“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”.
1 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
Whether sending or going, every Christian can play their part in mobilising the body of Christ to reach unreached people groups. Want to chat about how you might play your part? Get in touch with us at www.unreached.network/contact-us.
This blog post is part of a series. You can read the Introduction and parts 1 and 2 here.
Sending
It has provocatively been said; ‘Go, send or disobey’ (maybe a discussion starter for your next home group?). Do you agree or is it just a soundbite to make you feel bad? Assuming that at least the sentiment behind it is good, how can we go, in the broadest sense, whether we physically move or actively send?
For those called to stay in their own countries, how can you invest your time and resources to promote the kingdom beyond your borders? Do you have overseas workers on your prayer list? Are you up to date with their news? Have you written to them recently? Do you meaningfully contribute to their lives through friendship or finance? Have you heard their name at a church prayer meeting recently? Is there anything you could do to promote what they are doing amongst your church friends?
Going
For those called to cross borders and serve cross-culturally, where do you start? This is a big question that isn’t answered in a paragraph! However, starting with your church is good advice. You are going to need their care and support when you’re away.
According to the Bible translators, Wycliff, there are: 7,000+ languages in the world and more than 4000 of them have no portion of scripture in their language This means that a staggering 1.5bn people don’t have the bible in their language. Use this fact to fuel prayer for people to train and go and don’t discount what God might be calling you into as you pray. Don’t underestimate your place and your role as the light of the world where you are or where you might end up.
The Unreached Network has developed training and resources to help equip churches to prepare and support those working cross culturally. You can find out more at www.unreached.network, or get in touch for mentoring, networking or an exploratory conversation.
There are many other excellent and reputable organisations with years of experience. We don’t want to be prescriptive in how you work out your journey but think about a group’s statement of faith, how important denominational style is to you, where the weight of responsibility lies for you on field, whether you are required to raise a minimum income and what training is offered. Meeting with those who will support you will give you a much better sense of how you will get on with them than an email conversation.
However you do it, we encourage you to play your part. Send, or Go.
“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? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””
Romans 10:14-1 (NIV)
This blog post is part of a series. You can read the Introduction and parts 1 and 2 here.
The Unreached Network works with Newfrontiers churches to help engage unreached people groups all across the globe. The Unreached Network is a hub of encouragement, good practice, resources, cross-cultural training, prayer, raising awareness while supporting those who are sending and church planting. Our main agenda is to keep the priority of reaching unreached people groups on the agenda for our Newfrontiers family of churches. Connect with us to find out more about how we can support you as you explore how you can also play your part. www.unreached.network/contact-us.