When you think of the word “missions”, you might think of a person trekking through the mountains of Nepal, going to South Asia to share the gospel, or helping in poor nations in Africa. Although all of these things are vital aspects of missions, there is more that goes into making disciples among the nations. Teamwork in missions is key. Therefore, everyone is vital in completing the Great Commission!
Think about what would happen if the entire world stopped what they were doing and went overseas to a different nation. Although it would be cool, who would fund them? Who would send them? Likewise, what would happen if everyone just prayed for people to be sent out, but no one actually went? There are many aspects of missions, and every person in the body of Christ, whether you are overseas or not, plays a vital role in reaching the lost and making Jesus’ name famous in the earth.
What role are you playing? Let’s take a look at five roles we can play while working together in missions, and how you can be involved too!
1. Raising Awareness
The first way to be involved in missions is by sharing the need with others! If no one shares the need, no one will go! How will people know to give money to missions or to send people out if they are not informed of the need? It is because of people who are passionate about raising awareness that people choose to devote their life to reaching the lost.
How to get involved
There are so many ways to raise awareness of the need for missions. If you have a heart and passion for communicating God’s heart for the world, ask to speak at your church or youth group! Start a blog or social media page. Film a video. Host a “missions night” and invite people over. The possibilities are endless.
Global Frontier Missions released a great video to educate the public about the remaining task and the need for missions. It is an awesome resource to share with your circle of influence!
Check it out HERE:
If you love speaking to groups of people, have a social media presence, or have passion to see other people grasp God’s heart for the lost and inform them of the task remaining, raise awareness for missions!
2. Giving
Another area to serve in missions is through giving. Teamwork in missions is especially key in this area. People who have committed their life to be overseas are funded by people who have chosen to partner with them in their work! However, if no one gives, how will they go? Similarly, if no one goes, who will they give to?
Our ministry here at YWAM Redding stands because of generous people who have chosen to partner with our vision. Each of our staff is able to remain here with us because of the same reason. These aspects of missions go hand in hand!
Giving can be done in many different ways. Giving to a church that sends and supports missionaries is a great place to invest. Other options are to reach out to a missionary you might know and ask them if you can partner with them. You can even give to a missions organization, like YWAM! If you don’t know where to give, just ask the Lord, and trust that he will show you!
This is a perfect way to be involved if you are not in a position to go overseas, God has blessed you financially to be a blessing to others, or if you are passionate about generosity and investing into the kingdom!
3. Praying
One of the most important aspects of missions is the prayer and intercession that fuels the work missionaries do.
Jesus says in Matthew 9:38 “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Paul also asks for prayer from the Church at Ephesus while he is preaching the Gospel in prison in Rome: “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel..” (Ephesians 6:19)
Paul asked for prayer because He knew that it was essential to the work that he was doing. This principle should stand for all of us!
You can pray from anywhere! Be intentional and ask to partner with a missionary or organization in prayer. Be available and willing to listen to the Holy Spirit if he tells you to pray, and know that your prayers are powerful.
Could you pray for an hour straight with no problem? Do you love listening to the voice of God and partnering with His will? If you are passionate about prayer, don’t be afraid to step up as an intercessor!
4. Mobilizing
Another way we work together in missions is through mobilization.
I love this quote from Fred Markert:
“Mobilization is the process of envisioning and educating God’s people about His strategic plans for the world, and it is the means of keeping them involved and moving forward until they find their specific place and role in world evangelization.”
This is something that YWAM Redding is passionate about. It is the heart of our Discipleship Training School– to train up revivalists to be sent out to the unreached. We are passionate about seeing people step into their God-given calling, which is why we are sending out two long-term teams this year!
One of the best ways to be involved in this area of missions is by working with a missions organization who is focussed on sending workers into the harvest! We would love to have you join our mission here in Redding.
Click here to learn more about us! > https://ywamunited.org/about/
Are you passionate about championing people? Do you love education and discipleship? Are you loyal and devoted to people? Mobilization might be the perfect aspect of missions for you.
5. Going
Lastly, all of these aspects of missions would have no point if there were not people willing to go. Jesus’ final words before he ascended to heaven was a commission to do this!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 28:18-20)
What is cool about the state of our world right now is that there are people from unreached nations living in nations that are reached. Even if you do not move overseas, you can be sharing with internationals right where you live! If you are ready to travel to the unreached areas of the world, do it! Join your church in a short term mission trip, or join us here at YWAM Redding for a Discipleship Training School and spend two months overseas sharing the gospel.
Are you passionate about communicating the gospel? Are you ready to move outside of your comfort zone? Does the thought of going where no one else has gone excite you? Maybe it is time to go to the nations.
What part are you playing?
Missions involves teamwork. As the body of Christ, we all work together for one common purpose. You are a vital part of that! Begin to seek the Lord and ask Him where He is calling you to serve. Surround yourself with people eager about missions, and dream together. There is so much in store for you, beyond what you can imagine. All you have to do it say “yes!”
Want to take a season to embrace your calling and find your purpose in the Great Commission? Join our community of like minded believers for a Discipleship Training School!