The serving opportunity on this short-term trip to Glasgow was to encourage the pastors and workers of 20schemes by helping with tasks that often have to be set aside so they can focus on ministry. Hopefully, we were able to offer encouragement through those things, but selfishly, I received so much from our time working alongside and sharing meals with the 20schemes pastors, staff, and their families. They are truly an “on mission” group of people who are seeking the Lord to turn the hearts of the people in their communities to Him.
The church that housed us was Baillieston Community Church – Hope Hall, and I loved the signs hanging in their sanctuary that reminded everyone they are All About Jesus—that their hope is in Jesus, that they desire to know Him better, and to make Him known.
Something that was both convicting in my own life and beautiful to see lived out was how deeply they relied on God, but also on one another. They are an example of this verse in real time: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Seeing the intentionality behind the choices they make in every area of life—where they live, shop, send their children to school, spend their time, and plant their churches—will stay with me for a long time. It made me take a closer look at how I engage (or don't engage) with the people whose paths cross mine each day. I know God had a plan for my time there, and He wanted to do work IN me, as much as through me. I didn’t leave Glasgow the same as I was when I arrived.
One of the things He reminded me of throughout the week was that He always goes before us. I know this because He tells us so in Scripture, but I also know it because I experienced it many times during our trip to Glasgow as we served alongside our 20schemes family.
I experienced it first as our team was being formed. Through meetings, meals, an overnight retreat, and many, many texts (lol), God put together just the right group of people.
I experienced it again in the people we met in Glasgow and the conversations we were able to have. God placed opportunities in front of each of us to connect and share, encourage and be encouraged.
Finally, I experienced it as each of us was stretched outside our comfort zones while also being given opportunities to use our unique gifts to serve. We painted, cleaned, mowed, hauled trash, pressure washed, hung curtains, fixed doors, provided vehicle maintenance, and moved a whole lot of gravel. 😊
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside 20schemes and to have witnessed the work God is doing through them in Glasgow.
If you'd like to learn more about 20schemes, who they are, and what they do, how you can best pray for them , and support them, visit their website. https://20schemes.com/
The church that housed us was Baillieston Community Church – Hope Hall, and I loved the signs hanging in their sanctuary that reminded everyone they are All About Jesus—that their hope is in Jesus, that they desire to know Him better, and to make Him known.
Something that was both convicting in my own life and beautiful to see lived out was how deeply they relied on God, but also on one another. They are an example of this verse in real time: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Seeing the intentionality behind the choices they make in every area of life—where they live, shop, send their children to school, spend their time, and plant their churches—will stay with me for a long time. It made me take a closer look at how I engage (or don't engage) with the people whose paths cross mine each day. I know God had a plan for my time there, and He wanted to do work IN me, as much as through me. I didn’t leave Glasgow the same as I was when I arrived.
One of the things He reminded me of throughout the week was that He always goes before us. I know this because He tells us so in Scripture, but I also know it because I experienced it many times during our trip to Glasgow as we served alongside our 20schemes family.
I experienced it first as our team was being formed. Through meetings, meals, an overnight retreat, and many, many texts (lol), God put together just the right group of people.
I experienced it again in the people we met in Glasgow and the conversations we were able to have. God placed opportunities in front of each of us to connect and share, encourage and be encouraged.
Finally, I experienced it as each of us was stretched outside our comfort zones while also being given opportunities to use our unique gifts to serve. We painted, cleaned, mowed, hauled trash, pressure washed, hung curtains, fixed doors, provided vehicle maintenance, and moved a whole lot of gravel. 😊
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside 20schemes and to have witnessed the work God is doing through them in Glasgow.
If you'd like to learn more about 20schemes, who they are, and what they do, how you can best pray for them , and support them, visit their website. https://20schemes.com/
