Introduction
What Are GO Teams?
| GO Teams are teams of willing volunteers who help congregations with outreach. We encourage both young and more mature people to go on these teams. They are organised by the GO Committee under the authority of the Mission Committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. |  |
Why Have GO Teams?
Christ has commanded the church to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28 v 19). GO Teams provide one way for people to do that. The reason we have GO Teams is to help people spread the Gospel.
The people of this world are in utter spiritual darkness. Jesus tells us, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5 v 14). He has given us the responsibility of reflecting himself, the true light, to those who do not know him. "You shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" Philippians 2 v 15. GO Teams give you an opportunity to hold out the word of life to needy people.
Many churches need help to reach out into their communities. "As a congregation we have sought to bring the message of life to those who are perishing. With your help we can do more to get the message of the gospel out to those who are without hope." - David McCullough, Faughan Reformed Presbyterian Church.
What Do GO Teams Do?
First, GO Teams go. They go to existing congregations and fellowships of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland and its sister churches. This means that follow-up work can be done after they leave. This year we are sending teams to Scotland and France as well as to many parts of Ireland. The teams work under the oversight of the elders in the church they are with.
Secondly, GO Teams make disciples. They work alongside the local congregations helping them to carry out their work of evangelism. This usually involves various different types of work. Some examples are:
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Of course, its not all work. There is some free time:
And you can never be exactly sure just what you will end up doing!
When Are the GO Teams?
Most GO Teams take place during the Spring and Summer. They usually last for either a weekend or a week.
What Do GO Teams Cost?
During the GO Team you will be able to stay with a member of the host congregation, free of charge. This means that all the teams are free. You just have to give of your time and effort, and get yourself to the congregation that the team is going to.
What Are GO Teams Really Like?
Here is one person's answer.
In the summer of 1998 I took my first adventure on a GO Team. I wanted to do something for God that summer and was guided to Faughan GO Team. I hadn’t heard of Faughan church, didn’t know where it was, who the minister was or who went there. That was all about to change and I would make friends for life.
Going on my first GO Team I was very nervous and apprehensive. I didn’t know what to expect and if I had enough knowledge. In Faughan I learned so much about the church, teamwork, myself, but most importantly God. I learned from older and wiser Christians who worked alongside us and prayed for us. He constantly seems to challenge me and shows His power and love through working for Him. Prayer is a challenge to all of us, but going on a GO Team shows the power of prayer and how God answers prayer.
I have been on many GO Teams; Airdrie, Stranlorlar, Cloughmills, Kilraughts and Faughan. Each GO Team is different, with different people, different tasks and different challenges. But evidently the one factor that does remain the same is God and He never ceases to amaze me. God is more powerful than we can imagine and constantly has control when we feel weak.
I have continued to return to GO Teams and the reason………………. God keeps sending me back for more. It isn’t always easy; early mornings, screaming disruptive children, bad weather, smelly houses, unpleasant people and long mountainous treks. But it is an experience you will never forget. To hear one child say thank you for giving them something to do, to talk to a widowed man who just wanted company, to get one phone call from handing out one leaflet out of 6000 and to help one Reformed Presbyterian church who wants some help; makes it worthwhile. When we give we always receive and on GO Teams we receive everything, all the blessings that God gives us just because we are loving others and spreading his word.
I will always come home from a GO Team tired, exhausted and dirty. I will also come back smiling, excited to tell others and on fire for God. The thing that always does get me about GO Teams is this - I always come back having received so much; love, encouragement, joy, kindness and thankfulness which leaves me wondering did I give anything?
As Christians, we take the name of Christ. Christ didn’t stay in one place, He moved about and told people about Himself. If you are going to take His name you also need to take the responsibility with it. Don’t think someone else will go, God wants you. Not the person beside you, not someone older, not someone younger, not someone who can talk better, not someone who knows more about the Bible, not someone more exciting - He wants you!
This is the requirement we need to match and God will handle the rest. Don’t let Him down cause He has never let you down and is not about to start. GO Teams will change you and your life - so be careful, don’t say I didn’t warn you!!!
Alison McCollum
"go and make disciples of all nations"
Matthew 28 v 19
