When you think about missionaries in Scripture, the first one to come to mind is often the apostle Paul. Paul’s ministry model was life on mission for the gospel. Everywhere he went and every person he met provided an opportunity for the spread of the gospel, whether he was close to home or traveled far away, preached in the synagogue, or labored in his daily work as a tentmaker.
In Acts 16, we see that Paul did not wait until the Spirit told him to “Go.” He went until the Spirit told him to “Stop.”
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. (Acts 16:6-7)
Instead of waiting for the Lord to tell him to “Go,” Paul believed he was already to “Go and make disciples.” So he went until the Lord told him to “Stop.” Too often, we are the opposite.
“Are you sure, really sure, God that I am supposed to have this conversation?”
“Is now really the right time to share what you have done for me, God?”
Paul’s example holds true for Christians and churches today. We have the responsibility to take the gospel to our neighbors, to our coworkers, and to the world. We have already been told to “Go.” As Charles Spurgeon put it, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
John Stott said, “We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, ‘What has happened to the salt and light?” We, and the people we serve, are called by God to be salt and light in the world.
That every Christian will live on mission in their everday lives is the heartbeat of Send North America and their 2015 conference, something I’m excited to be a part of. A movement is stirring in the hearts of individuals, communities and cities of North America to live intentionally on mission for the sake of the gospel. In response, the church is gathering for two days of powerful worship and mission at this year’s Send North America Conference 2015, Aug. 3-4 in Nashville.
I am excited about leading a breakout session at this year’s conference. I am excited about hearing from incredible leaders such as David Platt, Russell Moore, and Eric Mason who seek to serve and mobilize God’s people to reach their communities through their everyday lives. We desire for the entirety of the church — business people, soccer moms, students, lawyer — to join us in this movement. We believe every life on mission matters. What matters most is the gospel and sharing it with others.
This Aug. 3-4, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena will be filled with thousands who believe their Life On Mission is a vital part of God’s plan. Find out more about how you can join me at the Send North America Conference 2015.
