Easter is a time to reflect on Christ’s sacrificial journey—from the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday to the sacrificial death on Good Friday to the glorious victory on Resurrection Sunday. Let’s journey together through Holy Week and explore how our OMS missionaries' Easter celebrations have reflected these sacred events.
Maundy Thursday
“And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’ … And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood’ (Luke 22:15, 19-20 ESV).
In Hungary, OMS missionaries Daniel and Amanda Buck observed how Easter is a major family holiday. After Easter service, the Bucks often shared a meal with loved ones from the OMS team and the church. Many also take Easter Monday off work to enjoy even more time together. This emphasis on togetherness mirrors the spirit of Maundy Thursday, when Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples. In that moment, we see Jesus gathering with those closest to him—intentionally sharing a meal, spending time with them, and preparing them for the days ahead.
Good Friday
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV).
Easter is marked by parades and celebrations in Ecuador, with strong Catholic traditions. During the season's hustle and bustle, former OMS Ecuador missionary Roger Skinner recalls a particular Easter when his church read Scripture outside to those passing by. This simple act of evangelism, against the backdrop of activity, reflects the heart of Good Friday—when Christ gave his life for the world. Jesus suffered and bore the weight of our sins—willingly and lovingly—as the world carried on around him. Similarly, as the congregation reads Scripture amid the busy street, the message of the cross cuts through the noise of daily life.
Easter Sunday
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 ESV).
Then came Easter Sunday, the day of new life. In Taiwan, OMS missionaries Mark and Michelle Dinnage have noticed that many Christian churches celebrate this day with baptisms. This tradition likely began with the first missionaries more than a century ago. These baptisms symbolize the joy of resurrection Sunday, as these new believers rise from the water to declare their new life in Christ, just as Christ was raised from the dead. The symbolism is powerful, especially on Easter Sunday—the old is gone, and the new has come.
As we’ve walked through Holy Week and seen how OMS missionaries have embodied the story of Jesus in their communities, we are reminded that this story is not bound to one place or time. Christ's love, sacrifice, and victory continue to echo around the world. Praise the Lord.
By Olivia Hogsett, Communications Associate, April 2025
