Have you ever thought about getting involved in mission work? The JESUS Film Project defines mission work as the act of Christian individuals or groups engaging in outreach to share the Gospel while serving communities in need, often in unfamiliar or challenging environments, with the goal of promoting spiritual growth, offering humanitarian aid, and fostering social change.
For Jorge Benavides, the One Mission Society (OMS) camp director at Camp Peña de Horeb in Spain, mission work begins with something fundamental.
“Being a missionary is, above all, a declaration of obedience,” Jorge says. It is a willingness to say, “Lord, I believe in you, and I am willing to obey you and go wherever you send me.” While that call may seem daunting, the journey is never walked alone.
Through his involvement at the camp, Jorge has observed several consistent truths about mission work. First, when God sends someone, he equips them. He provides the gifts needed to carry out the work he has prepared. Second, God provides vision and purpose. When missionaries are grounded in that calling, they find the strength and endurance to persevere, even when the work is difficult. Third, the Lord blesses you along the way. When you are committed to him, you will see how the mountains are cast into the sea and the paths are made straight. Finally, when you are fulfilling the Lord’s will, you will bless others.
“[Through mission work], you will be an instrument for God’s love, blessing, grace, and mercy to reach people,” Jorge says. “In the long run, that’s what we want. We want to spread the Gospel. That is our work in missions.”
As camp director, Jorge says there is much to be grateful for. He reflects on how God miraculously brought him and his wife to Camp Peña de Horeb, equipped them for their roles, and continued to care for them throughout. God has also surrounded the camp with people who genuinely love the ministry and want to see it flourish.
“Feeling that care from the Lord has been wonderful,” Jorge says. “Working with volunteers and meeting people of faith from different churches and denominations allows us to see, truly, the omnipresence, power, and glory of God in this place. For that, we are always grateful to the Lord.”
Jorge’s experience is just one example of what mission involvement can look like. Whether through going, sending, praying, or supporting, each step is a way to take part in God’s mission. Mission work may look different for each person, but the core remains the same: sharing the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
