Develop a Compelling Missions Program
This is part one of a series on how your church can develop a missions program.
“A local church that has lost its burden for souls is lost itself.” Those words by Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke echo in my heart. Inspiring stories of missionaries and visionary leaders, past and present, who chose to do the unordinary to achieve the extraordinary compel us to take God-ordained risks for unparalleled reaping of souls. If souls are not being saved, we have forgotten why Jesus died on the cross.
In recent communication, J. Hudson Taylor IV finished a note with, “May the Lord’s sufficient and effectual strength and grace be your daily testimony.” His very life illustrates that our Lord gives us daily strength and grace when our focus is on souls, to fulfill the Great Commission.
I read “The China Inland Mission” years ago, by his great-grandfather, the legendary J. Hudson Taylor. Taylor spent fifty-one years in China. The society he began was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to China, launching 125 schools, resulting in 18,000 Christian conversions. They established over 300 work stations with more than 500 local helpers in all eighteen provinces.
For four generations, the Taylor family has continuously spearheaded missionary leadership throughout China. What started as a small work with fewer than two dozen people during a national civil war has become the largest Christian community in the world. The 120 million Christians in China now outnumber the Communist Party!
More than four thousand years ago, one of the greatest missionary stories of all time changed history. From this God-ordained, real-life account comes successful steps necessary for any pastor to develop a compelling missions program in the local church.
In Genesis 24, we read five times “Good-Speed” or “success.” It means that God’s hand is upon His servants, helping them achieve what He wants them to achieve. In the familiar story, Abraham has a son of promise, Isaac. As Abraham was approaching the end of his journey, his sole desire was to obtain a bride for Isaac. God has a similar desire today, to get a bride for His Son, Jesus Christ. Who is the “bride of Christ”? The church.
Abraham sent his most trusted servant, Eleazar, to get the bride for Abraham’s son. Eleazar does not disappoint, but returns with beautiful Rebecca. Abraham typifies God the Father. Isaac typifies God the Son. Eleazar typifies God the Holy Spirit. What is the mission of God the Holy Spirit? To seek a bride. The Holy Spirit is working, calling out a bride for the Lord Jesus Christ. God prospered Eleazar and helped him to succeed, to complete the mission.
Likewise, God will grant us success as we build missions-minded churches for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
James O. Davis,
Founder of the Billion Soul Foundation
© 2009 Church of God World Missions
