Update from Daytona

Here is an update from Jesse Jarvis, leader of our Daytona trip. Thank you all who participated, and congratulations on a job well done!

This year’s Mission trip to Daytona was a “first” in many ways. It was the first Missions trip our church ever hosted, it was the first mission trip for nearly the whole team of 12 including me and it was the first trip I ever led. So aside from the help and input of others we were shooting in the dark!

We planned a breakfast outreach, a car wash/ open house at the church, a number of service outreaches, a bake sale at the nearby Flea Market, several opportunities for street evangelism and an afternoon concert at a venue that could accommodate 2000 people. At each of these events we planned to distribute flyers and invitations to the later events of the week as well us upcoming events at the church.

Well it turns out coffee is not a big hit when its 94 degrees at 8am, of the 300+ cars that passed by our car wash only 11 stopped, two of the service outreach homes were vacant and at one we were preceded by the police (don’t worry it had nothing to do with us). Our bake sales rendered 60 lbs of hot leftovers, and the open air/ beach front venue for our big weekend concert had a concrete floor which melted flip flops and made it nearly impossible for the barefoot beachgoers to linger long enough for a crowd to form.

However, for Sovereign Grace Church of Daytona Beach, Mission X was an enormous success on three levels.

First we really were able to reach the lost; not in the massive way we imagined but still there were divine appointments. We encountered many people throughout the week and frequently were able to share the gospel with them and invite them to church. One local man, who had a dream the night before about the coming wrath of God, prayed to receive Christ! Another young girl is now coming to the church and pursuing membership.

Secondly, the students (and pastors) involved with Mission X were affected as we saw and experienced the power of God through the Holy Spirit enabling us to boldly share the message that has changed our lives forever. At the beginning of the week, timid and nervous, we all set out and prayed that God would give us boldness and He did. By Saturday afternoon all of us were experiencing fearlessness and joy as we shared with whoever would stand on hot concrete and listen! Also, we were giving away ice cold watermelon which helped in that regard significantly.

Thirdly and most encouraging to me personally, is the deep impact that the week had on the church here. The sacrifice and hard work of the incoming students provided opportunity and invigorated the majority of the church to be involved in the events throughout the week. Without exaggeration the students were always outnumbered by church members at nearly every event of the week. AND the impact has not faded. For a church praying and longing to grow in evangelism this week was a huge boost forward and we together thank God for the students who served us in that way!