An important part of Cedarville culture is the goal for every student to go on a mission trip at some point during their 1000 Days here. There are so many different opportunities to go on mission, even when living in southwest Ohio, and a GO Trip is one of those incredible opportunities. This spring break, 22 other students and I chose to go to Denver, Colorado, for a mission trip to serve and learn about church planting in the city by observing what the Calvary Family of Churches (CFC) is doing in Denver.
There is a desperate need for more Gospel-preaching, Bible-teaching churches in Denver, and along with that, there is a need for Christians who are grounded in biblical truth and have been shaped and transformed by their closeness with the Lord. Over time, Denver has become an increasingly lost “post-Christian” city, valuing the worship of creation rather than the Creator and living for the self. Many people we talked to were either self-proclaimed atheists or believed in a god but were misguided in their views of who the one true God was.
On the first day of our trip, Jeremy Conrad, the Executive Director of the CFC, took us on a tour through downtown Denver and gave us valuable information about the city. Throughout the seven days we spent in the city, we went to several different Calvary church plants, visiting pastors, hearing their stories and the stories of their churches, doing Q&As with them, and regularly participating in door-to-door evangelism in the nearby neighborhoods. My team and I had great training leading up to the trip where we got information on the needs of the city and what beliefs are common among the population. Because I had this information going into the trip, I was able to have an idea of the kind of people I would be talking to.
I love evangelism and how it not only plants a seed in an unbeliever’s life but also grows your own faith as you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your words. Although many people find door-to-door evangelism intimidating, it is never a waste of time to share the incredible good news with someone, even if they are a total stranger.
The pastors we met were always eager to live life on mission in their communities and play the “long game” in ministry. By “long game,” I mean that they were not looking for fast results or mass conversion and discipleship happening from one day of evangelism. They live a life on mission by prioritizing radical hospitality, generosity, and loving God with all their hearts, minds, and souls so that the people around them can’t help but know that they are believers and disciples of Jesus. This is a process that happens over a long period of time — not just one day or one week.
Being faithful to the Lord and living on mission can look like moving overseas, but even while we are stateside, whether just for a season or long-term, we can take some valuable lessons from how these pastors live their lives in their churches, neighborhoods, and communities.
Denver is a sanctuary city, meaning that many immigrants and asylum-seekers find their home in the city. This makes for a very diverse population with many different religions and needs. Unfortunately, it also creates some issues of crime and homelessness. On the third day of our trip, we visited a ministry called Jesus on Colfax which seeks to build relationships with people and help them rise out of poverty, whether of soul or situation. Colfax Avenue used to be known as the “Broadway” of Denver, but it is now a hotspot for homelessness and various types of crime. We joined Jesus on Colfax for their Tuesday Night Ministry, which includes knocking on the doors of the motels on the street and giving out burritos, cookies, and prayer to anyone interested. Witnessing the lostness that exists on this notoriously dark street was a very eye-opening experience. At the same time, though, Jesus on Colfax is shining a light for the Lord and showing these people that true hope is found in Jesus.
I truly loved my time in Denver learning and serving alongside an incredible team of friends. My main takeaway was simply that the Church is so needed. Big churches serve a purpose, and small churches do too. God uses all churches that are faithful to Him and His Word to advance His Kingdom, regardless of the size. Everyone has a God-given gift that they can and should use to serve the Church. Discipleship is the key to helping people steward these gifts and use them well. I was also heavily impacted by Jeremy Conrad, who I mentioned earlier. Jeremy is one of the most humble, servant-hearted, and encouraging individuals I’ve ever met. He spoke some deeply encouraging words to me that invigorated my heart for church ministry. I was so thankful to spend the week learning from him.
If you ever have the chance to go on a mission trip to Denver or to go to the city on your own, I highly encourage you to do so. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and have been transformed by His love, Denver is in desperate need of your ministry, regardless of your major or future occupation.
The truth is that faithful ministry is needed everywhere. Wherever you end up, live on mission and love the people around you so much that they question where your love comes from. And when you answer, tell them how the love of the Lord saved you!
Major: Biblical Studies
Year of Graduation: Class of 2026
Tags: #cedarville, #globaloutreach, #GO, #helpful, #missions, #studentlife, #testimony
Posted in: Global Outreach, Student Life, Testimony