A Faith That Inspires

In May 2026, I had the opportunity to be part of a team traveling to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to serve the local community in a variety of ways. The team consisted primarily of college students from Seton Hill and St. Vincent, along with one high school student.

Most of the students would have considered themselves newer believers, having followed Jesus for only one or two years. From the very beginning, however, it was obvious that they had a genuine passion for sharing the Gospel and being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If I'm honest, it wasn't what I expected, and it wasn't something I was used to experiencing with that age group. There was no hesitation when it came to talking about their faith. They eagerly asked questions, desired to go deeper, and were hungry to learn more about God.

Because our team had been meeting monthly leading up to the trip, we moved quickly past the typical introductory conversations and into deeper discussions from day one. Their knowledge of Scripture was evident in the way they prayed, the conversations they had, and the way they viewed the world around them. In many ways, it was humbling. Watching their faith challenged me and made me want to pursue Jesus with the same boldness and enthusiasm.

One of our first ministry opportunities was delivering food to a small village. We arrived in the middle of an open field surrounded by homes that many of us would barely recognize as houses. Most were simple structures built from scrap wood and corrugated metal. Nothing fit together perfectly; pieces were added wherever they could be made to work. Some homes had dirt floors, while others had concrete slabs covered by a layer of dirt.

Yet time and time again, these families welcomed us into their homes. We were complete strangers who spoke a different language, but they opened their doors and shared their lives with us. Most had little understanding of why we had come beyond bringing food to the community. The bags we distributed would likely provide only a few days' worth of meals, but for many families, those few days could make a significant difference.

What impacted me most wasn't the food—it was the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus. Several members of our team boldly shared the Gospel, and people responded by placing their faith in Christ. Through simple acts of kindness and obedience, eternal impact was made.

As the week continued, we led baseball and basketball clinics throughout the community. At each clinic, a member of our team shared their testimony and presented the Gospel. One afternoon, our youngest team member, just sixteen years old, was asked to speak.

I've rarely seen someone so excited to share Jesus.

The joy in his eyes and the smile on his face were contagious. As I watched him speak, tears filled my eyes. His excitement wasn't forced or manufactured—it overflowed from a genuine love for Christ. It was a powerful reminder that sharing the Gospel should never feel like an obligation. It is a privilege.

As the week progressed, it became clear that the Holy Spirit wasn't only working in the people we had come to serve—He was working in us as well.

We all carry things that need healing, surrender, or freedom. I often think of it like a sparring match. The Holy Spirit is gentle and patient. He invites us to surrender. He speaks softly and consistently. But when we continue resisting what He wants to do in our lives, eventually He confronts us with a truth we can no longer ignore.

About halfway through the trip, that reality became evident within our team. One of our team members had been wrestling with God for quite some time. He fought it hard. But eventually he realized he needed Jesus in a deeper, life-changing way. During the trip, he surrendered his life to Christ.

Watching that transformation unfold was one of the most powerful moments of the week.

By the end of the trip, lives had been changed—both theirs and ours. Memories were made, first-time experiences were shared, and seeds were planted that will continue bearing fruit long after we returned home.

As I reflect on the trip, one lesson stands out above the rest: God often uses those who are simply willing and available. Age, experience, and expertise matter far less than obedience. Watching these young believers boldly live out their faith reminded me that the Gospel is still changing lives, and that God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people who are willing to say yes.

For that reminder, I am incredibly grateful.