Help Joseph Spread God's Love on a Mission Trip

Hello, my name is Joseph Hurtado and this is my story.. ever since I was a kid I always knew that I wanted to follow God’s will for my life. As I got older, I grew more in my spiritual gifts, and my spiritual maturity and understanding through my journey of faith.

When I was a child, I always had the desire to follow God’s will for my life and I started to have the desire and dream to “travel the world for Jesus!” And even though it was a dream of mine to go to the nations, I never really pictured myself getting the opportunity to go. Over time that dream and hope I developed as I would hear stories of missionaries and I believed it could one day be me, slowly started to fade away.

Then recently one day, I stepped into an opportunity that reawakened that dream and desire. Last year the Lord had blessed me with a seasonal job and when I got my check, I felt God strongly tell me to put the last of my money away and save it for something specific. I didn’t know what it was for but, out of faith, I obeyed.

A couple of weeks had passed, and I started to lose confidence that the lord spoke to me, so on a Saturday morning I almost spent the money. Again, I felt a super strong tug to just wait one more day. So out of my genuine love for the Lord I obeyed and waited one more day!

The following day was Sunday, and we had church. That morning we had guest speakers Pastor Dan and Sister Debbie Smith. They shared an amazing message and ended with sharing about a class that they had started 11 years prior. The class was called “The Supernatural Lifestyle Training” through the Ministry of Hope City. One of the main points was that through this training we would grow and learn how to hear from the Lord. That was something I had a strong desire to grow more in. As they began to close, they shared how to get involved and provided a QR code for us to scan if interested. I was already pretty interested but wasn’t planning on actually going forward with signing up. Especially because I knew there was an investment cost to take the class, but still out of curiosity I scanned the QR code and as I was reading the details of the class. I got to the part where the prices were stated and literally as I read them, I stopped and looked up in shock to see that it costed exactly the amount God had told me to save. Instantly God spoke to me and told me that that was what He wanted me to use the money for, and to sign up for the class. I took the step of faith and signed up right then and there. And I’m so glad I did!

It was such a great class, I grew and learned so much. One of the best parts of the class was that they announced that after we graduated, we would have an opportunity to go with the team on a missions trip! Again, in complete shock, I went all the way back to the first time the Lord reawakened the dream to travel the world for Him, and I knew that the Lord had seen this whole journey from the beginning. Out of amazement I went home later that night to tell my family and they were too in shock at how amazing God is.

So now I am an alumni and am super blessed and excited to actually be given the opportunity to go with the pastors and their team on a missions trip to Uganda! I am grateful and amazed at the opportunity to spread the hope and love of Jesus Christ to people around the world!

I wanted to share my story in hopes that it would inspire and give hope to others that once had or currently have the desire to travel and reach the world for Jesus. It’s never too late! Matthew 28:19 in the Bible says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” God is Faithful to qualify the unqualified!

He desires to send us just as much we desire to go, so don’t be afraid, step out pray about it and take that leap of Faith. And then just watch God do amazing things with your life just through your YES!

I pray that this encourages someone and may God bless you all who read this!

I would like to ask that you would consider sowing a financial seed of Faith to help towards the funds required for this trip. I have personally been a witness and recipient to the goodness and faithfulness of God when we give to further His Kingdom. He always provides, and He always blesses those who give. Any amount would be a huge help and blessing. Thank you so much for your seed of love and your investment. May God bless you abundantly!