Where do missions fit into the local church? 

The theme of missions, encompassing God’s redemptive plan for all nations and the sending of messengers to proclaim it, weaves throughout the entirety of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. It’s the unifying message revealing God’s desire for all people to know and worship him. 

We’ve had the blessed privilege of focusing on this element in the scriptures across these last twenty-five years of speaking in churches, and now with a focused emphasis in the Perspectives courses Joyce facilitates.  It’s like NEW information to many, although it’s been God’s heart from the very beginning of time.  Could I go so far as saying ‘from eternity past?’

Where do missions fit into the local church? 

On the one hand, a significant number of evangelical leaders acknowledge the importance of global evangelization and preach those texts in their churches. Some believe that foreign missions should be a central part of the church’s DNA, while others view local outreach and foreign missions as equally important and complementary ministries.

Many evangelical churches actively support foreign missions through financial giving, sending missionaries, offering prayer, and providing practical assistance although in recent years, that focus has shifted to more local interests.  …And that’s also good because God is bringing the nations to our door steps!

I recall speaking at a big youth gathering in a major city a few years ago.  I was intrigued to find a young man from a country I just visited seated in the front row.  But what was really intriguing to me was learning that there were more than 10,000 immigrants from that particulat nation living right there in the city!  It was refreshing to also learn that there were Christians and churches engaging relationships with those dear people… relationships that would open the door to share the gospel.

Prioritizing foreign missions can be a challenge to some.  But this is where we come into play, walking beside leadership teams to develop regularly focused vision to engage the church with a deeper understanding of equipping and sending harvest labors to the unreached.  It’s been fun seeing some of that happening among a few in our church.  

Our heart throbs with a passion to see churches recognizing those within their congregations who can be disciple and mentored with a heart for the nations so that when they are of age to make career choices, some will chose to go out as ambassadors of the gospel.  We certainly could turn the tide of putting Christian workers where there are great needs, which is dominantly among the unreached.

Well, these thoughts are gleanings from my heart as a mobilizer and former church planter among unreached peoples.  I value the fact that you, our reader audience, give thought to these things through your continued prayers and support. Thank you for sharing a part in the work the Lord has given us to do.