Stephen Baker

So Why Mission Year?

I might as well get the cliché “about me” jazz out in the open. My name is Stephen Baker, and I’m currently attending Liberty University where I’m putting a large chunk my time in worship and music studies. I’m by no standards academically inclined, so I’ve learned to get through my schooling with creativity, smooth talking, and a whole lot of grace. My favorite color is red, I’m a musician, I love big dogs, and I love to hold doors open for people, and I love reading… but don’t do it nearly as much as I’d like.

Alright. Introductions and 5 second self-analysis out of the way.

But to answer the question, my purpose for doing mission year is so that I can strip away my material distractions so that I can love the way I was made to; so I can love the way the Big Guy’s been telling me to.

I love people. I know that’s a broad statement, but just about every personality I run into interests me for one reason or another. I love to meet people and exchange stories, tell jokes, talk about music, soccer, whatever. I want to learn to build off of these relationships made and mold them into something meaningful that God smile at. I guess my goal is to start to see my neighbors as my own family. I think Mission Year will give all of us the opportunity to really illustrate what the family Jesus described can look like.

I have a gargantuan burden for people less fortunate than I am. I certainly don’t come from the wealthiest of families, but I do take for granted often all that I have. Some of the most impactful people in my life have been those that I serve and talk to in a shelter I work at. They’ve have shown me the value of friendships and love in comparison to food or money. It doesn’t compare.

Since I first heard about this program, God has started preparing me. God took away my band and placed me into a touring gospel band, exposing me to a completely new outlook on God’s church and worship, He’s taken my free time and given it to the hungry and homeless so that I can see why love is so important, and now He’s having me study (initially against my will) at a Christian university where I’m taking a majority of my classes on learning how to worship… and even more how to lead others in doing so.

It certainly wasn’t my plan for all of this to happen, but the grass seems to be infinitely greener on this side.

About Mission Year

Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of young people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor. Learn more about our first year program…

Stephen Baker's Blog

shake the dust / Dec 9, 03:50 PM

i figured i’d post something from my other blog, as i’m running out of time here at the library.
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shake the dust

yesterday i watched a nearly immobile woman who is coming to the very end of her life story be helped to the front of the sanctuary and lead everyone (without any prior worning or preparation) in the song “running for my life.” I’ve never seen someone so elated because of Christ in my entire life.

over the past month i’ve met several guys who have beaten addiction and homelessness and are now finding jobs to start new lives. They have hope that for once in their lives something will go right because of who’s hands their lives are now in.

i’ve met jobless women who volunteer every day that they aren’t job searching. they serve 200 people food and take a small bag of whatever is left home for themselves.

during my two days of homelessness i encountered a woman with a beautiful heart
who took a friend and me under her wing, taught me to panhandle, and helped me find food and money.
she gave me her only spare sign
which was “I’m just hungry” scribbled the backside of an bus advertisement
and half of her earnings
just because she wanted the two of us to eat.

That is Christ.

If you allow yourself to stand with your feet cemented in your comfort and allow the dust to collect on your shoulders, you will never see Christ as He hoped you would.

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apologies for a lack of updating. i admit that i’ve been a little partial to my personal blog above this one, which i’m trying to remedy. if you want to check that out and see what you’ve been missing (which isn’t too much,) you can go to stevooo.blogspot.com. a lack of library bandwidth and lack of time to make video updates has also cut you all short. So again, i’m very sorry.

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