My 27th mission trip by: Gary Sullivan
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” – Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
As five mission teams with 76 team members are getting ready to travel at Brightmoor, we are reminded of a favorite verse of Gary Sullivan.
This verse has been a cornerstone for his life, inspiring him to faithfully use the talents God has given him to further His kingdom. It speaks to the heart of our willingness to respond when God calls — when there is a need, when we may feel uncertain of what we have to offer, or even when we question our qualifications.
Time and again, Gary has chosen to trust in a God who already has a plan! By saying “yes” to His call, he has learned to rely on His provision, whether it be for time, resources, or direction.
This is what Gary has to tell us:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
I reflect on this verse as a reminder of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples—not to worry about what to say, for the Holy Spirit would give them the words. In the same way, if God has already prepared the work before us, if the Holy Spirit is stirring our hearts to act, and if we feel the desire to serve, what holds us back from saying “yes”?
This calling has led me on an incredible journey. In March 2025, I will travel to the Netherlands for my 27th mission trip. My first trip was in 1992 to Paraguay, and since then, my wife has joined me on five trips. It has been one of my greatest joys to also bring each of our four adult children and three grandchildren on separate trips. I wanted them to witness firsthand how God works in and through them, blessing others and enriching their own faith.
Mission trips are so much more than acts of service; they are opportunities to do the Lord’s work, deepen your faith, and forge lasting friendships with your teammates. Saying “yes” to God’s call is not just an act of obedience—it’s an act of trust, one that changes lives, including your own.
– Gary Sullivan
