My PASSION Magazine issue #2

12 | My Passion - Issue 2 - July 2015 My Passion - Issue 2 - July 2015 | 13
Mission to Mission
India to
Africa
by Shana Cheeks
I want to share with you the importance of going on mission trips. You should start with places that have been
vetted and are actually doing the work of Jesus Christ. Groups that are preaching the gospel, taking care of the
needs of children, the elderly and widows, building schools, churches, orphanages and digging wells. I am a part
of IMF (International Ministers Forum). This group has been around for over 65 years, and it was this organization
that ordained me. IMF is very mission minded, and not only helps missionaries going into the field, they
are also able to reassure people who donate money that it is going toward a worthwhile cause.
It is very important to surround yourself with people who have similar visions, who see the gifting’s and calling
on your life. Bishop Darrell and Pastor Kathy Gooden, the Presidents of IMF, along with my husband, Mark
support and believe in the work that God has called me to do. These three people are the first to support any
and all mission trips I undertake.
IMF takes teams of people to different mission fields. For example: this year we took a group of eight to India
in support of Christ for India during their Pastors Conference and we commissioned seminary graduates to go
into the mission field. It was an honor to be a part of this exciting time for them. We prayed for them along with
financial support and shared encouragement to those going out into missions.
Christ for India also houses over 400 children that they feed, clothe and educate. If you are interested in learning
more about Christ for India or donating to help their ministry, please visit www.christforindia.org. There
you will see the family that started this legacy, Dr. PJ & Mary Titus and their children, Johnson and Jameson
Titus. It has been a constant blessing to be associated with Christ for India.
After leaving India, I then traveled on my own, to Nairobi, Kenya, where I was able to pray for and encourage
the church I visited. At the end of the service I was given the opportunity to spend several hours encouraging
and praying with the women of the congregation.
My journey then took me to Makurdi, Nigeria, where I visited several villages, sharing the gospel, praying,
giving out shoes, food, salt and financial support. Afterward we had a women’s conference and were able to
give clothing, grains, soap and detergent to the widows and elderly women who attended the event. I was
also blessed to spend time visiting with the children at an orphanage, giving them loving attention, food and
finances to help with their daily needs.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and I think these pictures speak for themselves.
Continuing on our missions journey, we visited several other states; Mumbai, Coimbatore and Kerala. We visited
churches there in support of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We were able to pray for them, share the
gospel with many families, as well as blessing them financially.