Until All Have Heardنموونە

Growing up, cricket was one of the most important sports to play after school in my neighbourhood. As kids, we would leave our parents’ home to play cricket on the street, which would in turn lead to us being away from home for many hours and even into the night. In typical village fashion, our parents would send messages to us through people walking on the street indicating that we should come home. Of course, we ignored each messenger until a parent came themself. It would not matter whose parent it was, we all knew we were in trouble as the adults lived by the principle, “It takes a village to raise a child.” From there, these famous words would be heard: “If you don’t hear you will feel”, followed by some sort of discipline. As adults, we can look back at this and laugh with our parents and neighbours, but today, as a follower of Jesus, those words make me wonder how people learn and shape behaviours when words aren’t enough.

"Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (MSG)

The call to share the gospel, to ensure that all have heard, is not just about reaching out with words — it is about embodying a life that reflects Christ’s love and truth in every encounter. Jesus, who lived among us as fully God and fully human, offers us a model of how to be present with others in a way that brings grace into their lives. As followers of Jesus, we are tasked with sharing His message, but it begins with how we engage with the people around us before we speak of salvation or offer wisdom.

The gospel wasn’t meant to stay within church walls but to reach those in everyday spaces — village corners, workplaces, coffee shops and social gatherings. By embodying Christ’s love and grace in these places, we make God’s love visible.

Like Jesus, who entered people's lives with no agenda other than to love them and reconcile them to the Father, we reflect God's heart when we offer kindness, patience and attentiveness. This allows others to encounter the gospel in a more profound way than through mere words.

As Jesus followers, our role is not to judge or condemn, but to offer the same grace we've received. Ultimately — through our actions and not just our words — we offer the world a chance to experience God’s love, one person at a time, until all have heard.

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Shivan* originates from the Caribbean and is a first-generation follower of Jesus in his family line and engages in education and community development. Previously, he worked in the oil and gas industry, where he came to know Christ. Shivan currently serves with OM’s Ship Ministry and OM International.

*name changed