Front Yard Mission

A wonderful woman came to speak at our church on Sunday. She's a missionary called to serve in Africa. She talked about the ever present "debate" of foreign missions versus local missions. People tend to ask why we need to go halfway around the world to tell people about Jesus when there are people right next door that need to hear about Jesus. Which I can understand, because it's certainly true. Not everyone will be called to foreign missions, and that's fine, but she asked the question, "So what are you doing?". If you acknowledge that there are people right next door that need to hear about Jesus, what are you doing to make sure they hear it?

We must be just as intentional about local missions as we are about foreign missions. It's okay if you don't feel called to go to Africa or Honduras or Asia..... as long as you are answering His call to be on mission where you currently are. This year, I'm spending a lot of time researching, studying, and finding resources for people who feel exactly that - like they are on mission right where they are. For those of us with kids, that means our own household is a mission field. It is our responsibility to raise children in a Christ-centered home.  It is our responsibility to lead by example, training them up in the way they should go, and praying for them every step of the way.  As parents, within our own home, there is a great responsibility to make disciples of our own children. 

As adults in general, we have a great opportunity to be on mission within our neighborhoods and communities.  I can't walk up and down my street and tell you much about my neighbors.  Nor could they tell others much about me.  That's a problem.  How are we spreading the good news of Jesus Christ if we don't do much more than a friendly wave or quick nod of the head before hurrying back inside our home?  We must be more intentional than that.  We must step outside our comfort zones, outside of our yards, and GO.  If that means go to the end of the block rather than go to the other side of the world, then so be it, but do it with purpose.  Be intentional.  Be bold.  Be a light for others to see.  It doesn't take much to strike up a conversation with a neighbor, it doesn't take long to build a friendship, and that all opens the door for sharing some of the most important, significant news they'll ever hear.  We cannot sit at church waiting for non-believers to come to us and call that "local missions".  We must go to them and meet them where they are.