YES! Here are a few reasons why:
The Evangelism Gap
If you do the math, the large gap between the world population count and the total number of Evangelical Christians world-wide is astounding. There are over 6 billion people on planet earth and by the most lenient estimates, Evangelicals number approximately 600 million, leaving 5.5 billion destined for an eternal hell. The International Mission Board of the SBC (IMB) has less than 5000 missionaries on the field at any given time when you consider furloughs and medical leaves. Of course there are other Great Commission Christian (GCC) missionaries deployed throughout the world, but when it comes down to our responsibility as Southern Baptists, how much more effective could our missionaries be at bridging the evangelism gap if they could multiply themselves through the utilization of US volunteers?
IMB Strategy
In recent years, the IMB has recognized the immense potential for reaching the world by mobilizing volunteers, and their field strategy and structure reflects it. Field missionaries are encouraged to incorporate volunteers in their ministry plans, the VIM or Volunteers in Mission department was completely restructured and new positions added to facilitate a greater flow of volunteers into the field. IMB President, Dr. Jerry Rankin explains:
We have to recognize that we may never have enough missionaries to reach the massive number of lost throughout our world. We must see our task in terms of serving our churches and facilitating their involvement in mission strategies and sending missionaries. (link to source)
International Missions Opportunities
Modern air travel and communication have opened up unprecedented opportunities for volunteers to be intentionally involved in international missions. The Great Commission was not given to agencies or boards, but to the local church. International missionaries are not the “hired guns” of the churches, but rather missions professionals that can no more evangelize their area by themselves than a local pastor can do his job without lay volunteers. The Partnership Missions Department exists solely to serve KBC churches by helping provide opportunities to fulfill their need to be intentionally involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. There are many international requests waiting to be filled.
The Needs of Your Church
The Church was established by Jesus to be the vehicle that advances the gospel. At the same time, the gospel remains “unhindered” (Acts 28:31) and on the move. It will not remain idle simply because your church has stalled, no more than you would remain indefinitely stopped on the side of the highway because your vehicle stopped. You would find a way to continue your journey, and likewise, the gospel will find a church that will keep it advancing against the “gates of Hades” (Matthew 16-18).
These are but a few reasons why your church should go overseas. Perhaps you have a few more you’d like to share from your personal experience.
Secured by