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Response
World evangelism is the Christian mandate from Jesus known as the Great Commission. God’s heart for global evangelism is evident in Matthew 28:19, where it states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” With the world becoming more accessible, fulfilling this mandate is now more achievable. Advancements in air travel, satellites, and the internet have expanded the reach of evangelism like never before. Jesus entrusted this directive to every believer who professes to follow Him, underscoring the importance of finding ways to adhere to it.
The following are various ways in which every Christian can participate in global evangelism:
1. Personal evangelism. While it is crucial to focus on global needs, it is equally important not to overlook the needs in our immediate surroundings. While reaching out to regions like Africa, India, and China is significant, nurturing disciples among our neighbors and colleagues holds equal weight. Unfortunately, in today’s postmodern society, countries like the United States, which once revered the Bible, have now produced a generation largely unfamiliar with spiritual matters. Certain sectors of Western culture are as secular as some Third World communities. Without recognizing the mission field in our own neighborhoods, we may lack the impetus to support evangelism worldwide. Global evangelism commences within our local communities.
2. Prayer. Missionaries and local pastors rely on our prayers. They face physical challenges, life-threatening situations, and isolation as they dedicate their lives to fulfilling the Great Commission. While mission organizations offer support, a common plea from the field is “Remember us!” Particularly for those working in hostile or resistant regions, prayer plays a crucial role. When we intercede for them, we offer support and strength to those spreading the gospel.Those engaged in global evangelism, we can pray for the Lord to uplift them (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), provide for them, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19), grant them courage in sharing the gospel, “for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:20), and soften the hearts of their listeners to God’s truth (Acts 16:14; Ephesians 1:18). We can also pray that they do not lose heart in doing good, “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13), and that they continue to pursue their divine calling, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14).
Financial support. Contributing to missions is a crucial aspect of global evangelism. There are numerous ways to provide financial assistance to individuals and organizations actively involved in evangelism. Missionaries and local workers require financial backing from those who are called to support rather than go themselves, enabling them to focus entirely on their ministry. Before offering financial aid, it is essential to thoroughly research the recipient to ensure the funds are used responsibly, as credibility varies among recipients. When selecting a mission to support, seek endorsements from reputable sources, assess their track record, and review transparent financial reports. Familiarize yourself with their beliefs and understand the allocation of funds.1. Actual ministry as opposed to fundraising or overhead, and find verifiable testimonials of others associated with the ministry. Jesus was supported financially by those who believed in Him (Luke 8:2-3), and Paul was not shy about rebuking the churches that were not giving adequately to support God’s work among them (1 Corinthians 9:11-14;16:17;Galatians 6:6).
4. Online involvement. Due to the extent of the internet, more opportunities abound for becoming involved with world missions from the comfort of our own homes. Most major evangelistic/humanitarian organizations have websites that offer an array of support possibilities. From writing letters to imprisoned pastors to contributing biblical truths in chat forums, opportunities for world missions are often no farther than our fingertips. GotQuestions.org is one such organization. Through published articles and personal responses to questioners, we are able to reach millions around the world with God’s truth. A little bit of surfing will reveal dozens of online opportunities that allow willing Christians to follow Jesus’ command for world evangelism.
5. Go. For some, the call to world evangelism is deeply personal. In order to obey it, they leave everything familiar and follow Christ to remote lands, often to people groups who have never heard the gospel. Some mission organizations specialize in facilitating this radical obedience and send trained missionaries into places from which they may never return. For others, obedience to this call may mean a short-term commitment. Medical, architectural, and engineering teams often take time off from their own lives to invest their skills in places that would otherwise continue to suffer without them. They do so within a limited timeframe so that they can return to their regular positions and continue to provide for thTheir families and the ministries they financially support. Short-term mission trips are also opportunities for individuals considering full-time missions, enabling them to experience life in another culture and more precisely define God’s call on their lives.
Each of these opportunities is a way we can contribute to global evangelism. God has uniquely gifted each of His children, and it is crucial that we identify those gifts and utilize them to the fullest in service to Him (1 Peter 4:10;1 Corinthians 12:4). However, none of us can rightfully say, “Global evangelism is simply not my calling,” because it is a directive given by Jesus before He assigned any specific callings. Global evangelism is a universal commandment given to every disciple of Christ. As long as our hearts, calendars, and checkbooks are open to Him, He will reveal to each of us how we can contribute.
