By the time many of you hold this issue in your hands, our team will already be in transit — on our way to the Philippines for a two-week mission trip through Volunteer Student Missions (VSM) program. We’ll be serving from June 19 through July 1, ministering alongside our BMA missionaries and churches, doing everything from Vacation Bible Schools and small group discipleship to church services and youth outreach.
Kristin and I are once again leading a team to the Philippines. This year, our team includes our son, Austin, along with six other incredible students: Danny Maxwell, Levi Yager, Anna Kate Dodson, Cassidy Little and Attison Williams. These students have spent months preparing — raising support, studying the culture and developing a heart for missions — and now it’s time to go.
We leave Thursday evening, flying out of Dallas at 10:55 p.m., but the trip really began long before that. It began in local churches and youth groups that encouraged these students to listen for God’s call. It continued through BMA Global’s ministry, which provided structure, training and accountability. And it continues now with you — our families, friends and churches — who will carry us with your prayers.
As a parent and a pastor, I know how it feels to watch someone you love step onto a plane in today’s world. While we are not traveling to a region of conflict, I understand the anxiety many families are feeling right now. The world feels unstable in so many ways. But we are leaning on the truth of Psalm 121:8: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
So, I’m writing today to ask — not just as a newspaper editor, but as a team leader and a dad — for your prayers.
Here’s how you can pray with us over the coming days:
• Thursday, June 19 — Pray for safety as we travel from Conway to Dallas, for smooth check-in and flight logistics, and for peace as families say goodbye. Ask the Lord to prepare our hearts as we begin this journey. “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).
• Friday–Saturday, June 20–21 — We’ll be in transit for much of these two days, arriving in Manila late Saturday. Please pray for stamina, health and rest as we cross time zones and adjust to the culture around us. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31).
• Sunday through Wednesday, June 22–25 — We’ll partner with Pilot Missionary Baptist Church and BMA missions in the Rizal area, leading youth fellowships, multiple VBS sessions and small group Bible studies. Please pray for gospel clarity and open hearts, for boldness as I preach and for compassion as our students connect with kids and teens. “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31). “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them…’” (Matt. 19:14).
• Thursday through Saturday, June 26–28 — We’ll transition to Quezon Province for more VBS, a basketball outreach and ministry in the local church, where I’ll again have the opportunity to preach. Pray for safe travel, continued unity and for God to use our time to build up the churches we serve. This leg of the trip also marks Kristin’s and my 29th wedding anniversary (June 28), which we’ll celebrate on the mission field — grateful to be serving together. “…created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).
• June 30–July 1 — As we wrap up our time in the Philippines and begin the journey home, pray that we will reflect well on all that God has done — that seeds planted will bear fruit and that our students will carry this experience into future service. We’ll return just in time to jump into the SOAR youth conference in Dallas. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” (Phil. 1:6).
There’s something humbling about watching students step out in faith like this — to leave the comfort of their summer break and go where the gospel is needed. It’s equally humbling to lead them. These aren’t just trips — they’re life-altering experiences, not only for the students but for the churches and communities we partner with.
I believe God still calls and still sends — and sometimes He uses a mission trip to make that calling clear.
Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for supporting missions in your local church. And thank you for being part of what God is doing, not only here at home, but around the world.
