READ: PSALM 96:2-3; MATTHEW 28:19-20; ROMANS 10:9-15

When I was a young teen, I really wanted to go on a mission trip. And I mean really wanted—I read missionary biographies, researched unreached people groups (communities who have never even heard of Jesus) and was sure that when I grew up, I too would serve God in some far-off place. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work out that way. In my first few years of high school, I tried to go on four different mission trips—but each time, for one reason or another, when the plane left, I wasn’t on it.

One day, though, I learned something that completely changed my perspective. Did you know the nation that receives the most missionaries each year is the United States of America? Yes, you read that right: the country I call home also happens to be where other countries send the most missionaries. Because it isn’t just people on the other side of the world who need Jesus—so do the people I see at the mall and sit with in class, and the same is true for you. No matter where you live, there are likely people around you who haven’t heard the gospel—who don’t know that God loves them, and that He sent Jesus to set them free through His death and resurrection.

So, while I would still love to spread the gospel in distant lands, it transformed my entire mindset when I realized that I don’t have to get a passport to be a missionary—and I shouldn’t wait until I grow up either. When I go to school or the grocery store or the doctor’s office or sports practice, if I go wanting to share God’s love and truth with the people I’ll encounter, that’s a mission trip! Jesus commanded His followers to take the gospel into all the world, and that includes my neighborhood—and yours too! • Faith Lewis

• The word gospel literally means good news. Once we’ve received this gift ourselves, Jesus has given us the responsibility and privilege of sharing the news with others. Yet, even after we’ve experienced the love of Jesus in our lives, sharing it can still feel intimidating. We may wonder how best to do it and worry about how people will respond. Remember though, God has promised to be with us and give us courage and wisdom. In the end, He’s the only one who can change a person’s heart, which means there’s no pressure. As we show His love and share the truth, we can trust Him with the outcome (1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Ephesians 4:15 ). Can you think of any opportunities you might have to be a missionary right where you are? Consider taking a moment to ask God for boldness and the words to say when the time comes (Acts 4:23-31; Ephesians 6:19-20).

He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)