“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
“Are you called to missions?” As a new Christian, I heard these words and froze. As I listened to pastors and missionaries preach on the necessity of missions for the advancement of the gospel, I was challenged but also frightened. When pondering my future, missions seemed inevitable. Why would I, who now possessed the greatest news human ears could hear, not go to those who have not heard? Why wouldn’t every Christian at least consider this exciting yet humbling call from God?
I have found this to be a common response from believers I have spoken with since then. A common theme over the past few decades within the church is that missions is a vocation of ministry outside the part and parcel of the everyday Christian life. In other words, certain Christians “do missions”, and we support them through encouragement and financial giving. Of course, this is a necessary aspect of our work. God’s primary vehicle for taking the gospel to all nations is his church, so in no way am I discounting the beauty of sacrificial giving to this cause. However, our task is to be more than financial supporters; we are called to missional living- the act of intentionally doing life with the goal of making disciples by proclaiming the gospel and teaching God’s Word wherever you are, in whatever you do.
In the Great Commission text, Jesus gives his disciples the command to go and make disciples of all nations. Think about this within the context of his apostles. Paul, the great missionary, took the gospel to the ends of the known earth. Peter, on the other hand, remained and preached the gospel within the region of Judea. Does this mean that one is superior to the other? Of course not! Instead, both apostles strived to accomplish the ministries the Lord gave them. Some of you will indeed cross cultural and language barriers as a missionary to a particular people and place where the gospel is not known. No doubt the Lord still calls men and women to serve him overseas in international contexts. Some, on the other hand, might never change your zip code. In both scenarios, the charge from the Lord Jesus is still the same- go and make disciples.
Moreover, our city has experienced massive growth in population, particularly men, women, and children from various parts of the world. Remarkably, the nations have come to us! Recently, the Lord has allowed us to proclaim the gospel to many people from many places through our ESL program. While we are blessed to participate in this wonderful opportunity to be ambassadors for Christ, the harvest is plentiful. In Northeast Georgia, many have still never heard the good news of the gospel within your communities, where you work, and at the schools your children attend. I want to encourage you- the Lord has you where you are for his purpose. If the Lord does not send you elsewhere, the Lord’s command to you is still the same. So church, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.”