Christ for the City International•Articles by: Lindsay Blake

Author: Lindsay Blake

New Culture, Same God

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
— Philippians 2:3–4

You’re headed somewhere new!

A new city. A new country. New food. New rhythms. New faces.

But stepping into another culture doesn’t just expand your passport stamps. It stretches your heart—in all the best ways.

Whether it’s the pace of life, how people greet one another, how meals are shared, or how time is viewed, you’re about to experience the beauty of doing life differently.

And here’s the good news:
New culture. Same God.

What Is Culture, Really?

Culture is how a group of people lives, thinks, works, eats, laughs—and worships.

Some parts of culture are obvious. Others are so deeply woven into daily life that you don’t even notice them… until you leave your own bubble.

God created culture. All of it. The diversity, the languages, the traditions, the expressions of worship. When we approach culture with curiosity instead of comparison, we get to see His creativity up close.

Before you go, take time to learn about the community you’ll be serving.
The more you understand, the more you’ll connect.

Look for similarities.
Learn from the differences.

Expect the Unexpected (Especially with Time)

In some places, life revolves around the clock. In others, it revolves around people.

You may discover that schedules are more flexible than you’re used to. Meetings may start later. Conversations may last longer. Plans may shift.

That’s not dysfunction—it’s a different priority system.

Pro Tip: Show up with a flexible heart. Relationships often come first.

“Me” vs. “We”

Your home culture might celebrate independence:
“I’ve got this.”

The culture you’re stepping into might emphasize interdependence:
“We’ve got this.”

Teamwork may look different. Leadership may look different. Even decision-making may feel unfamiliar.

Pro Tip: Celebrate the team. Honor the group. You’re not there to be the hero—you’re there to serve.

Plans Change. God Doesn’t.

Let’s be honest: overseas schedules can feel more like suggestions.

You might have a full day planned—and then, suddenly, everything shifts.

Instead of frustration, what if you saw flexibility as formation?

Every pivot is an opportunity to trust.

Pro Tip: Pray through the changes. God is not surprised by the detour.

Control: Internal or External?

Some cultures believe, “I make things happen.”
Others live with, “Life happens—and we adapt.”

As you serve, resist the urge to fix everything you see.

You are not the savior. Jesus already is.

Pro Tip: Pause. Pray. Partner with the Holy Spirit before you act.

A Big Picture Reminder

The goal isn’t to bring your way of life.
The goal is to bring love, humility, and the hope of Jesus—in a way that honors the culture around you.

When you lead with humility, curiosity, and respect, you reflect Christ beautifully.

And remember:
The same God who meets you at home is already at work in the place you’re going.

New language.
New food.
New rhythms.

Same God.

If you’re preparing for an Urban Plunge or Global Team, take time now to posture your heart. The way you show up matters just as much as what you do.

Ready to step into a new culture with confidence and humility?

Explore upcoming trips at cfci.org/go 🌍

Shine Your Light: What Happens When You Say “Yes” to Serving

Sometimes all it takes is a simple “yes.”

With just two weeks of planning, a group of 10 students and leaders from Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa stepped out of their normal routines and into a weekend that would challenge perspectives, deepen faith, and open their eyes to how God is moving in their own region.

Their team experienced an Urban Plunge in Omaha, Nebraska through Christ For the City International. What they found wasn’t just a trip—it was a powerful reminder of what it means to truly shine your light.

Serving, Listening, Showing Up

At The Beautiful Gate, a local ministry led by a street evangelist, the team stepped into a deteriorated storefront in a low-income neighborhood—helping prepare it for worship. They served lunch, sorted clothing and food donations, and helped distribute them to those who came.

But more than that—they listened.

They heard stories. They prayed. They experienced what it looks like to meet both physical and spiritual needs in a simple, meaningful way.

Later, at Open Door Mission, they served dinner to men, women, and children staying in temporary shelters. They spent time getting to know residents and offering prayer.

Seeing Needs Up Close

Monday morning began early at Siena Francis House, where the team served individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. They met people of all ages and backgrounds—many carrying everything they owned.

It was a perspective-shifting experience.

From there, the group visited Sozo Coffeehouse in Omaha’s Old Market—a space created to meet the needs of Gen Z by offering a safe place to gather, connect, and grow. The team joined in a 15-block prayer walk through the city, covering Omaha in prayer.

Their final stop was The Hope Center for Kids, where they helped create spaces for children to learn and play—building a pickleball court and assembling shelves for a tech room.

Simple acts of service. Meaningful impact.

What They Learned

When the weekend came to a close, the team gathered to reflect—and what they shared says it all:

  • “We are all similar people—just trying to survive and hopefully thrive, needing love and care.”
  • “Don’t take what you have for granted.”
  • “Service doesn’t need to be complicated.”
  • “Meeting basic needs shows people God’s love.”
  • “Church can happen anywhere.”

One truth echoed throughout it all:

You don’t have to go far to make a difference. You just have to be willing.

Your Turn to Go

Opportunities like this aren’t just for one group.

They’re for anyone willing to step out, serve others, and experience God in a new way.

Whether it’s across the street or across the world—your “yes” matters.

👉 Ready to experience an Urban Plunge?
Explore upcoming trips at cfci.org/go

7 Ways to Prepare Your Heart and Mind for a Mission Trip (Across the Street or Across the World)

You said yes.

Yes to God’s invitation.
Yes to going.
Yes to serving.

Now what?

Before you pack your bag or board a plane, there’s a deeper kind of preparation that matters even more. Mission trips don’t just change places — they change people. And the most powerful transformation often starts long before you arrive.

Here are 7 ways to prepare your heart and mind for the journey ahead.

 

1. Start with Surrender

The trip doesn’t begin at the airport. It begins in the quiet place with God.

Lay down your expectations. Your fears. Your need to control outcomes.

Mission work isn’t about being the hero. It’s about joining what God is already doing.

Pray something simple and honest:

“Lord, prepare me to listen, to learn, and to love well.”

2. Name What You’re Feeling

Mission trips stir up everything — excitement, nerves, doubt, anticipation.

That’s normal.

Ask yourself:

  • What’s making me nervous?

  • What am I most excited about?

  • What expectations am I carrying?

Then bring it all to God. He’s not surprised by your fear — and He’s not limited by it either.

3. Ask God to Give You His Eyes

This journey isn’t just about what you’ll do. It’s about how you’ll see.

Ask God to help you see:

  • People as individuals, not projects.

  • Communities as strong and resilient, not broken.

  • Yourself with honesty and humility.

And be ready — He may show you something new about your own heart, too.

4. Be Willing to Be Uncomfortable

Growth rarely happens in comfort.

Different food. Different pace. Different communication styles. Different needs.

Instead of resisting discomfort, decide now to lean into it. Discomfort often becomes the doorway to empathy, compassion, and deeper dependence on God.

5. Learn Before You Go

Preparation is an act of honor.

Research:

  • The history of the place you’re going

  • Cultural norms and customs

  • Religious background

  • Economic realities

  • The history of the local church

Learn a few key phrases if there’s a different language. Understand gestures to avoid. Discover what people are proud of in their culture.

Showing up informed communicates respect.

6. Pack Light — Emotionally and Spiritually

Unresolved stress, bitterness, comparison, or burnout can weigh you down.

Before you leave:

  • Have the hard conversation.

  • Ask for forgiveness.

  • Extend forgiveness.

  • Rest.

Make space for what God wants to do by releasing what you don’t need to carry.

7. Expect God to Move — But Redefine “Success”

Yes, expect God to do great things.

But don’t measure the trip by:

  • How emotional it felt

  • How many visible results you saw

  • Whether everything went “smoothly”

A good mission trip isn’t one where everything is easy. It’s one where you were faithful, available, and obedient.

Sometimes the biggest transformation happens quietly — in you.

Ready to Go?

Whether you feel pumped, panicked, or somewhere in between — God has already gone ahead of you.

This isn’t just a trip. It’s an invitation into His story.

If you’re ready to step into that invitation through an Urban Plunge or a Global Team, explore opportunities at:

👉 cfci.org/go

Prepare your heart.
Pack your bag.
Say yes.

8 Kids. 4 Families. One Mission: Why This Group Is Saying “Yes” Together

It started with a simple desire: To be a family that serves God together.

Now, that “yes” is taking four families—7 adults and 8 kids ranging from just 9 months to 11 years old—all the way to Costa Rica.

This June, families from Valiente Dual Academy will step into something bigger than a trip. They’ll step into the global Church.

And they won’t be going empty-handed.

Learning a Language… and Living It

Valiente Dual Academy began just two years ago with a vision: create a space where children could learn Spanish through fun, connection, and culture.

Games. Crafts. Laughter. Friendship.

But beneath it all was something deeper—the belief that language opens doors.

“We wanted our kids to learn about other cultures and languages while having fun,” Savannah Vasquez, co-founder of the school, shared. “But also to connect.”

Now, those lessons are about to come alive.

“I think they’ll be surprised how much they already understand,” she said. “And inspired to keep learning so they can continue building relationships.”

Because in Costa Rica, Spanish won’t just be something they practice.

It will be how they love people.

A Bigger View of the World

For Savannah and her husband, this trip is deeply personal.

Both have served in missions and lived overseas. Those experiences shaped something foundational in them:

God’s Kingdom is global.

“When you experience other cultures at a young age,” Savannah said, “you’re less likely to believe false ideas about the world. You’ve seen it. You’ve built relationships.”

And that changes you.

It reminds you that even across languages and cultures, we’re not so different after all.

We’re all searching for purpose. For belonging.

What They’re Really Going to Learn

Yes, they’ll be leading children’s ministry.

Yes, they’ll be serving.

But that’s not the full story.

“What I’m most excited for,” Savannah shared, “is that they’ll realize missions is less about giving of yourself and more about making room for God to work in your heart.”

That shift—from doing to becoming—is where transformation happens.

She hopes each person walks away seeing people the way God does:

Not as different. Not as distant.
But as reflections of His image.

Seeing It Through a Child’s Eyes

And maybe the most powerful perspective comes from the kids themselves.

“I think it will be like helping other people and telling them about God.” – Emmanuel, 9

“Because most of the kids speak Spanish, so I can communicate with them.” – Emmanuel

“To fly on an airplane and playing games!” – Jonathan, 5

Honest. Joyful. Expectant.

Even their fears are real:

“Flying.” – Jonathan

But so is their willingness to go anyway.

It Started in the Classroom… and It Didn’t Stay There

After spending the year learning about Spanish-speaking countries, the group decided to bring Costa Rica to their community through a fundraiser event.

Coffee. Crafts. Community support.

A glimpse of what was ahead.

But the bigger picture?

This isn’t just about one trip.

It’s about a way of living.

Just Go

Savannah said it simply:

“If God is nudging you to do it—do it. He will make a way.”

That’s the invitation.

Not just for these families.

For all of us.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to go alone.

Grab a group. Bring your family.

Go across the street.
Go across the world.

Just go.

👉 Start your trip with Christ For The City International: www.cfci.org/go

Urban Plunge vs. Global Team — And Why We Need Both

When people hear the word missions, they usually picture one thing:

A passport.
An airplane.
Another language.

But what if missions is just as real in downtown Omaha as it is in rural Guatemala?

At Christ For the City International, we believe something simple and powerful:

God is at work everywhere.

And that’s why we offer both Urban Plunges and Global Teams — because each experience shapes you in a different way.

Urban Plunges: Seeing Your Own Backyard Differently

Our Urban Plunges happen in cities like:

  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Des Moines
  • Kansas City
  • Los Angeles
  • Omaha
  • Sioux Falls

You don’t need a passport. You need open eyes.

During an Urban Plunge, you serve alongside local leaders who know their communities best — people who live there, love there, and are invested long-term.

You might:

  • Serve at food banks
  • Build relationships with those experiencing homelessness
  • Encourage kids and families
  • Go on prayer walks
  • Share your faith in everyday conversations

Urban Plunges teach you something critical:

Missions isn’t far away.

It’s here.

You learn boldness. You learn compassion. You learn how to see your own city — and the people in it — through God’s eyes.

And when you go home, you don’t leave missions behind. You bring it with you.

Global Teams: Crossing Borders, Expanding Perspective

Then there’s the global experience.

Whether serving in:

  • Guatemala
  • El Salvador
  • Zimbabwe
  • Nicaragua

Global Teams immerse you in a different culture, language, and rhythm of life.

You partner with national missionaries and local churches — not to “fix,” but to come alongside what God is already doing.

You might:

  • Support children’s ministry
  • Participate in evangelism and discipleship
  • Help with community outreach
  • Serve in practical, hands-on projects
  • Encourage local pastors and leaders

International missions stretches you in a unique way.

You learn humility.
You learn flexibility.
You learn how small the world feels — and how big God is.

You discover that the Gospel transcends language and culture.

Different Experiences. Same Invitation.

Urban Plunges often grow boldness.
Global Teams often grow humility.

Both grow dependence on God.

Both help you:

  • Discover your spiritual gifts
  • Grow in compassion
  • Build deep friendships
  • Step into leadership
  • Live your faith in tangible ways

And both remind you:

You are sent.

Not someday.
Not somewhere else.
Now.

Why Both Matter

If you only serve locally, you may miss the beauty of the global Church.

If you only serve internationally, you may forget that your own city needs the Gospel too.

God’s heart is global.
And it’s local.

Sometimes an Urban Plunge awakens you.
Sometimes a Global Team expands you.
Often, God uses both.

Ready to Step Into It?

Whether you’re leading a youth group, gathering friends, or sensing God stir something in you personally, there’s a place for you.

Explore upcoming Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 www.cfci.org/go

Because the world is wide.
The cities are waiting.
And God is already at work.

Step Away from Screens: Why Urban Plunge and Global Teams Matter in a Digital World

📱 iPad. Xbox. Tik Tok. Screens everywhere. Notifications buzzing. Feeds scrolling endlessly.

It’s easy for teens’ lives—and even their faith—to get trapped in the digital world. But some experiences can’t be swiped, double-tapped, or streamed. They need to be lived.

That’s where Urban Plunge and Global Teams step in.

For a few days, a week, or longer, students trade the screen glow for sunlight, notifications for conversations, and feeds for real-life faith in action. They worship together, serve shoulder-to-shoulder, and discover what it really means to live out their faith—beyond apps, filters, and likes.

🌆 Urban Plunge: Adventure Right in Your Backyard

Urban Plunge takes students into the heart of American cities—Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Omaha, and Sioux Falls—where they serve alongside local leaders in ways that actually matter.

Think:

  • Food banks, homeless outreach, and mentoring kids
  • Prayer walks and street ministry
  • Community projects—painting, cleaning, or park restoration

It’s about learning boldness, creativity, and compassion… all while discovering how to be the hands and feet of Jesus right where they live.

✈️ Global Teams: Adventure with Friends Around the World

For students ready to go further, Global Teams offer an international mission alongside friends. They serve communities in Guatemala, El Salvador, Zimbabwe, and Nicaragua—partnering with local ministries who know their people best.

From evangelism to children’s ministry, construction to community projects, every moment teaches humility, teamwork, and faith in action. And the best part? Serving together bonds friends in ways nothing else can.

Why Getting Offline Changes Everything

These trips aren’t just about travel—they’re about presence.

No swiping. No scrolling. Just real people. Real stories. Real faith.

Teens discover that life is bigger than their feed. That God moves in real, messy, beautiful ways when you show up. And that serving others—whether across the street or across the globe—changes the way they see the world… and themselves.

If you want your teen to step away from screens, step into service, and step into God’s story, Urban Plunge or Global Teams might be the perfect next adventure.

👉 Learn more and sign up today: cfci.org/go

Oh, the Places They’ll Go: A Graduation Gift That Shapes Who They Become

Caps fly.
Cameras flash.
Party invites stack up on the counter.

And somewhere between “We’re so proud of you” and “What’s your major again?” there’s a quieter question every senior is asking:

Who am I becoming?

Graduation gifts usually look like money in a card. A new laptop. Dorm décor. Maybe luggage for what’s next.

All good things.

But what if this year, you gave something that doesn’t wear out, power down, or get replaced in four years?

What if you gave an experience that strengthens their faith, builds their confidence, and gives them space to hear God clearly before the next big step?

At Christ For the City International, we see it every year.

When young adults step into mission — something shifts.

A Global Team: The “Trip” That Actually Changes Them

After graduation, many students plan one last big adventure with friends.

A Europe trip.
A beach week.
A “bro trip.”
A girls’ getaway.

And there’s nothing wrong with celebrating.

But what if their post-grad trip wasn’t just fun — it was formative?

A Global Team is designed to be done together.

Your graduate can go with friends, with their youth group, or build a small team of people they already trust and love.

Instead of sightseeing alone, they could spend a week or two serving alongside national missionaries in places like:

  • Guatemala
  • El Salvador
  • Zimbabwe
  • Nicaragua

They’ll participate in children’s ministry, evangelism, prayer walks, outreach, and hands-on community projects — partnering with local leaders who know their communities best.

And here’s what parents often notice afterward:

Serving together bonds friends in a different way.

When they pray together.
When they navigate another culture together.
When they step out in courage together.

The conversations go deeper. The faith becomes more personal. The friendships become stronger.

Ten years from now, they won’t just remember the laughs.

They’ll remember how God met them there.

A Global Ambassador: A Gap Year That Grounds Them

For some graduates, the invitation goes even deeper.

Not just a short-term team experience — but an intentional season set apart.

A Global Ambassador experience is more immersive. More personal. More formative.

Instead of rushing straight into college or career, what if your graduate had space to:

  • Live cross-culturally
  • Serve consistently alongside a CFCI base
  • Be discipled and mentored
  • Develop leadership and responsibility
  • Slow down enough to hear God clearly

They may go on their own.
Or with one close friend.

But this isn’t about group momentum.

It’s about identity.

In a culture that pressures students to “figure it out fast,” a gap year centered on Christ says:

Root yourself first.

We’ve seen students return from a Global Ambassador season more grounded, more mature, and more confident in who God created them to be.

Not because it was easy.
But because it was intentional.

Oh, the Places They’ll Go

Yes — new countries.
New cultures.
New friendships.

But more importantly:

Deeper faith.
Stronger character.
Clearer direction.

This isn’t just about geography.

It’s about formation before foundation.

Before lecture halls.
Before job interviews.
Before the pace of adulthood accelerates.

A Gift That Outlasts Graduation Season

Long after the cake is gone.
Long after the thank-you notes are written.
Long after the gift cards are spent.

An experience like this continues shaping who they become.

If you’re wondering what to give the graduate in your life this spring, consider something bold.

Give them the opportunity to go.
To serve.
To grow.
To listen.
To be stretched.
To be sent.

Explore Global Teams and Global Ambassador opportunities at:

👉 www.cfci.org/go

Because sometimes the best graduation gift isn’t something they unwrap.

It’s somewhere they go.

The 8-Year-Old Who Told Her Doctor She’d Be a Missionary

Most eight-year-olds dream about becoming astronauts, athletes, or veterinarians.

Ellie Hyvonen apparently had a different plan.

“At 8 years old, I told my doctor that I wanted to be a missionary when I grew up,” Ellie said with a laugh.

While that might sound unusual for a child, the calling on her life didn’t fade with time—it only grew stronger.

“My journey in missions started at a young age when the Lord tugged at my heartstrings for Haiti,” she said.

By the time Ellie was 11, that tug became impossible to ignore. When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, she knew she wanted to help in some way.

So she did what any determined middle schooler with a big heart might do—she started a fundraiser.

Ellie began selling handmade jewelry and artwork at church and even vegetables from her family’s farm at the end of the road. Every dollar she raised went toward buying chickens for orphans living on the island of La Gonâve.

“When I saw the pictures of those little kids receiving meat and smiling so big, there was no stopping me,” she said.

Soon after, Ellie traveled to Haiti with her mom and church teams. Those trips became the beginning of something much bigger than she could have imagined.

Throughout high school, Ellie continued looking for opportunities to experience new cultures and serve communities in need. Spring breaks often turned into mission trips, taking her to places like Japan, Hungary, Philadelphia, and West Virginia.

“In each of these trips, I clearly saw how God was developing different spiritual gifts in my life through teaching, hospitality, administration, leadership, and compassion,” she said.

Then in college, Ellie committed to a six-month internship in Costa Rica—a decision that would eventually connect her with Christ For The City International.

During that time, she studied Spanish, lived with a host family, and served in a rehabilitation home for adolescent girls coming out of trafficking, drugs, and prostitution.

“I never knew at the time that my time grueling over learning the language and pouring into these girls would eventually lead to me leading the very same work with teams from the States,” Ellie said.

Today, Ellie helps lead mission teams with CFCI in Costa Rica and Guatemala, guiding others as they step into cross-cultural ministry.

“Every trip I have been on with CFCI has been so incredibly organized and well thought out,” she said. “It makes leading trips easy.”

Leading teams from different backgrounds and personalities has taught Ellie a lot about patience—and flexibility.

“It has taught me to appreciate how different each person is made,” she explained. “Every team is made up of such unique individuals, which means I have to manage a lot of personalities and intelligences.”

Thankfully, the Costa Rica base has a helpful motto for moments when things don’t go exactly as planned.

“I love the SFINC acronym they use: Smile, be Flexible, Improvise, and No Complaining,”She laughed. “That about sums it up perfectly.”

After all, life on the mission field rarely follows a perfectly planned schedule.

“Our timing is often not the Lord’s timing nor our plans His,” Ellie said. “However, I have learned that they can be His if we submit them to Him in humility.”

For Ellie, some of the most meaningful moments on the mission field happen in the quiet, unexpected spaces.

On a recent trip to Costa Rica, she spent time with a young mother at the Kairos Rehabilitation Home who had endured years of severe abuse and hardship.

After listening to her story, Ellie suggested they paint flowers together.

As they painted, Ellie shared a simple truth.

“I explained how if God cares for these flowers and thinks they are so beautiful, how much more does He see her as precious and beautiful,” she said.

The young woman asked Ellie to sign the painting before they finished.

“Sometimes it is the simple things that lead to the greatest transformation or perspective change in our hearts,” Ellie reflected.

Next, Ellie will lead a team from Jesse Remington High School to El Salvador from April 6–13.

She’s excited to experience a new CFCI base and explore a new culture.

“I am so excited to see a totally new base and do some island ministry,” she says. “It’s also such a small world—I know CFCI’s Communication Specialist from Costa Rica, but he grew up right there in El Salvador, so I’ll get to meet many of his missionary friends.”

For Ellie, each trip is another opportunity to see how God is working in communities around the world.

Through years of mission work, Ellie has learned that leadership is often far simpler—and more humble—than people expect.

“Leadership is just influence,” she said. “It’s doing the small tasks alongside everyone else.”

Her philosophy is straightforward.

“If a leader can scrub a toilet, the followers will probably have the confidence to do it even better,” she said.

Ellie credits mentors who modeled lives of prayer and gratitude for shaping her leadership.

“No matter how bad the situation seems, going to prayer and gratitude is always the answer,” she said.

Ultimately, Ellie believes God is the one building every team.

“He only asks that I bring those people and their skills to Him and be grateful for how He moves,” she said.

A Step of Faith

For those wondering if they should step into missions—or any calling God might be placing on their hearts—Ellie had a simple starting point.

“It can’t hurt to ask the Lord, ‘Is this for me?’” she said.

But following God rarely comes with complete certainty.

“It just takes a blind step of faith—and I mean blind.”

She pointed to Peter stepping out of the boat to walk toward Jesus.

“He didn’t know all the answers, but he trusted Jesus enough to take action when he could not.”

And even when Peter began to sink, Jesus was there.

“Missions will have moments when we sink,” Ellie said. “But Jesus is there. He isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for a heart that keeps reaching out for His hand.”

She left with one final question for anyone considering their own step of faith “Are you reaching out?”

Ready to reach out?

Learn more about upcoming Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 cfci.org/go

Fasting Before You Go: Making Space for God Before Your Mission Trip

It’s Lent.

A season of slowing down.
Of surrender.
Of making room.

And if you’re preparing for a mission trip — whether across the street or across the world — there may not be a better time to lean in.

Before you pack your bag, raise support, or finalize logistics… consider fasting.

Not to prove something.
Not to be intense.
Not to check a spiritual box.

But to make space.

Why Fast Before a Mission Trip?

Mission trips aren’t powered by strategy alone. They’re sustained by dependence.

Fasting is one of the clearest ways we say:

“God, I need You more than I need comfort.”

Throughout Scripture, fasting was connected to:

  • Clarity

  • Repentance

  • Breakthrough

  • Preparation

  • Spiritual authority

Even Jesus fasted before stepping fully into public ministry (see Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11).

If fasting mattered before He stepped into His calling, it might matter before we step into ours too.

What Is Fasting — Really?

Fasting isn’t about spiritual performance.

It’s about removing something normal in your life to become more aware of your need for God.

It’s creating intentional hunger — physical or otherwise — so your heart becomes more attentive.

And during Lent especially, fasting reminds us:

We are not self-sufficient.
We are sustained by Him.

How to Fast (Without Making It Weird)

You don’t have to go extreme to go deep.

Here’s a simple framework:

1. Ask God What to Fast

One meal?
A full day?
Social media?
Caffeine?
Sugar?
Streaming?

Start with prayer. This is about obedience, not comparison.

2. Set Your Focus

Don’t just remove something — replace it with intention.

Ask:

  • Am I praying for boldness?

  • Unity on our team?

  • Protection?

  • Open hearts?

  • Personal surrender?

Write it down. Be specific.

3. Replace the Time

If you skip a meal, use that time to pray.
If you give up social media, use that scroll-time for Scripture.

Reflect on passages like:

  • Psalm 69:10,13

  • Joel 2:12

  • Gospel of Matthew 6:16–18

Fasting without prayer is just dieting.
Fasting with prayer is dependence.

4. Expect Discomfort

You might get a headache.
You might feel irritable.
You might really miss your coffee.

That discomfort is not failure — it’s awareness.

Every time you feel it, let it become a whisper:

“God, I need You.”

And don’t be surprised if distractions increase. Spiritual focus often invites resistance. Stay grounded. Stay steady.

5. Ease Back In

If you fast from food, reintroduce it slowly. Your body will thank you.

Fasting is spiritual — but it’s also physical wisdom.

Before You Begin

Pause for a moment.

  • What might God be inviting you to surrender?

  • What time can you intentionally set apart for Him?

  • What are you hoping to hear?

  • What are you afraid He might say?

Lent is not about deprivation.
It’s about preparation.

And a mission trip is not just something you do.
It’s something God does in you.

Living Sent Starts in the Secret Place

Before public ministry comes private surrender.

Before outreach comes intimacy.

If you’re preparing for an Urban Plunge or a Global Team, don’t just prepare your suitcase.

Prepare your spirit.

Make space.
Lean in.
Let Him shape you before He sends you.

Ready to step into what God is inviting you into?

Learn more about upcoming Urban Plunges and Global Teams at:

👉 cfci.org/go

He could have take a vacation. He went to Zimbabwe instead.

When Andrew Dickerson—a university professor with a rare break between semesters—looked at his calendar, he had options. He could rest. He could travel. He could take a well-earned vacation.

Instead, he chose Zimbabwe.

After a personally difficult yet deeply formative year, Andrew wanted to mark the season with something meaningful. A mission trip offered more than a change of scenery—it offered a reset for the soul and a chance to keep growing while serving God’s Kingdom.

Once on the ground, there was no such thing as a “normal” day.

Some days were spent at the Emthunzini Wethemba Children’s Home—repairing broken windows, hanging swings, grilling food, and laughing with the boys who live there. Other days included hospital visits, home visits, and playing with children at an orphanage for kids five and under. Thanks to the leadership of Pastor Mangwende, Andrew experienced a wide range of ministry moments that showed him just how much God can do through simple obedience.

One moment that stuck with him? Watching the boys play endlessly on the swings he helped hang.

“It goes to show how the simple things that enable play can bring so much joy,” Andrew shared.

Another unforgettable moment came during a hospital visit, where the team met a woman named Caroline who had been without vital medication for months due to lack of funding. The solution wasn’t complicated—they went to the pharmacy, bought the medicine, prayed with her, shared the gospel, and reminded her she was deeply loved by people she had never met.

Throughout the trip, Andrew’s practical skills came in handy—but God was also doing quieter work. Each day required patience, openness, and trust.

“Trips like these aren’t fun in the same way vacations are,” Andrew reflected, “but they are equally memorable—and more beneficial.”

As he heads home, Andrew is carrying two things with him: generosity and gratitude. And when asked how he’d encourage others to serve, his answer was simple and honest: “Get outside your comfort zone—even for just a moment. The first step is the hardest.”

Maybe that first step is yours.

Whether you gather a group of friends, students, coworkers, or go solo as a Global Ambassador, mission trips create space for God to move—in the world and in you.

Read to take the first step?

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