The journey doesn’t end for volunteers as they board the plane to return home.

“Missions trips don’t end when you get on the plane,” shares Gregory Thomas, Southern Cross project coordinator. “Just because you’re leaving doesn’t mean that you can no longer make an impact here.”

Members of each team take time to sit down with Thomas before going back to their homes and families to talk about the trip – to share highlights, how God worked in their lives and what they will do as a result of the trip.

“Let me encourage you,” he continues. “We estimate that each Bible that goes into China will be seen by 10 people. How many Bibles did you all pass out?”

The team answers that they gave out 1,250 Bibles. Thomas challenges them to remember the face of each person they gave a packet. Team members nod. A few have tears in their eyes as they mentally recount the more memorable moments of the trip.

“The Bibles that you handed out will circulate. Up to 12,500 people may see and read them. It takes time for the Bibles to pass from hand to hand – perhaps as long as three months,” Thomas says. “You’ll want to start praying for those ten other people who will be reading each of those Bibles as well. “

Thomas challenges the volunteers to pray for the people they directly touched – those who have a Bible in their hands thanks to the volunteers. He also encouraged them to ask their churches to join in praying.

“They sent you,” he says. “They are responsible as well.”

Church partnership and involvement by praying is so crucial. Continued involvement is a major part of Southern Cross volunteer teams. Some of that is done by staying connected with the ministry as a prayer partner. Many, like Church at Canyon Creek, Austin, Texas, choose to form a partnership by bringing other volunteer teams. This is the 11th team for their church. Their church has a continuing partnership with Southern Cross. They send teams during Chinese New Year, spring and summer breaks.

John Morris,* Church at Canyon Creek, said because church members come and volunteer, missions’ giving has increased as well as personal awareness and involvement in missions has increased.

It’s also led to long-term missions involvement. Serving with Southern Cross inspired Roger and Beatrice Jacks,* from the Church at Canyon Creek in Austin, Texas, to move overseas to serve in ministry full-time. After passing out Bibles in Southeast Asia, the Jacks felt the Lord leading them to East Asia.

First timers from Church at Canyon Creek caught the vision for their churches’ involvement.

“I haven’t even been here 24 hours and I want to come back!” Angie Moore said her first night handing out Bibles.

*name changed