“Anthem Mission’s has impacted my life forever. Through going on the Casas For Cristo trip twice now, I have learned more about the Lord being the strength through my weakness, the joy in my pain, and the reason that I have a desire to serve those who need to see the love of Christ displayed. I have seen the Lord transform families lives and mindsets through our group building a house for them in a mere three days. My life changed when I saw that through my obedience to step out, of my own comfort zone and my idea of ministry, is a hand reaching out to touch the lost and the broken hearted. If someone has not yet had the opportunity to go out of the country and their comfort zone, they should. In the stretching, the Lord is able to grow and mold our hearts to see His people and creation through His eyes and heart. We make much of Jesus as we become more like Him.”

"I went on a missions trip with my son were we worked with a team to build a house for a family. It provided an opportunity for us to talk about respecting other cultures, how to be kind to those who are different from us, to be thankful for what we have, to remember that everyone has a story that matters, and to see firsthand how God cares about each person and their needs. What we did as a team not only greatly blessed the family in need but I think it molded our hearts to be a little bit more like Jesus'. I cannot think of a better legacy to pass to my son than showing him how to follow Jesus and how to be His hands and feet to a hurting world. I am so thankful that God invited us to be a part of His provision for that precious family.”

“I love serving on mission trips with Anthem. It’s a practical way to serve God and His people. We go thinking that we are going to make a difference in a family’s life but everyone involved is touched by God”

“I have gone on several mission trips to Mexico to serve with Casas Por Cristo. Every time God reminds me of the importance of serving others. I know God has given me special talents and abilities that I can use to serve God by building a house for a family that they could not ever afford to do themselves. I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show the family how much God loves them. I know we are a blessing for the family, but what I find is that I receive a bigger blessing from them then I think I ever give. When we present the house at the end of the build the emotions are high for all who are involved. If you haven’t been on a mission trip I would encourage you to step out and give it a shot. You will not be disappointed!”

“Something happens when we decide to serve the lost. We find ourselves, through many doubts and fears, working alongside the Father. His heart of love for his lost sheep begins to become our heart, and we discover that we can continue this happy partnership, whether we are on the far side of the planet or in our own hometown.”

“Going to Cambodia was not on my list of things to do this year but I knew God was calling me to go. I had a lot of anxiety about going as I had never done anything like that before, but a few days before we left, I realized God had completely taken away my fear, and I was excited for the trip! It was a miracle! Before going, our team’s theme was prayer and we went expecting God to do great things. He did not disappoint! The people of Cambodia are such warm, compassionate people, and we fell in love with them. So many great connections were made and seeds were planted!It was an awesome trip and I am so glad God was faithful and blessed my obedience and went before us! He gets all the glory!”

Something incredible happens when we say “yes” to God, and allow Him to lead us out of our comfort zone and out of our ordinary lives on a short-term mission trip. When I go “out there”, I get to see God move and work in a way that isn’t always visible in my everyday life. What’s more, I’m invited to actively participate in the work God is doing—what a privilege!  And in the process, I get to know Jesus better than I knew Him before. This year when I went to Cambodia, I began to understand the power of prayer in a way that I never had before. And all of this was from a willingness to just stay YES.  Kristie Chute says it best: “You never know what lies on the other side of your ‘Yes’.”