November is GO-vember at Valley View
I remember one of my favorite family vacations growing up. We went to the beach in Florida. My brothers were still pretty young, so one morning just Dad and I rose early to fish in the surf. It was so much fun, getting that time together, dragging in the catfish, trying to keep from getting stabbed by their fins, laughing and watching the morning begin. Great vacations can be a highlight of life. Yet sometimes not everything turns out the way we thought. Like the time we went to a remote South Pacific Island to take a break from our mission work in Fiji, and it seemed like I could focus on nothing other than what was wrong (I know, it’s embarrassing to admit).
But here’s what’s fascinating about vacations: I’ve read studies that say people get as much, and sometimes even more joy, out of planning for the vacation than the actual vacation itself. Seems crazy, yet I can see how anticipation and preparation builds excitement and joy for the actual event. We get excited about going before we get going.
This month we’re going to be celebrating “going” as a church. We’re calling it GO-Vember. Matthew 28:19-20 (our memory verse for the month) is often referred to as the “Great Commission.” The verse reads, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” The call is to be GOING. To be on mission. To be focused on telling the world about the good news of Jesus Christ. For some that means actually going to the mission field. For some that means sending by giving to missions and missionaries. For all of us that means to be praying and encouraging others in missions.
In Go-Vember we will highlight some of the missions efforts Valley View already supports. This week the focus is on the part our church plays in sending thousands of missionaries overseas through the International Mission Board. Check out this video to see how God uses your generosity to take the gospel around the world. And also keep praying for Valley View, that we would be eager to give to, and serve in, efforts to take the gospel to our community, and to the world!