The Role of Missions

  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 

Acts 1:8

    I firmly believe that all Christians are called to missions. Now, this isn't a very typical stance, and is debated among the church. However, I don't think that means everyone should go overseas. 

    When you think of the word "missions", what's the first thing that comes to mind? You probably think of a missionary lying to get through customs, living in the 10/40 window, or someone who can never truly be honest about what their job is. Maybe you think of someone smuggling Bibles across borders, or handing out food to hungry village kids.

     The truth is, all of this is considered missions. But working at your local food bank, volunteering in kids ministry, or even having a simple conversation with the coffee shop barista is also a mission. 

    It's easy to think of missions as something that is only possible elsewhere. You never generally consider saying "thank you" at the grocery store as part of a mission. 

    Think about that verse above. It says "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you". Does that mean that when you're saved, you suddenly gain some supernatural power to go on mission trips? No, but it does mean that you've committed to the mission of the Gospel.     

    A lot of the time, "mission trips" get categorized as something that happens when you go overseas or out of state, or maybe to a neighboring town to help with something. But missions can happen in your backyard, at the grocery store, and even within your church. 

    This was one of Jesus' last commands to His followers on Earth; so shouldn't this be one of our first priorities?

    When He references Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, Jesus isn't just naming random places. Jerusalem was their home city. Judea, which was the surrounding area, and Samaria as the geographically hard to reach places. And of course, the ends of the earth. The apostles took this literally, because it was what applied to them. We can also use this part as an interpretation of our "mission field". 

    Now friends, don't think I'm saying you can interpret the Bible however you see fit. The Bible had a meaning when it was written, and it is still the same now. However, we can draw similarities between our own lives and the lives of Christ's followers back then.

    So when I say "I believe all Christians are called to missions", that doesn't mean I think we suddenly need to start going out in droves. While the workers on the field are absolutely necessary, the people back home are too. Without sending churches or sending programs, many missionaries would be lost. Even by staying home, you're supporting the cause for missions. The money in the offering that goes towards missions, the prayers you say silently for those in countries they aren't able to say, or even the sweet texts you send someone as a reminder that you're thinking of them. People on the mission field are absolutely essential, but that doesn't mean the role of the people at home should be diminished either.

    So going forward, I have a simple challenge for you; rather, a question. What is your mission field? Who is your mission field? Answering this might require you to change your view a little bit, and broaden your horizons. Be kind, smile at strangers, but above all, remember the mission of the Gospel.