STM Devotion and Information 9/26/2025

 1 Peter 3:15

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

Essential Items for the Dominican Republic Mission:

• Bible and journal
• Prayer partner
• Valid passport
• Malaria prophylaxis
• Partially empty suitcase for team supplies
• Raise support

Most Important Item:

• Know why you are going, your testimony

All the above are necessary, but this point is crucial. If we are not focused on the reason we are packing up and traveling several thousand miles to serve in outreach clinics and building or repair projects, then we might as well not go. 

The "Win" for our team is "to share the gospel with one person." How can we do this if we do not understand the hope - Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection - and are willing to share it? Don't speak Spanish? No problem, we will always have translators (ministry assistants) with us. And yes, they know both languages, but they do not know your story- how you came to faith in Christ. That is the unique gift you are bringing on this mission. You don't need a seminary education to share your testimony. 

Your testimony is simply:

This is where I was/who I was before

I accepted the free gift of salvation

This is who I am now

Upcoming Dates:

• Mission Retreat: September 27, 8 am breakfast until bonfire in the evening (please come for as long as you can when you can to meet our team, learn a bit more about short-term missions, Solid Rock (the organization we partner with in the Dominican Republic), and ALWM (the organization with whom we may partner in the spring). This is at the Woodchuck Ranch, N5768 18th Lane, Princeton WI
• Mission Team Meetings/Potlucks at Grace Bible Church, 12:30: October 26, November 16, and December 14. We will review essential information and begin packing in either November or December.
• Team Commissioning: January 11, 2026, during the 10 am Worship service at Grace Bible Church, we will have a potluck meal afterwards, help everyone fill out their necessary online forms, and finish packing and weighing our bags. 
• Depart Portage: January 16, 2026
• Return: January 24, 2026
• Mission trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, June 8 to 23, more information to come. 

~Roxanne

"We love because God first loved us"

1 John 4:19