Global GospelSample

Go, Learn, and Be with Them

BY EUGENIO RESTREPO

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20, NIV)

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, he wasn’t just sending his followers on a mission trip. He was inviting them into a lifestyle marked by presence, learning, mutual respect, and the boldness to share hope in every culture and context. In San Juan La Laguna, a lakeside town in Guatemala, this passage came to life for me in unexpected and beautiful ways.

We visited Melinda Anderson, a global worker who teaches English and leads with humility in this Tz'utujil Mayan community. San Juan is a place of vibrant artistry, famous for its women’s weaving cooperatives, natural dye workshops, and galleries bursting with color and meaning. But more than that, it is a place where hope and vision stir in the hearts of the young.

We sat around a long table, which the restaurant owners graciously extended beyond Melinda’s order, sharing a meal with young adults from her English class. They were bright and full of conviction, and they spoke with courage about the future they longed to see in their community. We talked about environmental challenges, such as the pollution of Lake Atitlán and the urgent need for sustainable development, recycling, and cleanup efforts. But the conversation didn’t stop at problems; it shifted to solutions, dreams, possibilities, and change.

In those moments, the Great Commission didn’t feel like a task to accomplish. It felt like a relationship to cultivate. Jesus didn’t call us to go to people merely to teach them; he called us to go with him, to live and learn among people, and to reflect his love and truth in ways that honor their dignity and wisdom.

As I listened, I was reminded that discipleship often begins with a shared meal, a listening ear, and the humility to learn from those we are called to serve. Those young adults weren’t just students; they were teachers, visionaries, and leaders in the making. Their passion for their land, their language, and their people reflected the kind of discipleship Jesus modeled, rooted in justice, community, and transformation.

Jesus ends the Great Commission with a promise: “I am with you always.” In San Juan La Laguna, I saw that promise fulfilled, not just in our presence but in the Spirit moving through shared stories, open hearts, and hope-filled conversations. Christ was at that table with us, breaking bread, inspiring vision, and reminding us that we’re never alone in this work.

Reflection Questions

• Where have you seen Jesus’s mission being fulfilled around you or through you?
• Which part of Luke 4:18–19 resonates most with the calling God has placed on your life?
• What would it look like to step into that mission in your community?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling us into your mission as companions of your presence. Help us to go with humility, to listen deeply, and to love boldly. May we learn from those we meet, and may your Spirit lead us into meaningful relationships that reflect your kingdom on earth. Amen.