I was invited to go on a mission trip to Latvia. As a pastor I was personally led to go on this trip out of a desire to serve Jesus in a different culture than my on. I also was curious about what this could mean for myself and others as a means of discipleship. I was not disappointed! That trip and several others like it has resulted in a deeper walk with Jesus. I now understand and have seen up close how much the act of going a mission trip can be a huge catalyst for a more intentional discipleship journey. We go to serve the local church. But in many ways we are also opened up to a work of God in our own hearts that we take back with us when we return home.