Why Missions? by Gene Dahmes
Why Missions? By Gene Dahmes
Traditionally Evangelical churches have had a branch of their ministry they refer to as: Missions. For those who are not familiar with such a term it may sound strange. “Missions? What can that mean?” To add to the confusion it is common for churches to talk about their mission, which refers to their reason for existence. So, the church will speak of their mission, and then they have something called, “missions.” Are the two related? Yes they are related, but they are not identical. A church does well to express its mission (reason for existence) and as a part of that definition the same church may engage in what they call mission work.
- A church’s mission is a broad category referring to all that local church will do to bring glory to God and advance the cause of Christ.
- Missions in a church, in contrast, refers to how that church will reach people for Christ by crossing cultural boundaries. This will involve evangelism, baptizing, discipling, and the planting of new churches. It will also include helping those in need, the poor and suffering, always with the goal of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Missions, or Cross Cultural Ministry, is a means of fulfilling what is commonly called the Great Commission which appears in each of the 4 gospels. This enjoins us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Today it is common to refer to “missions” as Cross Cultural Ministry. There are 17,281 people groups on this planet with each one having its own culture. Of these, 7,246 (42%) are considered unreached for the gospel of Christ. Christ commanded believers to take His gospel and reach all people groups in the world. Cross cultural ministry means we recognize various cultures. We do not attempt to change those cultures, we seek to share the gospel with them and see people come to faith in Christ. Together in Christ, as the Apostle Paul writes, we become one new people, members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19).
Still the question is asked, “Why engage in cross cultural ministry?” Consider 4 compelling reasons:
- Christ has called us to cross cultural ministry. Church is really not about us, but about the Lord. Our concern as Christ followers must be obedience to the Lord. Jesus said, “I am sending you” (John 20:21).
- The love of Christ constrains us to engage in cross cultural ministry. Those who know the Lord will want others to have the same relationship with Him. Christ’s love compels us because we know He died for everyone. Therefore we must not live for ourselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). We long to share His love with all peoples.
- The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world. Oh my but our world is a mess! We are aware of deep division, people almost seem to enjoy harboring hatred, hope is more a wish than reality, and wickedness grows stronger. What can be done? Surely, political elections will not provide the needed answer. But as Christians we know the answer. God’s Word describes the situation: we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.It is sad how accurate this is. Jesus is our peace. He kills the hostility between people groups and reconciles us to one another and to God (Ephesians 2:14-16). This message of peace is literally the only hope for our world, and it must be proclaimed (Ephesians 2:17).
- Eternity is real, heaven is real. There is one final reason to add for us to engage in cross cultural ministry. As believers in Christ we are convinced that eternity is real. And, we are fully persuaded, without any reservation whatsoever, that heaven is real. Through faith in Christ we know we will enjoy eternity in heaven with God. And we also recognize that those who do not know the Lord will not enjoy eternity. That knowledge should bother us and motivate us to act. Right now 42% of the world has not been reached with the gospel of Christ to say nothing about whether they have saving faith. They do not even possess the gospel in their culture to be able to consider the claims of the gospel. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? (Romans 10:14). The message of Romans chapter 10 is that someone must be sent to preach the gospel to them. That is the call of cross cultural ministry.
Why missions? Because so many people need to hear about Christ. The Mission Team of LivingWaters Church exists to mobilize, coach, and lead the body of LivingWaters Church to fulfill the Great Commission bringing the refreshing message of the Gospel of grace to all people and making disciples for the glory of God.
