Whenever we put up announcements calling for mission trippers or outreach volunteers, the response can be rather slow and sometimes, we have no response at all. In my initial years, I was told that a general call is not enough; we must approach people individually and talk to them on a personal basis. Then there is a chance that people might respond and step up.
But as disciples of Jesus, we must first know that participating in Christ’s mission for the world is not an option. The mission our Lord Jesus undertook in his incarnation to proclaim to the world the good news of the kingdom of God, to die and rise from the grave for the forgiveness of sins—he commissioned and empowered the Church to do when he ascended into heaven; it is the Great Commission; a command, not a suggestion.
There are two immediate but critical ways we can participate in Christ’s mission to reach and transform the world. The first is prayer which undergirds all spiritual work. You may download Operation World app on your devices to join a dedicated group of Christians from around the world in daily prayer for the nations or pray every day for Joshua Project’s ‘unreached of the day’. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out more workers, especially to places where the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. Moreover, instead of praying alone, form a group of your Christian friends to do that, that you may spur one another on, asking God to show you all how you may meaningfully join Christ on his mission.
Secondly, we need to force ourselves to move out our comfort zone—to engage someone who doesn’t think, speak, and act like us. Perhaps because of our reserved nature, we find it difficult to initiate conversation with someone we don’t know well. However, initiating a conversation is the second critically important step in obeying the command of our Lord. If we don’t, how can the gospel reach the ears of those who need it? Obviously, we can’t expect that non-believing neighbour to take the first step.
We have been saved for a reason. If we see someone about to be run over by a car, we won’t hesitate to do something. We will immediately warn and shout, pull or push that person out of harm’s way. After all, a life is at stake! That’s the urgency of the gospel today. Let us take the Great Commission seriously and go.