Often many of us as Christians dismiss “missionary work” for those who are called to serve “in the field,” terms that are used to describe those who live and minister in developing nations, far away from the wealthy cultures of developed nations. Many of us, in our naiveté, create a romantic picture of those whom we think have sacrificed middle class life to serve the Lord in remote places. The fact is this is wholly inadequate to describe God’s mission and each and every believer’s place in serving the Lord faithfully.

My sixth foundation is that obeying the Lord and living for him through renewal means serving the mission of God. To be missional means to live and act in such a way that the transformational power of the gospel is seen and encountered by others whom we meet and know. Furthermore, as the people of God, we go out of our way to make the most of every opportunity to tell and show forth the reality of the new creation.

God’s mission is to redeem for himself those whom he has chosen to receive salvation, in doing so to enable His chosen people to become conformed to the image of the Son. As a result they will bring glory to His name and glory to His Son, Jesus Christ. Being missional is to join with faith in the purpose plan of God to bring restoration to this broken and needy world.

The people of God are sent by the Lord to fulfill His purpose in the world. Jn 20:21, In the words of Jesus to the disciples: “As the Father sent me so I am sending you.” The people of God are sent to live by the message of the cross, to die to self and live in resurrection life. The people of God are sent in community, as a body of many parts brought together to have one voice. A community that has the marks of transformation upon it and is identified by the love of God, an accepting love and a compassionate love. The people of God are sent into every culture, from cities to rural communities, to other nations, even to the ends of the earth.

The means by which the mission of God is fulfilled is through discipleship. Matt 28:19-20: “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.”

The Church is sent for the King and His Kingdom (Matt 10:7; 25:34; Luke 4:43; Rev 11:15–17; Jer 10:7; John 18:36).

Let us ever remember our place in the unfolding storyline of the purpose of God for His creation and our place in fulfilling His mission to save those he has chosen and bring glory to the Son. We can lean into this world with confidence knowing that as we do we fulfill the mission of God.

At New Covenant Church, with the aid of our covenant partners in Troy MO and Olive Branch MS, we support foreign mission endeavors to make disciples. Living Hope International, founded by pastor Mike Hayden, is the ministry arm of the church that helps the poor and impoverished, supporting the needy in central Africa and Eastern India. Covenant Leadership Training Institute, founded by Dr. Steve Ottolini, is for the equipping of burgeoning Christian leaders to prepare them for the ministry. If you desire to partner with us in serving the Lord and the fulfillment of the great commission of Matt 28, please contact us at NCC directly.

Phil 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Go to Foundation 7 to read more.