Poland Update: Before

I am going to Poland! It is odd to think that I have never been on a mission’s trip before, especially since I am entering into full time missions. I believe this will be an awesome opportunity not only for cross-cultural ministry experience, but to advance God’s gospel as well.

I will be partnering with Sun Valley Community Church and a program they run known as Institute For Missions (IFM). The team, composed of four members including myself, will be working with JosiahVenture in Poland. While the details of the trip are purposefully vague (so as to simulate the actual encounter of most missionaries) I do know I will be heavily involved with an English camp. What I most love about the trip itself is that the basis is to support a full time missionary, and secondly the camp which I will be working with is extremely evangelical. I believe the opportunity uniquely presents itself to spread the gospel to those who would not usually attend a church service.

The trip will run from late May 23rd to the end of July. Yet the emphasis of the trip is actually not on the trip itself, but on the growth of the individuals, or preparation, beforehand. For the next two months I will be researching Polish culture, engaging with God’s gospel, and preparing myself for cross-cultural servanthood.

While I will need partnering with the 4,500 trip fee, above all I need prayer that God would guide me in wisdom as I prepare for cross cultural ministry. And whether or not you partner with me, may we all partner in spreading God’s gospel to all people.

If you have questions about partnering or would like to receive my newsletter email me at 'matt.zowada@gmail.com'

For more information on Josiah Venture:
http://www.josiahventure.com/

For more information on IFM (Institute For Missions):
http://sunvalleycc.com/outreach/global/ifm.html

Oh Glorious Failure

Without a doubt, looking back on my walk with the Lord the moments preceding growth almost always center around my absolute failures. It is a travesty that in the past I hid my screw-ups instead of learning from them, ignoring one of God’s most effective means to mature. So many times upon the realization of my own inadequacy I want to sweep my breakdowns under the rug and present myself whole and complete to others. In pride I keep appearances in tact and futilely attempt to hold together the crumbling pieces around me. My arrogance responds with increased attempts and struggles instead of bringing me to the realization which God intends: dude, I NEED GOD! God allowing failure in our lives is often a slap in our faces, reminding us of our infinite neediness. And yet ultimately there is no glory in failure except that which finds God’s faithfulness, except that which is consistent to God’s infinite patience. As God faithfully and continuously endures with my own fumbling I find my tottering footsteps of faith. Failure continuously teaches me to abide in Christ, to seek life through God and live in dependence that He may work through me.

“If we are going to keep on growing, we must keep on risking failure throughout our lives… I am vividly reminded of Goethe’s saying that men will always be making mistakes as long as they are striving after something.” - Brennan Manning

The only failure I will truly fear, and perhaps the most devastating failure of all, would be my own complacency or apathy. May I no longer cower at my inadequacy, instead may I make it known, accept it, because this is what teaches me that I need Jesus. Man, I need Jesus. Peter’s denial of Christ was God’s springboard to teach. It was not before but after failure that Jesus sought Peter’s love (Jn. 21: 15-19).