Reaching the World, the Whole World

A focus on missions, if it is biblical, is a focus on the entire world. It is a focus that includes intentional efforts to reach across town and across seas. Notice the word and in the previous sentence. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to "make disciples of all nations". In Acts 1:8, he said: "But you will receive power when the Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." These and other verses show clearly that when it comes to missions Jesus intends for us to think globally.

One intriguing feature of Acts 1:8 is its layout of the world in terms of "Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth". These locations represent the home area, the larger region in which the home area is situated, and then finally everywhere else on the planet. What this tells us is that Jesus intends for us to be involved and intentional in reaching all three with the Gospel. It is a matter of obedience. It would be disobedience to leave out any of the three.

At Hamilton Hills, we are seeking to obey the Lord's commission regarding our home area through a variety of ministries. At the top of the list is the FAITH Sunday School and Evangelism strategy. Through FAITH we are seeking to equip our church family with the knowledge and skills to share Christ with others whom they encounter on a daily basis here locally. We also are participating in intentional efforts to evangelize others in the larger regional area. For example, our support for an organization like Fellowship of Christian Athletes is being used to take the Gospel into secondary schools all over the Indy area. FCA actually has a goal of presenting the Gospel to every high school student in our State. Finally, we also are participating in a number of intentional efforts to reach other parts of the world beyond the borders of the US. I haven't ever taken the time to add them, but I am confident the number of countries we have been some small part of reaching for Christ over the last 20 years as a church would number perhaps as high as twenty, perhaps a little higher.

The commands Jesus gave to reach the world are sometimes known collectively as "The Great Commission". They are, if you please, the last will and testament of our Lord prior to his Ascension. It gives me no greater joy than to be leading a church family that is so responsive to what the Lord wants for our intentional involvement in reaching the world.