“I know there are lost people around the world but we need to reach the lost here.”I hear this often and pastors talk to me about those in their congregation who cannot understand why we want to go care for people around the world when we have hurting lost people here. So, why do we go? Here are five reasons we at IMFC go and why we want to take others with us.
Jesus said to go.The great commission is very clear and it is given in all four gospels in different forms and the book of Acts. Our going to all people with His good news was of utmost importance to Jesus Christ. If we are to be obedient to the Lord, we have no choice but to go. We really have been called.
Someone came to us.The good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ did not come to us first. It was first delivered to the Jews. People who were obedient to the Lord’s command to go brought it to us. We must do the same. We must pass on this good news.
We have the opportunity. Never before in the history of this world has the opportunity to travel been greater than it is today. We have the means of transportation to go to almost anywhere in the world, whenever we want. We can travel to Africa quicker today than our forefathers could travel from Atlanta to Birmingham. And, we have the time and resources. Traveling is expensive, but we have the money. Traveling takes time, but we can get off. We may have to sacrifice a vacation or a few gifts at Christmas, but if we want to we can do it. It’s really not a question of “Can we?”, but “Do we want to?”.
The need is great and the time is now.The Spirit of the Lord is moving all across our world and people are receptive. Many, many Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, some report that more Muslims are coming to faith in Christ today than ever before. A look at China, India, Africa and South America shows a dramatic increase in the number of Christians. It is reported that every single day over 3,000 people come to Christ. We need to work the fields that are white to harvest while there is time and while they are white. We live in a awesome time; let’s make the most of it!
We have the responsibility.Jesus said, “To who much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). We are accountable for the knowledge, resources, abilities, and opportunities that the Lord has blessed us with. Since he has blessed us with much, he expects us to give much. God promised Abraham in Gensis 12 that he would bless him and his family and he was to be a blessing. We have been blessed. Now it is time for us to be a blessing.
Does “Going” mean we abandon our own family, community, city and country. Absolutely not. We must do both. You are the missionary to your family and world. You represent Christ. You and I must do here what we send missionaries across the seas to do. Together we pray and work to reach our own people with the good news of Jesus Christ every single day of the year. And we need our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries to pray and help us. Many countries are now sending missionaries here to reach their people living in the US. We need their help. They need ours. Together we can make Christ known to all people groups. For this we pray and work.
Check out this homemade video for an additional thought. It’s right from the heart and unrehearsed.
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Because of my trip to Kampala in 2006 with my church, I am experiencing your reason #6. I am so much more aware of opportunities God gives me to share His love here at home. Too, I am more aware of God’s presence in my own life. I HAD to go to Africa to be able to share at home, and my heart has always been for local missions. I am excited for my church’s group (Life’s JourneyChurch) who will be going to Kampala in late June. God is not an American!!!