Why missions?

This time of year is when we as a church, look at missions and help to encourage support for our missionaries. This may be supporting those who have answered the call to go abroad and live in another country to teach and spread the Good News of Jesus. It may be missionaries, like myself, who take those short term trips to work alongside those missionaries in other countries or stateside. Or it may be those that do missions right here, in their own community, state or neighborhood. Wherever you are, when you speak truth to someone about Jesus and the gift he has given us, you are a missionary. 

I have done both abroad and at home. No matter where you are, it is scary to talk to people about your beliefs and what Jesus has to give them. You don't know how they will react to what you say or what they will say to you. But you have to have the courage to do it and it only comes from God.  I have talked before about why I feel drawn to go on mission. I am asked why do I go abroad and not stay in my own country, state and speak of the good news. Look at the picture above. This is one of the homes on our prayer walk in Honduras. I went out into the remote parts of Honduras, the countryside, to meet and talk with them about the gospel. I have been in some small communities in Honduras that have never heard of Jesus or the gospel. Some people stay in the states while others feel compelled to go abroad. Some cannot afford to take the short-term mission trips abroad, but are able to go within the states to mission. Every interaction is a mission with people and is an opportunity to tell the good news. But today at church, we were given numbers of people in countries and how many believers. I was shocked. This is why those that feel the pull of God to go and answer the call to be sent, THEY GO. Let me break it down for you. 

• United States 341,419,000 people; 90,419,667 believers  
• China 1,407,652,000 people; 106,418,491 believers
• South Korea 51,663,000 people; 8,452,066 believers
• France 64,704,000 people; 795,859 believers
• Somalia 18,643,000 people; 156,601 believers
• Lebanon 5,176,000 people; 36,749 believers
• Tajikistan 10,281,000 people, 7,196 believers
• Oromo people, Somalia 104,000 people; 312 believers
• Wolof people, Senegal 246,000 people, 246 believers
• Bedovin people, Lebanon 52,000 people; 52 believers
• Malay people, Madagascar 37,000 people, 37 believers
• Bunu people China 428,000 people; no know believers.
• Uzbek people, Kazakhstan 558,000 people, no know believers
• Arora people, India 4,532,000 people, no know believers

NO KNOWN BELIEVERS!!! Is it because they have heard and do not believe OR could it be because THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL? This is why missions is so important. To GO, teach and spread the news of Jesus. If you know Jesus, then we are his disciples and we need to be the first, second, 10th person to speak to that one person and let them know the gospel.

The bible says to be strong and courageous. This is for everything we do. Life is scary and when God calls you, it is even more scarier because when HE calls, it is something that will take you out of your comfort zone into the unknown. Believe me, God has taken me out of my comfort zone many times! When you feel called, be strong and courageous, trust and have faith, then GO!

Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". 

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

1 Peter 2:21 ESV "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

NOW, GO BE THE CHURCH 

Blessings to all,