When many Christians think of being sent by God to do His work, they think of a missionary calling. Most people think about being sent into a far off land on the other side of the world where poverty is rampant and there is much physical need. But does one really have to go to the other end of the world to answer God’s missionary calling? I don’t think so.There’s plenty of poverty, physical need and more in our own backyard. The reason we don’t think of our own backyard is because very few people have actually been there and seen the need. The stories are few in comparison to the multitude of stories from the overseas mission field. I mean, really, who can compete with stories about going to Africa and within a matter of weeks there are 1,000 baptisms? When was the last time you heard of something like that happening in a local community? So, naturally one wouldn’t think that being sent to one’s own neighborhood makes for a worthwhile mission field.
But this is a no good way of thinking. Sure the number of baptisms is startling but have you ever stopped to think about the number of people in your own community that don’t know Jesus or have given up on Him? I bet that number is more startling. You see the problem is that we tend to see the importance of mission work in terms of the potential number of baptisms instead of mission work in terms of reaching those that don’t know Christ. So, while local work is brutally out-matched in the baptismal column, I would venture to say that in the “don’t know Jesus” column the gloves come off.
The perception that we live in a Christian nation where the majority of people say they believe in God doesn’t mean that people’s faith doesn’t need assurance, comfort and guidance. Can you imagine if Jesus said to his disciples, “Ok guys, here’s the plan. Since we live in a Jewish nation where the majority of people say they believe in God, then let’s start in Asia where I’m sure if they saw my work we could potentially convert 1,000 people in no time!” How many people would have been left with broken lives and a hopeless faith in Israel? Last I checked the gospel accounts the multitudes that looked for Jesus numbered somewhere in the thousands! In Israel alone!
The point I’m trying to make is that God wants to send people into our local communities. The journey of sharing faith in our neighborhood environment may not yield 1,000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 45, 20, or even 5 baptisms in a matter of weeks but the important thing is that people know how much Jesus is interested in them and how much He values the mustard seed faith.
If you want to get involved or recieve more information about a ministry that can build hope and faith in your local community in a new and exciting way visit: http://www.sentmovement.org/ or send email to mike@sentmovement.org
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