𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
As Christian missionaries, we are called to spread the Gospel to all corners of the earth. However, there is a tendency among many mission organisations, especially larger ones, to focus their efforts on major cities. These urban centers, with their high profiles and opportunities for acclaim and funding, often overshadow the smaller towns, rural villages and hamlets where vast populations reside.
Jesus' command in the Great Commission does not limit us to the bustling streets of metropolitan areas. His directive was inclusive of "all nations," a mandate that encompasses not just cities but also the remote and often overlooked regions of the world.
In Luke 14:23, Jesus tells a parable where the master instructs his servant: "Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full." This verse challenges us to extend our reach beyond the comfort and convenience of urban missions. It is a call to engage with people in the highways and byways, in the brick kiln yards, amidst rural poverty, and in every place where the lost and the needy dwell.
Are we, as mission organisations and individual missionaries, willing to venture into less glamorous fields? Are we prepared to forsake the acclaim of the city for the quiet, unseen work in the countryside? The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 10:14-15, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?"
We must evaluate our mission goals and methodologies. Are we truly fulfilling the Great Commission if we neglect the smaller towns and rural areas? The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37). There is a vast mission field waiting beyond the city limits, among those who may never set foot in a city church.
Action Points:
1. Expand Your Vision: Revisit your mission strategies to include rural and underserved areas. Ensure that your outreach programs are not confined to urban centres.
2. Resource Allocation: Direct funds and resources to support mission work in small towns and villages. Invest in training and equipping missionaries who are called to these regions.
3. Partnerships: Collaborate with local churches and organisations in rural areas. Build relationships and empower local believers to continue the work.
4. Prayer and Support: Commit to praying for the forgotten and the unseen. Seek God's guidance and support for missionaries serving in challenging environments.
https://lnkd.in/gHw23r3e
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Vice Postulator for Sainthood Cause of Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of KofC at Knights of Columbus
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