Mickey's Mission Moments

As U Go

“Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 HCSB)

The last words of a dying love one are always important to us. These words, recorded by Matthew, were the last words of our Lord. They have been etched in the hearts and minds of His followers from New Testament time until today. Recent days have seen a renewed emphasis on the Great Commission. We all need to examine our Lord’s commission and determine how we, as individuals, are fulfilling His imperative to us.

The motto of Campers on Mission (COM) is “As U Go.” COMers seek opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they are involved in camping and mission opportunities. What a great combination – camping and missions!

I have always enjoyed camping. In fact Jeanne and I spent our honeymoon camping in the mountains of North Georgia. Yes, in a tent! I was a poor country preacher/college student. We went camping every opportunity we had until our children (five in all) came along. Even after the children arrived we often lead youth camping retreats. Nothing builds a team like spending days in the woods with 35-40 of your closest friends.

This past summer, we in the Adult Volunteer Mobilization Team at the North American Mission Board, once again saw God at work through Campers on Mission volunteers. Of course they are like so many other volunteers. They work hard and watch for opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of love and ministry. The difference is, they take their housing with them and often stay an extended period of time.

At the close of the 2009 National COM Rally, conducted in Gillette, Wyoming, more than 220 volunteers fanned out across North America. A number of them worked at projects in Wyoming after they learned about need there during the National Rally. The Wyoming Baptist Convention leadership shared stories of the great ministry opportunities and needs in Wyoming at the rally.

After the summer ended I have talked with leaders from the Wyoming and Canadian National Baptist Conventions, as well as project leaders about the involvement COM volunteers in their projects. Many gave wonderful testimonies about how God used the volunteers in many different ways. What a joy to hear how God is at work.

Of course the mission work of COM is not limited to the summer. In fact, many of the projects the work on are during the winter. When the snow flies up north they head south and invest large amounts of time and energy on mission projects.

It has been my privilege to watch, up close and personal, COM volunteers serve in Operation New Orleans Area Home (NOAH) Rebuild. Scores of COMers traveled to New Orleans and gave months of their time working in construction, warehousing, volunteer housing, and office work. Whatever they were doing they found opportunities to share the Gospel as they worked to rebuild the homes and churches destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Some stayed as long as two years. They have helped establish a new identity for Southern Baptists on the Gulf coast.

During 2008 COM State Chapters reported that more than 357,000 hours were invested by 1,700 COM volunteers serving on 1,600 projects and they were involved in 803 individuals making professions of faith. As they go they share the Gospel. In doing so, COMers are living out their obedience to the last words of Jesus Christ.

What a joy to be involved with volunteers who make disciples as they go. May their numbers increase! Many more volunteers are needed to join in the “God’s Plan for Sharing” (GPS) evangelism initiative. The goal of GPS is to fulfill the Great Commission in North America by every believer sharing and every person hearing by 2020.

The GPS journey is guided by a process with four biblical markers:
      Praying – every church praying for lost people
      Engaging – every believer sharing as a trained witness
      Sowing – every lost person receiving a witness
      Harvesting – every church harvesting and celebrating every salvation result

I am praying for more volunteers to become involved in God’s Plan for Sharing – As U Go!

Mickey Caison
Team Leader
Adult Volunteer Mobilization