Go: A 40-Day Journey To The Never ReachedSample

A Church with a Heart for Missions

By: Dan Betzer

Every spring I am in Israel. In the early 1970s the administrator of the Garden Tomb agreed to let me go alone to the grave at four a.m.; I wanted to experience the mindset of Mary and the others on resurrection morning.

I sat in darkness and waited for the sun to rise behind the Mount of Olives. In my imagination, I saw Mary and her friends carefully wending their way to the tomb with anointing spices. But there was no body for them to anoint—only a living, resurrected King of Glory. His message to the trembling women still reverberates in the heart of every Spirit-filled believer:

“Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me” (Matthew 28:10 KJV).

The command is still pertinent: Go tell the world! It is repeated often in the New Testament.

How did the women respond? With prompt obedience. They came to worship, but how valid is worship without obedience? In, John 14:15, Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” How can professing believers sing worship choruses yet refuse to support missions? 

People often say, “I understand the importance of missions, and I am praying about it!” Really? Praying about it? 

Obedience requires lots of faith. For decades, I’ve preached faith and missions. On the last week of our annual missions convention, we receive faith promises for the coming year. Our missions emphasis involves everyone; adults, youth and children. 

This world view—passion to tell the story of Jesus to those who have never heard—is contagious. People respond in ways that push our prayer, giving, and going to a whole new level.

Fear keeps us from obedience. Rather than doing what Jesus commanded, we moan, “How will I pay my bills? Where will I get the funds?” But, as Jesus told the women at the tomb, “Don’t be afraid! Go Tell!”

Go Tell!

Share your passion for missions and your burden for the lost with another individual or group. Share missionary stories with your small group. If you think about it, you’ll come up with many opportunities.

Pray 

Never reached People Group: The Khalka of Mongolia

Pray for believers at work among the Khalka, that they and their families may have wisdom, courage, stamina, provision, favor, and grace as ambassadors of Christ’s love.