MEET CASSIDY HARRIS: called to serve and believing it's the position of your heart rather than the location of your feet that truly matters.

What led you to serve in Las Vegas?

The Lord placed missions on my heart in eighth grade, and ever since then, I fell in love with everything about missions. Las Vegas was the second mission trip my new youth group offered since I became a member there, and I knew instantly I was supposed to go. When we go to Las Vegas in June, our team is going to be working with a church plant there that our church sort of “adopted”. We will also do a sports camp and share the gospel on the Vegas Strip.

Why do you think it’s important for believers to spend intentional time serving others?

I think it’s important that we as believers spend time intentionally serving others because we should be an example to non-believers just as Christ is our example. When we focus on someone besides ourself, we begin to learn to die to self, and I think that’s truly when we learn to live like Christ. My favorite thing I’ve learned is that the Lord’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on our own faithfulness. Even when I give up and give in to the lies, He never changes and is still there to hold my hand through it all.

What did you learn through fundraising for your trip?

Fundraising for my trip was so fun because I got to help design a shirt that had a message I was passionate about. I learned that not everyone is going to want to support your trip in the way or timing that you want them to, and that’s okay. Prayer is just as powerful as any form of fundraising. It helped me to trust the Lord because I knew if I was truly supposed to go on this trip, He would make a way.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to serve but isn’t sure where to start?

If you’re someone who has the heart to serve but you feel overwhelmed or confused, I would say to just take it one step at a time. Your first act of service doesn’t have to be a big mission trip; you can start by paying for the meal of the person behind you in line or helping a senior citizen load their groceries into their car. It’s about the position of your heart, not the location of your feet.