Week 3, Day 5: God Wants Each of Us to Participate in Cross-Cultural Missions

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 66:19; Romans 1:5; Matthew 28:19-20; Psalms 67:3-4; 86-9; Rev 7:7

I have already said in this devotional that God has called each of us to be a missionary to our local sphere of influence. This is a mandate that every Christian needs to obey.  Equally important is the truth that God has called each one of us to participate in cross cultural world missions.  God has promised and is deeply passionate about seeing His name glorified in every people group on the planet. Once again, as his people, it is our great privilege to be his hands and feet in this endeavor.

John Piper says, “When it comes to world missions, there are only three kinds of Christians: zealous goers, zealous senders, and disobedient ones.” Some of us will actually be zealous goers and become long-term cross-cultural missionaries. Those of us who are not zealous goers will hopefully be zealous senders.  The only other option is to be a disobedient Christian, which essentially means you are not participating in any way in what God is doing around the world to touch the nations.

What is a zealous sender? A zealous sender is someone who has come to the realization that they are not called to be a career cross-cultural missionary. However, they have devoted themselves to doing whatever they can to see the great commission completed in other lands.  They will intentionally pursue developing relationships and connection with missionaries. They will commit to pray for missionaries and their work. Their checkbook demonstrates their heart for world evangelization through generous sacrificial giving. They seek to go on short-term trips to assist those on the field and the people they are serving so they gain a greater heart for the ministry.  A zealous sender is someone who takes personal responsibility and carries a burden for the people groups God has led them to be involved with.  They cry out to God on their behalf and boldly declare that these people belong to God and He will have an inheritance among them. A zealous sender says I’m not called to go, but I’m going to do everything within my power to see the name of Jesus proclaimed and honored among the nations.

Grace church has been blessed in the area of world missions. Not only have we sent out long-term missionaries from Grace, but we also have numerous strategic partnerships with missionaries all over the world.  This has come about because the church has made world missions a priority.  Through our annual Global Impact Celebration and Advance the Kingdom offering we have raised awareness and funds and given the opportunity to develop meaningful connection with missionaries.

I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities here at Grace and get involved. If you already are, then praise God and continue to be a zealous sender. If you have not been involved, now is the time to jump in.  Look into developing relationships and gaining knowledge about our ministry partners. Start praying and make a plan to invest financially into the ATK.  Get involved; it’s an eternal investment and a great way to serve the world!