full of anti-thiest reprobates and pro LGBT lukewarm surface level once saved always Christians. These people hate the real gospel of carrying the cross and most just want God to make them rich and famous, ie the explosion of prosperity preaching. Stay overseas. South east Asians want to know about Jesus!

[@GenericYoutubeGuy]

@@MatthewMurraycogswoththe ones in Europe go to Europe, the ones in America go to America. Going across the ocean costs too much money, and most people’s ambitions are to tour across the other continent, or to invest their money in pushing their own views on theology, rather than encouraging Christianity itself.

[@Witness_Testify]

Just the first 3 minutes of this is Massively refreshing to hear someone actually say. Both the question and the intro critique. I have frowned on "patty cake" mission trips for a long time.

[@janegranger6821]

Love Paul Washer. He never fails to get to the truth.

[@michaelgunn9883]

Except when he ignores that prophets still exist today...

[@mamaof8girls920]

We know several young people that regularly go on " foreign mission trips", usually $ 2-4,000 a piece. These are good kids, and they are developing a love for the place they go each year. However, my husband and I, along with our daughters have always opened our home and our table to many of these young people. ON several occasions we needed a few able young men to help us with a project, and we have known many in the local church that have needed help with a task here and there. ..but the same youth that will fund raise and travel abroad to help build a building have no interest in helping in their own back yard. Even the youth that will come routinely for meals,, camp fires,, game nights, etc.. stay away when there is work to be done. We are trying to mentor in this way, but without support of church or parents it's an uphill climb.

[@adoramy2013]

Yes. The church I attended when I was a teenager was more interested in mission trips and setting up orphanages than helping my mother and me when we suddenly lost our dad (who was the sole breadwinner). We had to fend for ourselves. Only two of the church officials tried their best to help us.

[@RepentfollowJesus]

Scary. My husband and I need help with repairs on our falling apart house. I considered contacting a church. We can't go sit in church. Guess we will be on our own until the nursing home. I miss when I was a kid and neighbors helped each other.

[@joanner1427]

There are exceptions, I know young Christians who help the elderly regularly, kids who are raised well will count it a privalage to be able to help​@@RepentfollowJesus

[@kristenspencer9751]

@@RepentfollowJesus I hear your heart. The devil would tempt us to become bitter. Or give up on attending church all together. The Bible says that love shown and demonstrated believer-to-believer was the witness to the pagan world. The early church did not have soup kitchens for the lost, they had soul kitchens for each other! They took care of each other! Shocking! At the time, the pagans watched this new "religion" and they said: "LOOK how they love one another!!" I agree with you that the family of God would do much better to look out for their fellow brothers and sisters.

[@ritadyer9295]

@@adoramy2013that’s so sad. I remember years ago hearing someone teaching about reaching out to single mothers in the church. They need help with things like changing oil in the car, or home repairs, etc. it’s sad the church doesn’t see this. The Bible says to take care of the widows and orphans.

[@liberty2four2]

good to see Paul Washer again, thank God for his recovery

[@123kapul]

What had happened?

[@sayungbin]

What happened?

[@william0203usa2]

There is always money for short term vacationaries, but when a career missionary asks for church support, there isn't money, not even $100 a month. I'm sure there are good short-term trips that lead to people going full time or giving to missions, but I would bet to say 80% of short-term trips are just for feel good vacationaries.

[@airplane800]

I've seen that many times. Foreign missionaries come to the US trying to raise support for real missionaries and don't get any, but for mission trips they have lots of money.

[@ScruffyApologetics]

Seems to me, to be fruit of a truly “seeker friendly” church ethos. Lord forgive us and have mercy.

[@newinsights5496]

You are so right!

[@SS-lz6cb]

So true… Some missionaries take years to raise support Meanwhile Timmy who isn’t saved gets a free $3K trip 🤯 no questions asked America around 2016 spent more $ on short term trips over full-time missions… let that sink in

[@bwilliams1815]

I completely agree with him. Too many times we do not prepare our members before sending them into the world. The resources could be sent to make a better impact. Well stated.

[@airplane800]

Finally, someone saying the truth. Who invented short term mission trip was a travel agent not a Christian. Those trips are just tourism and a waste of money. I was in Haiti teaching a course and some local people said that they could do much more with the money those groups waste on air tickets. Thank you. I wish other church would send the money to the locals that know what to do and speak the language.

[@crusherven]

Paul was a travel agent? Go read Acts. Paul, Barnabas, Silas... they were going on short-term mission trips. Some places they only visited for a couple weeks, and planted churches.

[@hectorgarcia9783]

I know for a fact the many times it isnt better to "just send the money." Lots of countries already invest especially in these third-world countries and nobody knows where the money went afterwards. I lived in Honduras for around 16 years, believe me it's better if them come and do the things themselves. Do you really think no one else has tried to help these countries??? Talk to the locals and ask them about their culture and how much they trust the money just being sent to the people up top to administer the funds.

[@airplane800]

@@hectorgarcia9783 How do you think US churches are. More than 80% of the money given to missions disappear in administration costs. The finance guy from a certain denomination said that many people in the US milk mission money. Some traveling, some paying school for their kids in Switzerland, some paying high salaries for themselves. A certain mission director for a denomination travelled overseas 10 times in a year flying in business class and staying in hotels that cost more than $300 a night. Statistics shows that poor people have more chance to be honest than rich people. A famous psychologist Dan Arieli wrote about that in his book.

[@a.p.mexico1071]

​@@crushervenYou are misunderstanding the main subject, we are talking about Youth Mission Trips and Paul was NOT young. He was an apostle full of theological knowledge and full of the Holy Spirit. There is a HUGE difference between his mission trips with the fun trips that many of the Christian Youth do under the label of Missions. Mature christians and pastors or people in a level of leadership in the ministry, of course that can do short term missions trips. Stay focus, God Bless you!

[@crusherven]

@@a.p.mexico1071 if you look, you will see that the post I responded to made no such distinction. He evidently believes all short term trips are frivolous, and I disagree.

[@BrianMcLaughlin-ds2hc]

Man, I gotta listen to this a couple of times. What a blessing when believers are biblically discipled (in person) and shown the biblical ways (!as per scripture) rather than just trying to read about how to piece together, or discipleship in some other idea of normal pious living

[@brittneyrussell1766]

I went on a short term mission trip to Haiti. The ministry leader made a point that has stayed with me all these years. He said that short term missions change the one who is sent more than those who they go to help. He was meaning it in a good way. He talked about how we are never the same after going on a mission trip and how it sparks a fire for missions in our hearts. That's how I view them now. They don't really have a lasting spiritual impact on those we go to serve, but the impact it can have on us may be worth it. I totally agree with Washer though, and have for years after learning of the damage that short term missions has on those ppl groups. We should support the ones who are there day in and day out.

[@noname7496]

It is better to serve, than to be served. If doing something serves us, more than the people we are serving, then that is a selfish motive.

[@bluegorillacookies]

So when Paul wrote it’s more blessed to give than to recieve….hes saying it’s selfish to give? C’mon

[@airplane800]

Tourism has the same effect. Go preach to your Neighbour and will have the same effect. Mission trips are just tourism. Waste of money. It doesn't change anyone. I've seen hundreds of people that went on a mission trip and are terrible Christians.

[@nathanc2846]

As a long term missionary I have had the experience of hosting short term missions teams. Their are two types of teams: The most common is the team that says this is what we want to do while we are there here is our schedule and want list figure out how to make it happen! The rarer short term mission team is the team that comes down asking how can they partner with the ministries we are already doing. Wow what a difference it makes to have a short term come alongside what we are doing. The excitement they bring and the help they are is truly life giving! I love short term missions trips when done in a responsible way, but unfortunately many are short term feel good vacations. If you are planning on short term mission trip ask the missionaries how you can partner, help, and bless what they are doing.

[@TheAngieIshmael]

🙏🏽

[@Jaxorian]

Amen! It's about time somebody else started saying this as well.

[@-RM-]

I am so glad brother Paul said this! I've felt that these expensive "youth group mission trips" were problematic and focused on the wrong things.

[@helendeacon7637]

I cannot express how relieved I am to hear this.

[@reachhonduras8955]

Me too!

[@billjenkins2503]

Love this guy, true lover of Jesus Christ, obediant to the bible

[@brucecooper7905]

My "mission trip" was a stint in the USAF in the early '70's stationed TDY (temporary duty) around the globe. Turned out that the actual "field" itself were my comrades.

[@davidmackie3497]

The head of my church's mission committee said it well, I think: "I used to be opposed to youth mission trips, because so few of those youth go on to become missionaries. Then I spoke to our missionaries about it, and found out that nearly all of them became missionaries due to having been on youth missions trips." It's also true that, of the non-missionaries in our church with a strong burden for supporting missionaries, who are prayer warriors for them and who put their bank accounts into missions their entire lives, most of them first went themselves on youth missions trips. It's like sports, if you'll forgive the analogy. Who are the most rabid sports fans as adults? People who played on a team in their youth -- even if they stunk and mostly sat the bench.

[@crusherven]

I was thinking the same thing. A lot of youth go on these trips and don't (seem to) change at all. But there are a lot of missionaries and evangelists who went on a trip like that and it changed their life.

[@matthewperry2767]

Good to see you again, Pastor Washer. I hope you’re balancing your work/life schedule.

[@JaretPatterson316]

Boy he hit the Lawson news before it came out, if your a pastor who is on the road more weeks then you are at your church, you are not a Shepard your a conference speaker who had a home church. I love Lawson but Paul is right no matter how good you can exposit the scripture if your away your not that church’s pastor

[@phild9813]

Did Lawson travel that much? I really don’t know.

[@SavinelliMike]

@@phild9813dude had a tour through Europe that cost tens of thousands staying in luxury hotels

[@GregTonkinson]

The question itself is incredibly leading and fairly obvious as to what answer the person wanted - "how do you address the concern of including individuals, especially youth, who may not be truly regenerated but are involved with witnessing and evangelizing." Here's a question that could have been asked - "Clearly, there are spaces where non-believers (regardless of age) should not be identifying as Christians (e.g. - certain positions in the church, short-term missions focused on evangelism). With that said, do you think it is ever okay to have a church send Christians to other places in the U.S. or the world, for a short period of time, to support the on-going works of indigenousness local churches or Christian non-profits?" I find it troubling that Paul not only sees no benefit to the growth of the believer participating in such an endeavor as well as the support for the pastor/church on the ground (which seemingly in most cases is both needed and beneficial), but would deem such an act as unbiblical. The examples he provides are purposefully provocative and involving incredible assumptions. Yes, sending a group anywhere is expensive, but so many people have gone on such trips that involved raising support whereby the ones giving receive so much joy in participating. Added to this, the amount of growth many of us have experienced in areas of spiritual growth, compassion for those who have much less, being in situations that force me to live by faith, appreciating different cultures, a better understanding of global Christianity vs American Christianity, and the list goes on. I am saddened that may of the people commenting seemingly would never go on a short-term mission trip nor would they ever send their kids on one. Funny thing is, albeit anecdotally, every trip I've been on has been welcomed by the local church/non-profit so much so that we're always asked to return for further support, encouragement, prayer, etc. If the hang-up is in the name, then perhaps change the name (e.g. Short-term local church support).

[@noalliances]

Too many people I know need to hear this message, but have hardened their hearts and have fully embraced their own way of "missions." Semper reformanda brother.

[@Donnanmaui]

We need more Men of God like this willing to speak the truth!!! Thank you Mr Washer!!!!

[@brandonshuttleworth8374]

Seems like Mr. Washer is one of the very few who stand firm and continue the course. We are living in a modern day Babylon.

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

Amen. Many who were involved in such trips as young men and women will come to a cynical realization in a few years that their trips were poverty tourism, because there was no calling, only opportunity presented by enthusiastic trip leaders and parents who had the money to pay for the trip. People can argue that sharing the Gospel should not be a purely economic consideration and that there might be participants who are inspired to become full-time missionaries. Still, we must be good stewards, and a process of raising vocational missionaries should be observed. Mr. Washer is right.

[@petrusvandenbergh6587]

Thank you Paul ,,, Never apologise for stirring up people with the truth ,, we not here to "tickle" people's ears with silly pleasantries . The truth sets us free AMEN !

[@geneevans3474]

Having led youth on mission trips I can only say “Amen” to Paul Washer’s evaluation of what “Mission” or “Missionary” means. Yet it seems like God can work in spite of our practice. So, what would it look like if we did “missions” the Biblical way? May God direct our efforts to spread the Gospel!

[@bezelapplegate4117]

I’ve been thinking about this too. If I was to take a youth group from my church, it would probably take us three years to get to the mission field. I studied missions at the undergraduate level and have been involved in volunteer missions work in Central and South America. I have seen missions work done very poorly from very affluent churches (Saddleback) and work done extremely well from churches with limited budgets (FSBC in Colo. Spgs., CO). Give me a team of volunteers who love Jesus and want to make disciples, and want to serve their Christian families in other countries; and you’ll have a great missions ministry. You don’t need an expensive budget with “experts” you just need qualified men and women who can make disciples of the nations.

[@iankristofer1]

Enjoyed this, and slso the Apostles were also sent out by Christ before He was resurected. Needs to be noted! (Full time missionary of 10 years commenting)

[@alanmunch5779]

Good point, that’s clearly correct. Were the seventy sent out by Jesus called apostles, as well as the Twelve? i.e. is the word ‘apostolos’ used of them too? I shall try to look it up too, but thought I’d ask.

[@iankristofer1]

@@alanmunch5779 that's why i almost didn't comment lol, cause I think one gospel may call them that, but my point to continue thinking with others was more Him sending them out with His God given authority pre-Holy Spirit vs your point of the definition of apostle :-)

[@AlbertRomo-h6w]

Totally agree, raising money for youth mission is throwing money away.

[@arepadetrigo]

His thoughts and advice about spiritual gifts and church organization are solid and on target.

[@robdickinson829]

When I was a boy my church was playing for a missionary and his family living in Africa some place I can't remember. He was a bush piolet and every few years he come to our church and tell stories, never about conversion or sharing the gospel but how hard life was in Africa and how different Christianity is ( better) is what he meant. They never say how it's different, just an underlying there better than you. Now we need more money.

[@joycebegnaud9645]

I see comments from people living in Africa, saying they have many false prophets, and a lot of those deliverance ministries. And also the prosperity gospel going on there. So it’s kind of just like what’s going on here.

[@reachhonduras8955]

AMEN! We are missionaries to Honduras and we agree. The mission field is extremely tough and the idea of hosting a team of youth is distracting from the actual work here. In addition, the current world situation. We haven’t been back to the States since 2018 because of the pandemic. We chose to tough it out here and press forward during an extremely difficult time. Missions is a dedication that many times the young people do not have the maturity to understand.

[@andrewcoleman77]

You are missing out on developing young people and having the opportunity to deeply form and guide in them a realistic 'misson vision'. John-Mark was eventually welcomed back and was useful to Paul. Don't be so myopic regarding the next generation of missionaries.

[@andrewcoleman77]

We have served in the most closed-off dangerous and difficult country in North Africa. 98%Islamic. And we used youth effectively. Many are back on the field as adults. All depends on whether you have vision and heart for it.

[@abrahamissac5938]

I would call these Field Trips….Not Mission Trips.

[@miguelmendoza9617]

Thank you for saying it so clearly

[@joeh8130]

“pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:38

[@janinevanreenen9470]

Yes! Preach! This has been my heart cry! Same with that money being used to actually change the plight of the poor!

[@simonallchin7436]

€60m!!! We can’t even find €100 000 which we desperately need to get bigger premises for our Church in a poor , run down area in Marseille, France ! And we are in a real mission field , surrounded by a large Muslim population…

[@berean1703]

Keep going Simon!

[@helderalexandre4952]

I praise God for the experience He granted to Brother Paul. And may the Lord open the eyes of the reformed church, in their zeal, over and over again have thrown the baby with the bathwater, have fought false and wrong teachers and distant themselves from biblical truth not to give the appearance of endorsing false or wrong teachers.

[@rogeronthesouthfork175]

As someone heavily involved in missions for many years, I agree. There are only two aspects that are positive- it might plant a seed in a young person's heart, and often it does encourage the people visited that somoene cared anough to come... but you DO need to be selective and prudent! We need to be good stewards.

[@nikkileeyork]

Wow, many many good things to think about.

[@glorify103]

I'm from India, doing freedom ministry of Kingdom of God And made many fields and making church one by one maybe next year will be complete one church. Please pray for India 🙏🏻

[@TheLifeHeLives-HeLivesToGod]

That was really helpful!

[@amelajay]

I think practical service teams are great for older kids to be involved with-- which exist plenty at home... this is visible in Samaritan's Purse helping with storm recovery currently or a neighborhood project... not much different than what a boy scout would do. if God leads a teen to be able to speak up and share the gospel or some dire needed encouragement, great. taking care of eachother as a team is fantastic, and kids need to think outside of themselves, but they need as much to be available to serve their own families, communities, and friends faithfully while they grow in faith. that said, trips for young people to go learn something could be worthwhile, too, but call it what it is, and use that time for all it can be. I'm blessed to have pastors that focus on the church and extend the ministry to the neighborhood. it's plenty to be focusing on. then there are those men from inside the church who evangelize nearby because they are gifted in that. Great video and important discussion to be having.

[@deeshafer7465]

Pastor Paul,, Thanks for term missionary clearly expounded. Praise God ❤️

[@Gracetoyou7]

He is speaking the absolute truth, he should NOT be quiet! Especially the fact that, the church is in New York.

[@danielbright2916]

@04:00 it's where we get The Mass from. Erroneously referred to meaning the same as the eucharist. It was in reference to how the congregation was sent out at the end of the meeting.

[@spartacusgladiator]

I lived overseas for over 25 years as a Marine Officer and an educator for the U S Dept of Defense in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. I have seen a plethora of (Youth Short Term Missionaries) As I talked to them, very few have MEMORIZED the WORD. They dont know the indigenous language. Most are painting a few buildings and show a "Jesus" film. I always tell these leaders of the kids that they could use that money more effectively to send young men from that country to the Master's Seminary. I myself while on active duty and stationed in the Los Angeles area went to the Masters and Talbot Seminary. My background undergraduate degree was at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles BIOLA. If going to war you need to know how to use your weapons. Those weapons are the Bible and then living out the Bible. Stop wasting Gods money for a boondoggle vacation to Thailand then to show a few photos on a Sunday Night Missionary night to look good to your congregation.

[@iammzparka]

Let me tell you about, Uncle Paul!!! This man does NOT PLAY when it comes to holiness!!!! Step on our toes, sir!

[@walkindalight]

AMEN and AMEN! 😎🙏 There is a very real & common temptation for church leaders to get so focused on getting young people involved in church activities that they assume that they are making disciples, when it’s often just a whole lot of busy-ness.

[@FrankRollberg]

Excellent!!!

[@lionheart93]

Churches should have a system that intention and be able to place the right people with the right gifts. Pray for these and God will guide our churches and leadership

[@CadenMcMullen]

I agree with Paul Washer’s premise that Biblical missions is defined by elder qualified men planting churches. However, I also believe short term mission trips can have tremendous value when your ministry is to other Christians. I had the privilege of going to Sri Lanka and meeting with pastors and their churches to teach, pray, and encourage. It had tremendous impact on both parties involved. Our group also interviewed each of those pastors that we visited. Although the Bible remains the main source of motivation and instruction in the christian life, those testimonies have tremendous impact on other christians back home. I have seen them convict, comfort, and encourage christians to carry out the Great Commission in their context. There can be tremendous value in short terms missions when the focus is on other christians.

[@emmanueltemilade2547]

That was great

[@monkeyshinserman]

While there are a lot of missions that do more harm than good, there’s also a lot that leave lasting impact. I love Paul’s dedication to Scripture, and his exhortation to stick to the true Christ, but we need to recognize that none of us, Paul Washer included, presents to God anything that is of any merit or worthwhile. Our works are as soiled rags. God knows this and accepts it anyway. Like a terrible crayon drawing from a child, He loves when His children seek Him in spirit and truth. So I believe God uses our efforts and accepts our worship when we earnestly seek Him.

[@th60064]

When I was in a church in NY they had a missions team and they would go on mission trips but they were very superficial. Their trips were only a week long and no mention of God's truth it was all about using God for gain. It was used to promote the mission leader's dentistry business and to give people old worn out clothing.

[@lavaudana]

😢😢😢

[@amandaturner8928]

😓

[@caridadrevilla2439]

Horrible

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

Sense and truth.

[@Jeff-m5x3j]

I think the only benefit of youth going overseas is to introduce them to overseas work and wet their appetite, but to send these large numbers of rowdy monsters into a delicate area can do much more harm than good. Trips that include youth should be a small number of specially selected youth along with a larger number of qualified adults. I don’t care how many pair of socks you hand out, how many skits are done at a Vacation Bible School, or how many shoddy buildings are built. If the local church is not encouraged and built up spiritually or future church planters are not created, what good is it?

[@AliyahNadeau]

Sadly many of the teens I grew up with that went on missions trips were never saved,many of them have completely deconstructed.I remember as a teen I felt like a failure for not going on missions trips and now as an adult I am so thankful that I never did because now that I look back I had a 🌽 addiction,didn’t know my Bible or even how to study or read in context and mainly just wanted to feel approved of by those around me,I wanted to feel extra spiritual.

[@SethYoderMusic]

A lot of short-term mission trips are a waste of time and money, and should be called tourist trips or work projects. But not all short term mission trips should be condemned. "No biblical grounds?" That's a little severe, don't you think? I totally get and agree with Paul's point though.

[@Rebel_Leader7]

If you got out of your feelings, you would agree that all Paul said is true. The truth is severe and no respecter of persons, feelings or groups. You and I know the model he condemns as unbiblical is truly that. The YWAMs of this world and other youth jamborees tagged “missions”. They are more damaging to those unsaved youth who are sent on those vacationaries than they are a help to the indigenous people at the locations where these youth are sent to mess around and burn money for a week. Those youth are being failed by their so called churches. What should be happening is they should be teaching these kids the gospel in their local churches and shepherding their souls onto real repentance and righteousness in Christ. Then if some of them truly grow and are called into any sort of ministry, they can be prayerfully equipped and properly helped to assume that ministry. Children running all over the place is an indictment on the state of the church.

[@airplane800]

I agree. I see that all the time. I work on an airport. Those kids could care less about the locals. It is just tourism.

[@arepadetrigo]

Good comment.

[@crusherven]

Today, Paul's missionary journeys would be called "short term missions." I think we can and should do them better, but I agree that there's a place for them.

[@timslee0618]

A lot of mission trips I have been on was hosting a christian concert at a church, volunteer at a christian orphanage, or run a VBS at church

[@mamaof8girls920]

Wow! 6 years plus without coming home. (Although with all of the changes that have happened in the last few years here, it would probably not feel like home) Is it just the two of you? We still have five daughters at home. We would like to pray for you and your work. We sponsored a child in Honduras for 18 years. Blessings to you.

[@tpatchie]

Pastor Paul All you reveal is so relevant that opens our ears eyes spiritually also enriching clarification how what and where our gifting could be utilised to enhance the living word meeting those needs of all whom search to overcome affliction , sufferings , physical , emotional physiological, equipping all with the tools to deal and move forward where all good things exalt and edify each other and Heavenly Father great commission Should it requires sternness directly Then that’s being honest 🙏

[@sageantone7291]

Enough of going to the third world with telescopic philanthropy, when there are so many in our own communities suffering. It's madness.

[@jonslagill8864]

we should be doing both.

[@jadedrac0]

And ignore the great commission?! A Christian who ignores this command is no Christian at all.

[@defi5]

@@jadedrac0I think you misunderstand the great commission. The great commission includes your own back yard whether you’re traveling 1500 feet or 1500 miles to peach and teach the gospel.

[@jadedrac0]

@@defi5 I don’t misunderstand. The op just advocated to stop sending this attitude is so wrong on many levels.

[@JCRVEx]

As an Indian Christian doctor serving in India, Id love to see solid Western Christians staying back in their own country, as the Lord leads of course. Having spent 2 years in the UK, I realise the West really really needs the true Jesus! India has had the gospel for many decades and even remote villages are being reached through indigenous servants of God. I'm not sure about other 3rd world countries. May God's will be done for our lives. If we're called to a 3rd world country, great.. if not, great.. as long as we're in the center of His will

[@wagoholics]

Powerful

[@_servantofjesuschrist_]

I feel the biggest issue with the focus on theology is this scripture. 1Co 2:4-5 (KJV) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. The power is the Holy Spirit for conversion. Not in doctrine. Doctrine has its place to prevent leavening etc… but for evangelism it’s 100 percent Holy Spirit and God’s power in conversion. It’s a Godly sorrow that works repentance. Doesn’t mean avoid doctrine, but it should be a distant secondary to the power and demonstration of God alone. In my conversion and new birth I had little to no knowledge on major theological points and emphasis touted today.

[@jeremyhewitt2637]

This is the truth!!! Equip like Paul did. He is the model that Jesus gave us(the apostle Paul I am referring to)

[@cd3dnw]

Church I went to sent a youth group to Africa, one got sick and died, that is missions dangerous and to be taken seriously, they even fundraised for a safari at the end of their “mission” trip (prior to the passing of the kid.)

[@AllegiancetoYahweh]

Junia is called an apostle, and Phoebe was called a deacon, do you believe these jobs were only to run a godly home?

[@gwilson314]

Not sure. What I do know is they were certainly less insufferable than you're being.

[@MaskedMarble]

I watched the first 2 minutes of this video and then stopped because I get the gist of what Paul is arguing, and he is overlooking an important point: There is an impact of a missions trip on those teens themselves. Most American kids in our pampered entitled Western culture where people apparently have enough free time to argue over whether we should affirm the psychosis of gender dysphoria, have no clue what real life is like in much of the rest of the world. The potential impact of the mission trip experience on the teens themselves can be invaluable and life-changing. The two teen mission trips I went on have informed my entire worldview to this day, and enable me to avoid the worship of western culture, but to instead think critically about it, as I have experienced real-world alternatives with which to compare it. If Paul wants to boil things down to a mere cost-benefit analysis of the opportunity cost of short term missions versus pastor training, then it sounds like he doesn't believe that the God of the universe owns the cattle on 1000 hills, and can financially provide for any and all endeavors. This starvation mentality, that sending teens on a mission trip prevents the training of 10 native pastors, is a false dichotomy. And the characterization of teens running around out of control must therefore be ineffective missionaries (without maturely understanding that perhaps they have a lot of energy, and are still humans in training, or are so invigorated by the missionary trip experience that they don't know how to contain their excitement, and can touch people's hearts by their mere willingness to serve even if they cannot speak the language), and the characterization of trained local pastors as effective for the kingdom of God, overlooks the reality of human nature: Any one of those local trained pastors could become the next predator who violates an underage girl within the church. You never know what choices any individual person is going to make, so you cannot predict their impact for (or damage to) God's kingdom through a mere cost analysis. One of those mission trip kids could become the next Billy Graham or Saint Patrick. While those trained pastors could become wolves in sheep's clothing. You never know how God is going to work or through whom he is going to work, and a scarcity mentality is simply a red herring here. Stop the false dichotomies. Stop limiting God. Stop putting God in a box. Stop leaning on your own understanding. Stop imposing your own limited understanding of God's goals and using that to rationalize a criticism against youth that chose to participate on a missions trip instead of stay home and fall into the traps that most American youth fall into. You may think training indigenous pastors is the best thing since sliced bread, and even generate statistics to prove it. Meanwhile, God can convert a single Saul into an Apostle Paul and reach more people for Christ with that person over centuries than 1000 indigenous pastors ever will. You never know what God is going to do, so why do you presume to know how he is going to carry out his will?

[@JoeyDoingThings]

@@MaskedMarble yeah, the truth here is that Paul is a joyless person, who saw youth enjoying themselves in a public space, and he is crotchety, and didn’t like it, so he wrote a sermon to complain, and used scripture poorly to prove his opinion. The only time Paul is happy is when he is complaining. This message is a bunch of clanging cymbals.

[@gwilson314]

Actually you kind of confirm his point. Biblically, "missions" is never about the psychological "impact" on those going. Such navel-gazing, find-yourself-on-your-own-journey new age philosophy is decidedly unchristian. Biblically, missions is about making new disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to do what Jesus instructs. It's to transform villages and tribes and nations so that they proclaim God's name and His Kingdom grows. If all you received from these trips was what you claimed, that you learned not to worship western culture, then buddy you're arguing against yourself here.

[@BongoBingo17]

@@gwilson314I don’t disagree, but after 13 yrs overseas I am more struck at how the Lord has gently grown me through it all, and accomplished His purpose more despite me than because of any of what i had to offer. In fact, i have found one hurdle for missionaries is to get over that they need to “do” for God, like we have something to offer and He needs us. But rather despite our own brokenness we can get up each day in the joy that He genuinely values us and wants to use us.

[@JoeyDoingThings]

@@BongoBingo17 Paul doesn’t understand your sentiment, he is all about works, and thinks that works proves salvation. He doesn’t have faith of a child, he doesn’t like children. He has faith of a pharisee, and although he doesn’t know it, he thinks righteousness is a result of works. He has taken James to the extreme, and I wonder if he even likes Paul the apostle? Phil is all about works, and he is woefully in danger, but he would argue that anyone who doesn’t believe as he does is in trouble. Mark my words… if Paul doesn’t repent from his false “gospel’”, he will be in danger. It is by Grace alone that we are saved, and not a result of our own works, but by His work on the cross that we are saved, so that no man can boast, Paul thinks he can save himself. This message is a result of Phil’s heart, and it is woefully lost.

[@mervjenkins4153]

So good to hear this explained Biblically and communicated clearly and unapologetically! - Many churches idea of 'Mission' is exactly that; just an idea! "Maybe that's what's wrong with the Reformed movement..." WAW!! - Good to hear someone from the Reformed stable, hint that John Calvin (as gifted as he was) was wrong about a few things!!

[@gwilson314]

Indeed! It's easy to be Biblical when you drop all the added Systems and focus on Scripture!

[@dpixvid]

Very true about the costs of airline flights for a group of short termers... could be more strategically spent... have done quite a few short term trips. Most were to the same 2 places for repeated investment in those ministries and orphanage.

[@JerryWitt-n7z]

there are some things Mr. Washer is not considering. I’m tired of the church saying that there are no young people interested in Missions or even in scripture and then they say things like these. Do I agree with everything YWAM does or any other ministry that sends youth? No, but do they ignite a fire in some of them to serve Christ for the rest of their life? yes. Also, Missionary is not even a biblical Term. Not just that but Many missionaries are not even biblically aligned according to the few examples we see in scripture. I was raised as a missionary Kid and I have lived as a “sent one” for the last 22 years of my life.

[@asureguidetolove8903]

Brother Paul! There are biblical grounds. Love thy neighbor. Not saying we have grounds for doing it any way we want, but we do have grounds.

[@sueregan2782]

Vanguard Presbytery, founded in 2020, uses this structure. They have reinstituted the office of Evangelist. Their growth model is to evangelize the lost. So, they are planting new churches throughout the USA, supporting Pastors and Evangelists who have these gifts.

[@bossabassa364]

It won’t be long before africas and Asians and Latin Americans are sending missionaries to us

[@BongoBingo17]

I went on a short term missions trip overseas when i was 19, I think the Lord used that in my life to gently nudge me towards missions. My wife and i have been overseas with a mission org for 13 yrs now, short term missions played a small role in both our lives. However, I don’t disagree that a short term mission could not be a misguided misuse of energy and resources that primarily creates work for those enabling it in the target location…Each trip and the intent of the trip needs to be weighed and individually, there aren’t any simple answers to plaster on every situation.

[@KenjiHouston]

From 3 to 18 and beyond, youth need to be taught the tenets of the faith. From 13 and beyond, youth need to learn to serve.

[@UneducatedandUntrainedPastor]

Read through their bible, yes. Read through a systematic theology, no. Trained” in the matters of evangelism….. by who? How about prayer, read your bible, seek the council of your local church, and pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

[@angloaust1575]

Youth with a mission Ywam I was involved briefly just after conversion unsound doctrine Was being taught and too much emphasis on tongues Signs and wonders God led me.out of it!

[@francoisgoosen9529]

What a pity! Are you sure it was God that lead you out? Or was it someone like Paul Washer? If so then move right back into where you came from.

[@angloaust1575]

What communion hath light With darkness!

[@DesmondBold]

I agree totally, however, men like Paul Washer are few and far between in the missions. If we had the support to do this here, I would go back to the mission field tomorrow, unfortunately, the money never comes to those woking in the fields, harvesting. I have seen many outreaches where people go for a week or two on a outreach, and the amount of money they spend, would have lasted us a year in the field. Our hearts long for the mission field, but financially, we just can afford it by ourselves any longer, and I know of many others who have the same challenges in Africa. I know, it can be done.

[@nigelmills1977]

As an Australian missionary in Mozambique I 100% agree with you. It’s very hard for me to be as effective as I would absolutely love to be because of the financial difficulties which basically stems from a lack of support. To stay focused on the mission work instead of trying to do that and something to help our financial situation is something that we struggle with but thankfully haven’t been taken over by. Like i say it’s hard to be as effective as we would love to be.

[@davidadams8726]

I attended a church where members would get people to sponsor their mission trip for about $4,000 to a place like Bosnia for like two weeks. It took eight hours to go from Atlanta to London to Bosnia, two weeks there, then eight hours from Bosnia back to London, and finally eight hours from London back to Atlanta. Later when I asked the church to assist a lady in the church, they asked where she lived. She lived in Lovejoy. Their reply was, "Brother, that is an hour away." Oh excuse me. If she was in Bosnia, no problem, but an hour away, problem . . . . . . These 'mission trips' are just 'free' vacations overseas.

[@steve1302000]

Why would someone be critical of how another church spends their money. What if a dozen of those 40 young people had their hearts touched during that mission trip that they later go into full time missions? Who cares if someone doesn't know what the word missionary means in the original language? Simply shining the light of Christ on a lost people is the great commission

[@HiThereHeyThere]

Original video link please??

[@JCRVEx]

Indian doctor here who spent 2 years in the UK then returned back to a remote village in India. It had nothing to do with adventure or conscience-easing. We are God's mission. He is making us more like Christ. Where we are to serve comes later.. He will show us. His will be done. Having said that, Praise God for young people who love Jesus and want to serve Him. Don't let people and culture manipulate you. He has the best for His Kingdom in mind and a place in that for each of us.

[@lavaudana]

🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪 todas las naciones bendecidas por el mensaje del Evangelio

[@gemmagrajalesotalvaro2568]

Como me gustaría que huviera un traductor y escuchar el mensaje en español, del ingles no entiendo nada .

[@leenieledejo6849]

No es muy interesante. Mejor la Biblia

[@Franklin-ww6nc]

There are a lot of holes. I know my gifts but not because someone helped me discern them other than my pastor called me nothing but an irritation. I thought about that for years. I would say I guess I have the gift of irritation. But then I realized it's the gift of exhortation.

[@yomoseo]

That question was wild

[@jamesbraddy2408]

I have taken serval youth teams overseas. We conducted kids crusades, teen crusades, saw many come to Christ and several of those young people go on to be missionaries themselves. A return to a particular field 30 years later I met several who were still serving Christ having found Christ a Savior during one of our outreaches. A generalization not fitting all missions outreaches.

[@teddyf.1173]

Crusades ?!? Kids crusades ?!? Teen crusades ?!? 🤔🤨😳

[@jamesbraddy2408]

@@teddyf.1173 in Belieze, Romania, Japan twice.

[@crocodile7801]

Yes, yes and yes..love you brother Paul❤

[@JacobyNoctis]

While i cant speak of every youngin being sent on short terms missions, my wife went on one as a teen and it transformed her life. But she is an unique case

[@smmcb647]

The first problem is church leadership not recognising the mission field in their own cities. The second problem is members going beyond their own church yard and demonstrating the love of Christ that are innovative, creative and meet real needs.

[@samvm186]

Finallly he said he is an Apóstolos of the church 😊 very edifying sermon loyal to scritptures

[@Veretax]

Paul brings up the that has those three additional offices that are definitely for the church the Evangelist the teacher etcetera those are specific offices that have specific functions within the church. But if you go back and you look at Corinthians you find that there are many gifts used inside the church and those gifts are maybe used by people who don't have a title or position. When we we volunteered to take time to make food for people who are sick we don't do so because oh you have the title of food maker or food delivery. So it would be dangerous to assume that the only people who do work for the church are those who have titles . Now I do think he has some point about short-term missions. I used to go to a church that set people to a certain African nation adults and teens and they were focused on one region I have no idea what they did except talk to people I'm not sure what they did to prepare beforehand but one thing I did see was that almost seemed like a a point of Pride among some to be involved in that either to support it or be able to go. But everybody had to find their own way to get there from what I understand. And yet I see churches do this and I'm not saying it's bad especially if churches are actually being planted. What drives me crazy is when they seemed to do almost nothing in local missions. Local Outreach and there's a lot of small groups that come together and they might decide to do something together but I digress. My wife went on one of those and it had a profound impact on her faith. it helped her encourage me early in my marriage to her. Her group did John the presentations with lots of hand emotions. It's funny though that Paul put so much emphasis on the training of these pastors sorry I'm sorry missionaries but but how many of these pastors coming out of Seminary are actually saved? How many are just hirings how many are so stuck up on Calvinism that they can't even read the Bible clearly if they tried? So while I could agree that he may have a point about short-term missions I disagree that it necessarily has negligible impacts on locals. I just refuse to believe that somebody who honestly goes for the Lord and witnesses to others that that God's word returns void in the case when they do it. But it seems to me Paul just doesn't want to handle here the Abundant energy of Youth he would rather people sit calmly and coldly in a calvinist church hearing what he has to preach and not questioning and not reaching out it really is kind of sad because people joke that a church that really becomes Calvinists stops doing missions stop seeing the value of them and that you read that and you can't help feel that undercurrent here despite what he says

[@kimberlybanufong5423]

Money 💰 should NEVER be in ANY discussion concerning God’s Word PERIOD

[@infantryrecon101st]

You’ll be judged just as you are judging others, the body of Christ needs to be unified right now not tearing each other apart like the enemy does already, and wants us all to be fighting sadly. Give people more grace and love. Don’t worry about what they are doing and worry about your own walk, everyone is accountable for their own actions let them be and just love them and pray for them. Don’t be puffed up by knowledge, but be humbled because just when you think you have it all figured out you’re completely wrong and walking in pride. He knows all and we don’t, walk with humility and lean on Him and the Holy Spirit not your own understanding.

[@Cmbtvtrn05]

Amen brother.

[@ComeJesusChrist]

Every single country in the West needs missionaries on their streets and everywhere they could preach the Gospel of Christ as most don’t even know what it is anymore. It is even more concerning that false teachers and false theology are widespread in Christian churches. A church that wants to send young people to other countries, especially with strong Christian heritage should really make sure that their closer home is served, helped, supported and that the Church remains the salt of the earth, acting like earthly embassies of the heavenly Kingdom.

[@bethechurchministry]

This good!!!