Testimony:

One of the greatest things we have as Christians is HOPE.

FBC’s mission trip to Mexico was a 1^st time experience for my wife and I. Our hearts and eyes were opened to God’s great commission. As an American and a grace-filled Christian, it's sometimes difficult to comprehend the idea of living without hope. "We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us."  This verse alone gives us hope and a motivation to grow beyond where we are. The Bible also tells us that where there is no vision the people surely will perish. Being able to visualize ourselves beyond where we are produces life in us. If you can see it you can achieve it.

Many of the people we encountered in Mexico could not see themselves beyond their poverty or beyond the unworthiness they felt. They were given rules to live by and standards to meet in order to gain acceptance into Heaven that they could never meet. They told us that this is what their local religious leaders taught. What wonderful news it must have been for them to hear about Jesus! To see their eyes open wide and the tears of joy surface as their vision is being restored by the Gospel, i.e. the good news about Jesus! Their response to our message was both exciting and humbling to me.

I had to ask myself, "Why has it taken over 2000 years for them to have heard this message that can set them free?" I felt sad to think that for centuries these people had been defeated by condemnation. I thought that surely at some point somebody must have told them the Good News about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Sadly however, not all Christians share the real truth about God...

The truth that Jesus died for our sins so we are made righteous or (right with God) by his blood. It is a free gift that we cannot earn.

The truth that God took out the punishment for “All” sin on Jesus, so we no longer have to fear punishment.

The truth that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The truth that there is nothing we can do to change the way God feels about us. God is no respecter of person. He loves the child abusing alcoholic just as much as he loves the Pope. (Remember, He sees us through the sin-washing blood of Jesus)

The truth that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us, and that He has given us everything we need pertaining to life and Godliness.

The truth that the end cannot come until all have heard the Gospel.

We told hundreds of people in Mexico the good news about God. Lives were changed for eternity. My life has been changed forever by the knowledge of God’s goodness. It's an awesome responsibility and honor to share it with a world who hasn’t heard the Good News.

- Andrew Bennett