Is Every Christian Called to “Go”?

Posted by Jimi Williams on May 24, 2011 | 1 comment

Recently, I was reading a popular Christian book about living a radical life for Christ. Much of the writer’s point was how selfish we are sometimes, lavishing ourselves with nice homes and macked out church buildings, as we ignore the needs of others in far away places. While I agree with most of the writer’s points, I don’t believe that things are as black and white as he states.

I particularly differ with him on his idea that every Christian is called to serve abroad in foreign missions. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in foreign missions and taking the Gospel “to the ends of the earth”. I also believe Scripture compels us to stand up for the poor and care for the orphans. I’ve been on mission trips to Romania and Nicaragua. And my son Christian and I are leaving for Haiti this Friday with a team from the Bridge. So, I strongly support foreign missions. But I also know that it takes the whole Church to make foreign missions happen. That means for those who can “go”, there are many more at home who “send” them.

For our upcoming trip, Christian and I received money from Bridge givers along with several family members and friends. If it weren’t for those generous folks, this trip would not happen. So, even though those folks aren’t “going”, in a sense they are going.

When Jesus said to the 11 disciples in Matthew 28 to “go and make disciples of all nations”, I believe he was talking to the Church at large. And God has equipped the Church with every gift necessary to to carry out this task. He has given some the gift of evangelism, some of the gift giving, some the gift of teaching, some the gift of helping. So for every missionary that serves in a foreign land, there are multiple missionaries at home that have made a way for them.

Therefore, this Friday the Church is going on a mission trip. We will celebrate together the great things that God does as a result. We do missions together.

Jimi Williams
Worship Pastor, The Bridge