Should we go back to Mountain T.O.P., or try somewhere else?
I was not a Christian when I came into college and had just recently been saved when I first attended MTOP’s Spring Breakout my Freshman year. I was overwhelmed by my experience that week in so many different ways. I was overwhelmed by the good that MTOP was doing for their community, overwhelmed by the joy I had working with the MTOP staff, but mostly overwhelmed by all that the Lord showed me about myself, the people around me, and about Him.
I believe in what MTOP is doing to impact their community by helping to break the cycle of poverty. It’s so important for us as followers of Christ to be His light in the are that he has placed us in. I love that UGA CCF gets to partner with MTOP every year to help in their mission. We used to go to Mexico and partner with an organization there to build houses for those in need, and while that is a great mission, I love that we can serve a community that is just a couple hours away from where we live. Missions abroad absolutely have their place, but I am so glad that we can help MTOP reach a community in need right in our own neck of the woods.
Going to MTOP as a student had such an impact on my walk with the Lord, that it’s so great to be able to lead groups of current college students on Spring Break now. Every year when I’m in the early planning stages for our Spring Break Mission Trip, the thought goes through my head “Should we go back to Mountain T.O.P., or try somewhere else?” and every year, that thought lasts about 1.3 seconds. The impact that MTOP has on not only our students that attend the trip, but our ministry as a whole is just too good to pass up. There is a culture “On the mountain” that follows us back to Athens, Georgia and spreads around our ministry (Plus, it doesn’t hurt that we all have on MTOP sweatshirts, hats, t-shirts, cups… etc. ;)).
It’s been incredible to see the growth of our mission trip since we’ve been consistently going to MTOP. The first year I was in charge of the trip, we took 18 people. This past year (year 3 of me leading the trip) we took 40! I know that growth is because of the culture that MTOP cultivates and pours into us while we are “on the mountain.” I always leave feeling like I am part of the MTOP family, even though I only see them for 6 days a year! It’s incredible how talented the staff is at creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you aren’t just serving with MTOP, you are PART of MTOP.
We just had our first interest meeting for Spring Break 2020 and have well over 40 people interested :D . I really can’t say enough about how MTOP has strengthened my view of Christ-centered service and missions. I strongly believe in what they are doing in Grundy County and the surrounding area and would be more than happy to share more about my experiences with anyone!
BIO: My name is Brian Wallace and I work at Christian Campus Fellowship at The University of Georgia. We have been going to Mountain T.O.P. as a ministry for our Spring Break Mission trips for over a decade now, and I’ve personally been on 7 Spring Breakout trips myself!