“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” – Romans 10:13-15

“This is your mission if you should choose to accept it…….” Every mission impossible movie has these words. The mission is always accepted and achieved, somehow, beyond all odds. We, as followers of Christ, have been given a mission as well. Matthew 28:19 calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Not only are we to declare the glory of God and share his love with people but also being ready to come alongside brothers and sisters and train them in what it means to follow Christ. The ultimate mission of every Christian should be to make more Christians through evangelism and teaching. “This is your mission if you choose to accept it….”

Is this your cry today for your life? This is the model put forth in the Bible and this is the mission of the church. What about social justice and caring for the poor? Jesus did not hesitate to meet people’s physical needs but then he met their spiritual needs by calling them to repentance and belief in God. Our ultimate goal is to meet the spiritual needs of the people around us as that is the calling for disciples of Christ. Can we care for people on the street? Yes of course!! However, the Bible is very clear that the world is going to continue to fall into decay and sin and we are responsible to tell the world about the kingdom of Jesus Christ that is imminent.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”- Psalm 96:3

1st Grace is put in Dayton to minister to the spiritual needs of those around us in our immediate community. That is our mission. Why do we support missionaries then in China, Vietnam, Brazil, Central African Republic, Japan and the Philippines? Because we also believe in the spread of the Gospel to all nations and the power of unity in the body of Christ across the globe. We are not an island! We are blessed when we sow into the harvest of souls that is taking place around the globe (Matthew 9:37).

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest” – John 4:35

In 2 Corinthians we see Paul raising up funds to give to the church at Jerusalem. The church around the world needs to take care of each other. We support missionaries and do not hesitate to partner with other churches around us as the biblical model of the universal church and unity across the world should not be ignored.

Are you ready to share the gospel with people around you? Everyone who calls on the name of Christ is called to be a missionary. Start now! Equip yourself to be the change in your immediate vicinity. Get involved in worldwide missions and local missions for the glory and cause of Jesus Christ.