In many churches, there seems to be a wide disparity in missional culture. 

Some churches have a robust sending network – they have multiple short term trips every year, support multiple career missionaries on the field and frequently have new missionary candidates being appointed and sent out. Other churches rarely send out short-term missionaries, support very few long-termers and have appointed only a handful of new, long-term workers. 

Some might argue that this is simply a result of the size of the church, that small churches do not have the programs, discipleship or resources to consistently appoint and support missionaries. They reason that large churches can continue to send missionaries internationally, while small churches should look locally and strictly do ministry in their local context. 

Thus, churches often specialize: either focus internationally and neglect their community or focus on their community and neglect the global advancement of the gospel. This idea may sound logical and appealing, but it’s not biblical. 

In Acts 1:8 (ESV), the Lord Jesus Christ gives us his method for the advancement of his kingdom: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Lord’s method for the spread of his gospel is that his followers, empowered and guided by the Spirit, would be everywhere all at once. God’s glorious plan of redemption extends to every family of the earth, so why should we, as his servants, settle for anything less? 

Every church has a crucial role to play in fulfilling the Great Commission. Some churches may send more missionaries than others or offer more short-term trips, but every church can and should have a culture where God’s heart for all people is front and center; where every believer is active in fulfilling the Great Commission. 

Over the next few articles, I will recommend small steps churches can take in order to build a more missional culture. These are small, simple ideas, but over time, can grow to change lives and reach many people for Christ.

Disclaimer: All these ideas may be uncomfortable, they may challenge the existing structures in your church. They may lead you to slightly change your Sunday Service order, or begin opening your doors on a random Tuesday for a small group, or, even, setup Zoom meetings at random times, etc. 

In all this, we need to remember what Christ sacrificed for the people we are doing this for. Our Lord suffered the penalty of sin, so that all people might be saved and have eternal life in him. If we are not willing to forego our comfort so that others might know him, then we need to examine our hearts. 

1. Pray together for unreached peoples 

This first one is simple, yet has so much opportunity and potential. 

I have heard many stories about how when believers pray specifically for an unreached people group, the Lord brings that people group to those praying! 

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul exhorts Timothy: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭ESV‬‬).

 Despite how we feel sometimes, our obedience and faithfulness in prayer does matter.

Practically speaking, this could be really simple. If your church has a weekly prayer meeting, devote part of the time to praying for unreached peoples and the missionaries among them. 

Another option could be to start a small prayer group. Dedicating, even, 10-15 minutes before or after a Sunday service to pray for the lost will be very impactful. From the pulpit, you could take a few moments each Sunday to highlight a different unreached people group, and then pray for them. However you do it, do it together. When people see leaders (official or unofficial) being passionate for the lost, it spreads.

2. Start a “for the nations” small group

I call this a “for the nations” small group, because there is a lot of confusion about missions. This small group should focus on God’s heart for all families, all nations, all peoples of the world (Genesis 12:3, Revelation 7:9-10). 

We must emphasize reaching the lost where there are no churches established, and praying for God to raise up natives who are strong enough to reach their people. There are many great resources and materials for this type of study. I would recommend checking out The Traveling Team and their website, which has many of these resources. 

3. Preach about the Great Commission

This one applies specifically to pastors. I’m not saying every Sunday sermon should be on Matthew 28:18-20, or a topical study on the Great Commission throughout the Bible. That would be ridiculous, and even injurious to discipleship in many other important areas.

So many pastors are phenomenal at weaving the gospel into almost every sermon they preach. They may only mention the gospel for a minute or two, but they relate the passage being discussed to the Good News. 

In the same way, pastors can, and should, relate the passage being discussed to the Great Commission. As Jesus’s final words on earth, the Great Commission is our command and requires our obedience. By continually weaving the Great Commission into sermons, pastors can emphasize that it is a vital part of our responsibility as followers of Christ. 

With billions of lost people around the world, and millions lost at home, it can quickly feel like there’s nothing we can do to divert spiritual darkness. 

In Matthew 14, Jesus takes a measly five loaves and two fish and feeds thousands of people – with plenty of leftovers! 

The point is this: When we give a little, Jesus multiplies it so it will be more than enough. Although the suggestions in this article may seem small and insignificant, God will greatly multiply any effort we make – any effort you make.

A promise we know to be true by God’s very Word: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21, ESV).

“Missions Minded” is a new monthly column written by Jack Elliot, Missions Mobilizer for Nehemiah Teams. Each month, Jack will explore a different topic or spiritual discipline and relate it to the field of missions – a field close to his heart! For any questions or more information about how you and your church can get involved in impacting the nations, please feel free to contact Jack at jctn@protonmail.com.